Leandro Erlich: Concrete Coral

This October, The ReefLine will launch its inaugural installation by artist Leandro Erlich off the Miami Beach coastline, signifying the commencement of a seven-mile underwater public sculpture park, snorkel trail, and hybrid reef. This initiative, envisioned by founder Ximena Caminos, intends to restore a portion of the Florida Reef Tract while establishing a venue for public engagement with art and climate resilience. The architecture firm OMA, alongside Shohei Shigematsu, has been appointed to develop the plan for this ambitious project.

The first installation, entitled “Concrete Coral,” comprises twenty-two full-scale vehicles submerged at depths ranging from fifteen to twenty feet at 4th Street. These vehicles, constructed from marine-grade concrete using 3D-printed molds, create the visual impression of an underwater traffic jam while simultaneously serving as structures for coral growth. Utilizing a patented attachment system known as Coral Lok, live corals will be seeded onto the vehicles to promote accelerated reef development.

While Leandro Erlich’s installation will possess a sculptural aspect, it is also designed to enhance biodiversity and function as a breakwater to safeguard Miami’s shoreline from erosion and rising sea levels. At present, 2,200 corals are being cultivated at The ReefLine’s Miami Native Coral Lab under the direction of marine biologist Colin Foord.

“Concrete Coral” represents the initial phase of a multi-part cultural corridor. Future installations will feature “The Miami Reef Star” by Carlos Betancourt and Alberto Latorre, as well as “Heart of Okeanos” by Petroc Sesti. Each installation is crafted to serve both artistic and ecological purposes, furthering The ReefLine’s objective of cultivating one million corals throughout its duration.

The installation will be on view from October 04, 2025.