The first phase of the Reefline project, an underwater sculpture park off the coast of Miami Beach, has been installed with 22 submerged concrete cars created by Argentine artist Leandro Erlich. The sculptures, titled "Concrete Coral" (2025), sit 20 feet below the surface and are designed to support coral regeneration and marine biodiversity. The project was developed by cultural placemaker Ximena Caminos with a masterplan by architect Shohei Shigematsu of OMA, and will expand over ten years to reach seven miles in length. Visitors can access the site via swimming, diving, or electric paddleboards, and a floating marine learning center is anchored nearby during Miami Art Week.
This initiative matters because it merges public art with ecological restoration, demonstrating how creative works can drive tangible solutions to climate change. Unlike disposable art installations, Reefline is designed as long-term infrastructure that evolves with marine growth, transforming a symbol of urban frustration—traffic jams—into a living reef. The project also highlights Miami's unique capacity to integrate art, science, and environmental action, offering a model for other coastal cities facing similar ecological challenges.