As part of the ongoing ReefLine project in Miami, which is aiming to establish a seven-mile underwater sculpture park near the Miami Beach shoreline, artist Carlos Betancourt and architect Alberto Latorre have created Miami Reef Star, an on-land installation that consists of 46 3D printed star modules. The Miami Beach display, evocative of sandcastles, was unveiled earlier this December as part of Miami Art Week.
The star installation, which spanned 60 feet on Miami Beach over the course of Miami Art Week, marked the first stage in Betancourt and Latorre’s ReefLine contribution. In fact, the 3D printed stars on display were actually prototypes. Eventually, the plan is to submerge 3D printed star-shaped structures spanning 90 feet off the coast—about 20 feet deep—where they will function as an artificial hybrid reef.
There, the 3D printed design of the stars, which on land is highly aesthetic, will become functional. Specifically, the stars creators have integrated cavities into their design to encourage various aquatic flora and fauna to inhabit the structures and encourage biodiversity. The star prototypes were created in cooperation with Madco3d, a company that specializes in using concrete 3D printing for sustainable construction projects, and 3D Potter, which develops clay and cement 3D printers.
“The ReefLine seeks to perform a unique kind of ‘marine acupuncture,’ blending art and innovative blue technology to target vital pressure points in the ocean,” said Ximena Caminos, founder of ReefLine. “Our goal is to unlock their regenerative potential, ultimately restoring what has been lost to the devastating effects of climate change while fostering community engagement and awareness.”
The construction process for the underwater ReefLine sculpture park at Miami Beach is expected to begin in spring of 2025, and eventually the seven-mile stretch will function both as an artificial reef and snorkel trail. Other underwater installations in the ReefLine project include a recreation of Leandro Erlich’s 2019 Order of Importance artwork, which will consist of 22 life-sized concrete cars placed as though in a traffic jam, and a large-scale concrete sculpture inspired by the heat of a blue whale.
Discover more from TrendyShopToBuy
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
