This October, Miami Beach will witness the launch of an ambitious underwater art project as The ReefLine unveils its inaugural installation, "Concrete Coral" by renowned artist Leandro Erlich. The installation marks the beginning of a groundbreaking seven-mile underwater public sculpture park, snorkel trail, and hybrid reef system designed to combine artistic expression with environmental restoration.
Conceived by founder Ximena Caminos, The ReefLine represents an innovative approach to addressing climate change while creating new opportunities for public engagement with art. The project aims to restore a critical section of the Florida Reef Tract while establishing a unique cultural destination off the coast of Miami Beach. The prestigious architecture firm OMA, led by Shohei Shigematsu, developed the master plan for this unprecedented underwater cultural corridor.
Erlich's "Concrete Coral" installation features twenty-two full-scale automobile sculptures that will be submerged fifteen to twenty feet underwater at 4th Street off Miami Beach. These striking sculptures are cast in marine-grade concrete using 3D-printed molds, creating what appears to be an underwater traffic jam frozen in time. The artistic vision serves a dual purpose, providing both a thought-provoking commentary on modern life and essential infrastructure for coral growth and marine ecosystem development.
The project employs cutting-edge marine conservation technology, including Coral Lok, a patented attachment system that allows live corals to be seeded directly onto the car sculptures. This innovative approach is designed to accelerate natural reef development and create new habitats for marine life. Currently, 2,200 corals are being carefully cultivated at The ReefLine's Miami Native Coral Lab under the expert supervision of marine biologist Colin Foord, preparing for attachment to the underwater installations.
Beyond its artistic merit, the installation serves critical environmental functions as both biodiversity support and coastal protection infrastructure. The sculptures will act as a breakwater system, helping to protect Miami's vulnerable shoreline from erosion and the increasing threats posed by rising sea levels. This dual-purpose design exemplifies The ReefLine's commitment to hybridizing art, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship.
"Concrete Coral" represents just the first phase of The ReefLine's ambitious multi-installation project. Future phases will include "The Miami Reef Star" by artists Carlos Betancourt and Alberto Latorre, and "Heart of Okeanos" by Petroc Sesti. Each installation in the series is specifically designed to function as both compelling artwork and functional reef infrastructure, supporting the project's long-term environmental goals.
The ReefLine has set an ambitious target of planting one million corals throughout the project's lifespan, making it one of the most significant coral restoration initiatives in the region. The project benefits from the expertise of curatorial advisors including Brandi Reddick, Cultural Affairs Manager for the City of Miami Beach, and Jérôme Sanz, an independent curator. The fabrication of the concrete sculptures is being handled by Madco3D, specialists in marine-grade concrete construction. As Miami continues to grapple with the effects of climate change, The ReefLine offers a model for how art and environmental science can work together to create meaningful solutions while inspiring public awareness and engagement.
