Miami Beach Crushes Tomy Trujillo’s Heart
History repeats itself all over again. On Dec 15, 1989, artist Arturo Di Modica dropped off a 7000 pound bronze bull in front of the New York Stock Exchange, meant to rally the people and the markets into a bull run after the terrible recession.
The police seized the sculpture and threw it into an impound lot. After a public outcry, the city relented and had the bull installed on the Bowling Green. Today, the Wall Street Charging Bull is one of the most visible, famed and photographed attractions in New York.
And now, in a bid to recreate history, the night before Valentine’s Day, 30 year old North Miami Beach artist Tomy Felipe Trujillo created two large metal heart sculptures and dropped off one of them Trujillo’s alma mater, Miami Beach Senior High, at Prairie Avenue and 23rd Street in Miami Beach.
The second heart, which was even bigger (10 x 9 ft), Trujillo quietly dropped off in front of the Bass Museum of Art at 2121 Park Ave.
And the authorities have reacted predictably. The one in front of the school was hauled to a local dump and crushed. The second one, which the Bass Museum requested removed, was hauled to a maintenance yard and spared by a worker who did not want to see it destroyed.
The second heart is now on display at Trujillo’s Puzzlement Gallery in Wynwood, and could likely become one of the must-visit tourist attractions in Miami Beach. Tomy Trujillo spent 5 months and $55,000 on creating his hearts. Which the heartless city of Miami Beach had crushed.
Tomy F. Trujillo was born in 1978, in Colombia and has lived in Miami since he was 15. He has been working with iron and recycled metals to create sculptures, furniture and lights. His metal works have been installed in businesses and homes around Miami, some on Star Island, and include iron gates, gazebos, and other customized metal works. - PuzzlementArt.com
Posted on March 22nd, 2009 by Thomas
Filed under: Art & Museums
I can’t believe that the city tossed Tomy’s heart in the dump. They could of at least recycled it, like the artist did. I guess Tomy could have asked for permission, but then it would not be guerrilla art. Think of Bansky (http://www.noristudios.com/sketchbook/uploaded_images/bansky1-701209.jpg) His work used to be buffed, now if they are going to demolish a building, they tear down the wall where his work is stenciled, save his work, then tear down the building. I think the city throwing away his work is the best publicity he can get…
I’ll second that. Art, for whatever reason, shouldn’t end up in trash dump. They could have just asked him to come and collect it. And you’re right that it’s good publicity. It was done with good intentions, though, so we shouldn’t label it as a publicity stunt.