ugo rondinone stacks 41-foot tall 'miami mountain' in collins park

coinciding with miami art week, the bass museum of art has unveiled its towering ‘miami mountain’ installation by artist ugo rondinone. the 41-foot tall stack — an iteration of his work in the nevada desert — stands in the southeast corner of collins park. stacked one on top of the other, the precarious pile stands vibrant against its miami beach backdrop, its fluorescent colors visible from along the waterfront.  

the sculpture was acquired through the museum’s most recent initiative dedicated to international art
image © zachary balber, courtesy of the bass, miami beach

the large-scale installation is the latest addition to ugo rondinone’s mountain series, and is the first of its kind to be acquired by a museum. commissioned by the bass, ‘miami mountain’ consists of five vibrantly hued limestone boulders, sourced in nevada. now part of its permanent collection, the sculpture was acquired through the museum’s most recent acquisition initiative dedicated to international contemporary art. 

the 41-foot tall stack stands in the southeast corner of collins park in miami beach
image © zachary balber, courtesy of the bass, miami beach

‘miami mountain’ represents an extension of rondinone’s exploration of geological formations and their representation and reinterpretation in art. quizzing conventional ideas of color, dimensions and physics, the installation suggests a new way of thinking about the environment in art. abstract forms and loud, unnatural pigments combine to lend a fresh perspective on the natural world. 

the large scale installation is the latest addition to ugo rondinone’s mountain series
image © zachary balber, courtesy of the bass, miami beach

‘art has the power to inspire and activate a community’, comments executive director silvia karman cubiñá.‘with miami mountain, the bass presents our collection beyond the walls of the museum, to be enjoyed by miami beach residents and visitors, and to engage with every passerby.’

‘miami mountain’ represents an extension of rondinone’s exploration into geological formations and art
image © zachary balber, courtesy of the bass, miami beach

ugo rondinone’s 41-foot tall ‘miami mountain’ in-progress
photo by matt nelson, courtesy of the artist and the bass, miami beach