La Mano de Punta del Este facts for kids
Quick facts for kids La mano |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Artist | Mario Irarrázabal |
| Year | 1982 |
| Type | Concrete and plastic reinforced with steel |
| Location | Parada 1 Brava, Punta del Este |
La Mano (which means The Hand) is a famous sculpture in Punta del Este, Uruguay. It was created by a Chilean artist named Mario Irarrázabal. The sculpture shows five human fingers that look like they are coming out of the sand. You can find it on Parada 1 at Brava Beach, a popular spot for tourists in Punta del Este. People also call it Los Dedos (The Fingers) or Hombre emergiendo a la vida (Man Emerging into Life). But most people just know it as The Hand.
This sculpture became a symbol for Punta del Este when it was finished in February 1982. It is now one of the most recognized landmarks in all of Uruguay.
The Story Behind La Mano
The sculpture was made by Mario Irarrázabal from Chile in the summer of 1982. He was part of the first International Meeting of Modern Sculpture. This event brought together artists to create sculptures outdoors in Punta del Este. Mario was the youngest of nine sculptors there.
The artists were supposed to work in a public square. But there was a bit of a disagreement about who got which spot. So, Mario decided to create his sculpture right on the beach instead! He got the idea to make a hand that looked like it was "drowning." This was a friendly warning to swimmers. The waves at La Barra beach were rougher and better for surfing. But the waters at Solanas were much calmer and better for swimming or windsurfing.
Mario had the whole summer to finish his project. However, he managed to complete the sculpture in just six days! There were only small delays because of the strong winds common in Punta del Este. The fingers are made from concrete and plastic. They are made stronger with steel bars and metal mesh inside. A special coating protects the plastic from damage.
Many sculptors from around the world worked on their art at the beach that summer. But only Mario Irarrázabal's sculpture remains on the beach today. It has stayed in its original spot and looks largely the same. La Mano brought Mario Irarrázabal fame around the world. It is very popular in tourist photos and on postcards. He later made similar hand sculptures in other cities. These include Madrid (in 1987), the Mano del Desierto (Hand of the Desert) in the Atacama Desert in Chile (1992), and in Venice (1995).
See also
In Spanish: La Mano de Punta del Este para niños
- The Awakening, a 1980 sculpture that also features hands emerging from the ground
- Mano del Desierto, a 1992 sculpture of a giant hand by the same artist
