Ugo Rondinone's colorful Miami Mountain at Collins Park
Title: Miami Mountain
Artist: Ugo Rondinone [born 1964 in Brunnen, Switzerland]
Date: 2016
đź“ŤLocation: Collins Park, Miami Beach
Size: 41 foot tall
GIF BY Nadia Bouzid
Status: Permanent Collection [Bass Museum of Contemporary Art Miami]
In the world of contemporary art, Ugo Rondinone's 'Miami Mountain' shines as a symbol of creativity and permanence. This exceptional piece, part of Rondinone's celebrated mountain series known for its vibrant and contrasting color palettes, has found its enduring home in Miami Beach's Collins Park.
With a commanding height of 42 feet, 'Miami Mountain' transcends the realm of ordinary artworks. It represents a pioneering addition to The Bass' permanent collection. This acquisition marks the initiation of The Bass' ambitious ten-year program, dedicated to the acquisition of contemporary works intended to stand the test of time.
Ugo Rondinone's venture into monumentalizing his mountain series began with the unveiling of 'Seven Magic Mountains' in 2016. This site-specific installation comprised 35 colossal boulders stacked into seven towering columns in Nevada's desert. 'Miami Mountain,' however, takes on a singular form, consisting of five boulders adorned with striking fluorescent hues. It's rightfully acclaimed as one of the most significant achievements in the realm of land art in recent decades.
Drawing inspiration from the 'hoodoo' rock formations in the North American Badlands, 'Miami Mountain' straddles the boundary between geological wonder and abstract expression. Hoodoos are naturally occurring rock formations created as sediment erodes from the edges of plateaus, leaving behind the most enduring earth.
The act of stacking stones upon one another carries profound cultural significance across diverse societies. Whether referred to as cairns or stone piles, they serve as markers of both time and place. 'Miami Mountain' continues this tradition, standing as a solitary testament—a timeless moment frozen in art.
Ugo Rondinone's art is an exploration of the relentless passage of time and the enduring forces of nature. His work often navigates the interplay between the present moment and the unknowable future. 'Miami Mountain' draws its essence from what Rondinone aptly terms "primitive materials," with ancient boulders as its core components—a tangible link to a timeless past.
This installation extends Rondinone's enduring fascination with natural phenomena and their reinterpretation through the lens of art. His creations frequently evoke primordial elements such as air, moons, the sun, and the cosmos. Bridging the realms of nature, romanticism, and existentialism, 'Miami Mountain' embodies a mental triad that has consistently underpinned Rondinone's artistic odyssey for over two decades. Through an innovative amalgamation of themes and materials, 'Miami Mountain' exudes a sense of romantic minimalism—a lasting testament to artistic ingenuity.
