Concrete Vehicles Plunged into the Sea to Renew Florida’s Coral Ecosystem

Off the shoreline of Miami Beach, a distinctive art installation has surfaced beneath the ocean: 22 life-sized concrete vehicles creating a submerged traffic jam. Conceptual artist Leandro Erlich conceived this work and unveiled it during Miami Art Week, titled “Concrete Coral,” which initiates the ReefLine, a 7-mile underwater sculpture park that merges ocean advocacy, site-specific art, and ecological restoration.

“Concrete Coral” employs marine-grade, pH-neutral concrete to encourage coral attachment, fitting well with ReefLine’s objective to revive Florida’s coral population, which is endangered by climate change. The installation is crafted to supply essential habitats for marine wildlife, integrating into the ecosystem and promoting the growth of coral and aquatic plants. Firmly anchored to endure hurricanes, the sculpture incorporates Coral Lok, a system developed by ReefLine’s Miami Native Coral Lab for effortless conservation of coral fragments. As corals flourish, the vehicles will evolve into a lively octocoral forest.

Erlich’s selection of vehicles carries symbolic weight; once viewed as sources of pollution on land, they transform into catalysts for regeneration under the sea. “The car is a reminder of our past—and, once submerged, an invitation to envision our future,” Erlich articulates, highlighting the notion of transformation over transportation.

ReefLine’s scientific director, Colin Foord, mentions that the installation will resemble a forest reoccupying a traffic jam. In addition to “Concrete Coral,” the park will host “The Miami Reef Star” by Carlos Betancourt and Alberto Latorre, featuring 46 3D-printed stars that reflect starfish migration and the interconnectedness of ocean, land, and cosmos. The sculpture encapsulates the artists’ Caribbean heritage and commitment to environmental preservation.

Set to be completed in 2026, Petroc Sesti’s “Heart of Okeanos,” designed to resemble a blue whale’s heart, will further enhance the ReefLine. For additional information about “Concrete Coral,” explore Leandro Erlich’s website or ReefLine’s site for comprehensive project details.