The renowned plastic artist Marta Minujín created a work that encapsulates the spirit and history of Mar del Plata: a sea lion 10 meters tall covered with golden sheets. This iconic Sea Lion was conceived for the inauguration of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Mar del Plata (MAR) in 2013. Minujín emphasized at the time that the work was intended to be a lasting icon that would maintain its relevance over time.
In July 2018, a restoration of the aluminum wrappings that form the characteristic skin of the Sea Lion took place. Quickly, the sculpture became an icon of the city, capturing the attention of local and visiting audiences due to its originality and connection to the place. Located by the sea, the Sea Lion stands out among its stone counterparts in the surroundings.
Minujín conceived the figure of the sea lion with two approaches: one ephemeral and the other eternal. On one occasion, the sculpture was covered with thousands of golden wrappings from Havanna alfajores, establishing a visual link with another local icon. Subsequently, in October 2018, the Sea Lion debuted a new "skin" of golden aluminum plates after a restoration process.
The sculpture stands as a tribute to the emblematic marine mammal of the Argentine coasts, specifically of Mar del Plata. The creation process of the Sea Lion posed a technical and logistical challenge that involved a team of artisans and metalworkers who worked hard to materialize the artist's vision. The presence of the Sea Lion integrates into the sculptural tradition of the city, coexisting with other iconic representations of sea lions in the region.
Minujín's work is distinguished by its provocative character and its deep roots in the popular. The conception of the Sea Lion as a piece that engages with the identity of Mar del Plata highlights the artist's imprint on the tourist city. Over time, the sculpture has been the subject of events such as the "skin change" performance, where visitors actively participated by taking the aluminum wrappings that covered the lion.
Ultimately, Marta Minujín's Sea Lion endures as an unavoidable piece of the Mar del Plata landscape, attracting tourists and locals alike in search of capturing a memory of their visit to the city.
