Way back in 1970, German artist Wolf Vostell created an automotive-themed sculpture that’s stood the test of time. Called “Concrete Traffic‘ it’s a concrete coated 1957 Cadillac Deville; 16 tons of concrete to be exact.
The sculpture was commissioned by the Museum Of Contemporary Art, Chicago, and creation of the piece was called an “instant happening” or what today might be called performance art. The entire process of building the molds and encasing the Cadillac in concrete was just as important as the sculpture itself.
The artwork was far from flawless. Impressions in the concrete from the 2×4 frames can clearly be seen, and within a year major cracks developed. The rear windshield area had to be patched when the underlying glass shattered under all that weight. Decades of exposure to the elements continued to cause deterioration, but the sculpture was restored in 2016.
Today, the sculpture proudly sits in a University of Chicago parking garage, and the end of a line of parking spaces. It’s partially covered by the parking structure for protection, but is still in public view where sunlight, shadows, and even snowbanks change it’s appearance daily.
“Concrete Traffic” is metaphor for traffic jams; turning a symbol of speed into an immovable object. It also reflects on post-war, concrete-heavy urban environment, and the rapid, sometimes destructive development of modern cities. It is now viewed as a prophetic piece of art about urban congestion which remains still relevant today.
Now I have seen everything lol maybe.
Completely insane. There’s a ‘restoration’ video where they even changed the oil on the Caddy… or at least dumped the old oil.
Too funny
I’d like one of these in my back yard.
Like heavy, man! Intersting sculpture. My problem with it is it’s too representative. It may reflect the slowness of traffic jams, but I don’t get the frustration of sitting in traffic from the sculpture.
Dude was trying to say something about consumer society, and ‘an indictment of car culture’s that’s now what I get either.
Heres another similar piece of art:
https://demaras.com/2023/03/18/auto-art-ghost-parking-lot/
That is a much better installation. Have you heard of Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac_Ranch
I’ve seen pictures of it, but never new it’s name. I think you’ve given me a new AUTO-ART article for the future!
If you have pics of it that YOU have taken, perhaps we can collaborate!
It’s been years since I drove through Amarillo. If I took any photos, they would have been on film, so who knows where I have those stored.
Gotcha.