CORAL GABLES – A new art installation at Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables is drawing attention to South Florida’s vulnerability to rising sea levels.
The project, titled “The Underwater,” was created by Miami-based artist Xavier Cortada to highlight the impact of sea-level rise on the region’s low-lying areas.
One of the concrete slabs in the park displays the number “2,” representing the park’s elevation of two feet above sea level. According to projections from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with an expected sea-level rise of about five feet by 2100, the area could be submerged by three feet in the next 76 years.
“People need to understand how many feet above sea level their homes are,” Cortada said. “Unlike much of the rest of the country, Miami is uniquely flat. There is no higher ground.”
Cortada’s project places concrete markers in various Miami-Dade parks, each engraved with the park’s elevation. Each marker includes a QR code that links to a website explaining the significance of the number and offering more information on sea-level rise. Cortada hopes the minimalist design will prompt curiosity from park visitors.
“I hope people do a double-take and wonder, ‘What’s this number 10 doing here?'” Cortada said. “Then they’ll scan the QR code and learn, ‘This marker is 10 feet above sea level,’ and begin to understand what that means.”
For nearby residents, the numbers serve as a stark reminder. Many neighborhoods, currently sitting 10 feet above sea level, could see their elevation halved by the start of the next century if current trends continue, according to NOAA’s “intermediate-high” projection. This projection aligns closely with the observed sea-level rise over the past several decades.
Cortada’s project extends beyond public parks. He has also created lawn signs displaying elevation numbers, which are available for residents who want to help raise awareness about the threat of sea-level rise. The QR codes on the signs provide information on how to create a lawn marker and include links to contact elected officials, encouraging residents to demand action on climate change.
For Miami resident Ronnie Good, who saw Cortada’s installation while visiting Matheson Hammock Park, addressing sea-level rise is critical.
“It’s extremely important,” Good said. “I live near Cutler Bay, and if we don’t do anything, we’ll most likely lose our homes.”
Cortada hopes his art will inspire others to take action.
“Art is the most human thing we can do,” Cortada said. “It’s not about attacking anyone- it’s about bringing people together, focusing on what we can do to address the problem.”
As sea levels continue to rise, Cortada’s work serves as both a warning and a call to action for Miami residents to protect their community from the looming threat.
