The sculpture with a Puerto Rican sunset behind. Dorado, PR.

The sculpture Cardumen (translated as a school of fish), was installed directly at the beach. Featuring a bench that allows you to sit within it, the work invites the viewer to take a moment to reconnect with the earth and ocean while reinforcing the idea that strength is found in unity. The ultimate goal is for a version of the work to be installed underwater.

The unveiling celebration started at the beach where guests mingled accompanied by hors d’oeuvres and plena music. Los Pleneros led everyone to a nearby venue where the rest of the ceremony took place. Georgia Tech Arts staff member Adriana Rosario Pérez opened the ceremony with a few words about the collaboration between Georgia Tech Arts and arte_FITS Foundation. The students, Elizabeth Kelly and Danielle Sisson, shared some of their favorite moments and were followed by Friedel Stubbe who highlighted the importance of these kinds of projects, Carolina Stubbe, founder of arte_FITS foundation, and sculptor, Luis Torruella.

The truck arrives with the sculpture.
The truck unloads the sculpture.
Danielle and Elizabeth take a break in front of the partially installed sculpture.
Elizabeth looks at the sculpture while the team works.
A forklift and the crew putting the sculpture together.
Danielle and Elizabeth prepare to install the base of the sculpture.
Danielle and Elizabeth screw the base of the sculpture to the cement floor.
Luis Torruella at the top side of the sculpture adjusting it.
Luis Torruella inside an aerial truck platform painting the sculpture.
Luis, Danielle, and Elizabeth installing the sculpture’s wooden bench.
Luis, Danielle, and Elizabeth installing the sculpture’s wooden bench.
Danielle and Elizabeth sitting on the sculpture’s bench with heir back to the camera.

Photos, videos, and illustrations courtesy of the project participants: arte_FITS Foundation, Luis Torruella, Elizabeth Kelly, Danielle Sisson, and Georgia Tech Arts.