Meet South Florida’s newest California transplant. She’s 45-feet tall, 32,000 pounds and made out of steel.
“R-Evolution,” a kinetic sculpture depicting a nude standing woman known for appearing at the Burning Man festival, was unveiled on the 400 block of Lincoln Road on Tuesday morning ahead of Miami Art Week next month.
The artwork, designed by artist Marco Cochrane, was brought to Miami Beach by the Lincoln Road Business Improvement District in partnership with the City of Miami Beach. It is on view until April 2024.
In recent years, Lincoln Road publicly exhibited works by Colombian artist Fernando Botero and French artist Richard Orlinski on its promenade.
“We wanted something that was monumental, that was large and could be a conversation piece that wouldn’t get lost in the breadth of Lincoln Road,” said Lyle Stern, the Lincoln Road BID president. “We also wanted something that signaled a major statement for conversation, and I think we can all agree that this did it.”
Cochrane, an American sculptor, debuted “R-Evolution” at Burning Man in 2015. The sculpture, which was modeled after singer and dancer Deja Solis, was the third sculpture in Cochrane’s series.
Unlike most California girls, “R-Evolution” traveled from the west coast to Miami on two semi trucks. The work features 16 motors inside the chest to make it look like she’s breathing. It was designed to shine brightly during the day and glow with LED lights at night.
Outgoing Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber thanked Stern, the BID and Miami Beach residents for supporting the arts. (Last year, residents voted to approve $159 million in bonds to fund local cultural institutions.)
“The best kind of art is free art, and the very best kind of free art is public art,” Gelber said. “Because you can walk down the street and just see something that gives you a sense of place and a sense of marvel, and that’s what we’re aiming for in our city.”
In between interviews with press, Cochrane stopped to take selfies with some residents who saw the sculpture for the first time. Luz Cevallos, a longtime Miami Beach resident, shook his hand and congratulated him.
“How beautiful,” Cevallos said in Spanish as she took photos on her phone. She enjoys coming to Lincoln Road to walk and said the artwork is a great addition.
“Precious, divine,” she added, describing the sculpture. “There are no words.”
Cochrane said it’s thrilling to have his work seen by residents and visitors, especially during Art Week.
“I really didn’t know it was going to be like this,” he said. “There’s a lot of people here. It’s by far the most people she’s ever been around. I feel like it really fits in here.”
Cochrane said “R-Evolution” was inspired by female empowerment and humanity.
“It’s just about how powerful it is to be — just to be,” he said. “The world is really busy and crazy right now, crazier than ever. I want to remind people that being, just being, is enough.”
Want to check out the “R-Evolution” sculpture? It’s located outside on the 400 block of Lincoln Road, next to the 407 Lincoln Road building and until April.
