The Hand, Beach sculpture at Playa Brava in Punta del Este, Uruguay.
The Hand is a monumental concrete sculpture at Punta del Este's beach, with five fingers rising from the sand and reaching upward. The structure displays an open palm about 11 meters tall that stands out from the shoreline and has become one of the area's most recognizable landmarks.
The artwork was created in 1982 by Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal during the first international meeting of modern sculpture in open-air settings. It emerged during a time when art installations were increasingly being placed at natural sites like beaches to explore the relationship between art, humans, and the environment.
The sculpture represents the relationship between humans and the ocean, serving as a warning about the powerful waves at nearby La Barra beach. Many visitors see in the fingers a symbol of human aspiration and the desire to connect with nature.
The sculpture is located near the Parada 1 bus stop and is accessible at any time of day and in various weather conditions. Visitors can photograph from different angles, and should note that the area becomes busier during certain seasons.
The structure was built from reinforced concrete with steel bars and mesh to withstand the salty ocean air and harsh coastal conditions. Since its installation, the sculpture has maintained its original form and become an unmissable landmark that attracts thousands of visitors each year.
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