The concept, by artist Roberto Biaggi, will be the largest piece of public art in the Americas, according to the Department of Transportation and Public Works
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A "monumental" work that aims to celebrate Puerto Rican culture will cover, over a period of three years, two stretches of the Román Baldorioty de Castro expressway connecting to the Túnel Minillas. The Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP) announced this when it unveiled the conceptual design of the project "Luminarias."
"This project represents more than an aesthetic intervention; it is a commitment to our cultural identity and to the road safety of all Puerto Ricans. It is a significant urban revitalization and cultural preservation effort. An ambitious public art project that will transform the walls of the Baldorioty through an innovative mosaic project by renowned Puerto Rican artist Roberto Biaggi," said engineer Eileen Vélez-Vega, secretary of the DTOP.
The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Municipio de San Juan and the Autoridad de Transporte Integrado (ATI), calls for the creation of a monumental work, with an estimated completion timeline of three years.
The art project will cover approximately 40,000 square feet, distributed across four phases of 10,000 square feet each, making it the largest piece of public art in the Americas.
The mosaic will be placed along the walls adjacent to the Túnel Minillas, specifically on the stretches connecting San Juan and Carolina.
"The work, titled 'Luminarias,' will feature an innovative design that fuses realistic elements with abstract patterns, using fragments of broken ceramic tiles in various colors. Its artistic concept seeks to celebrate the rich culture of Puerto Rico, incorporating representations of well-known musicians, artists and athletes against a backdrop that evokes the vibrant tones and biodiversity of the island," explained Roberto Biaggi, the work's conceptual artist.
"This work promises to be impressive not only for its striking design and the beauty and light it will bring to this space. After an investment of over $3 million across the 3 years it is estimated to take to complete, this mosaic will be recognized as the largest piece of public art in the Americas. The symbolism represented in this work and the story its design will tell, together with its immense scale, will certainly make it a one-of-a-kind piece," said Caridad Pierluisi, executive director of the Oficina Propia del Gobernador.
"We have turned a challenge into an opportunity," the secretary added, referring to the intervention in the space previously occupied by the mural Mosaico 2112, by artist José Jorge Román, which rendered the song "Lamento Borincano" in Braille, and which was removed in August of this year after the agency determined it had been affected by weather events and acts of vandalism.
"The removal of the previous elements was carried out following a technical assessment that identified potential road safety risks, as the original materials were showing detachment that compromised the safety of drivers," it noted.
With a total investment of $3,200,000, the project covers all materials, design, labor and insurance. The DTOP will transfer the funds in full to ATI, which will disburse them upon receipt of the corresponding certifications. The Municipio de San Juan is also collaborating on the project.
"We are creating more than a mural; we are building memory, inspiration and a new chapter in our visual narrative," said Vélez-Vega.
According to the agency, the remnants of the previous work were collected and stored in a DTOP repository, where they remain available to the original artist.
Cover photo: Artistic concept of "Luminarias"; the final design is subject to change. Provided / DTOP
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
