MIAMI BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--During Art Basel, community leaders convened in front of South Beach’s Temple Emanu-El synagogue to unveil an outdoor sculpture that spells S-O-B-E and was created by renowned Italian artist Claudio Ciaravolo to launch the SoBe is Love public art project, and Valerio Spinaci, the managing and creative director of the project. This statue will remain for all time.
Rabbi Marc Philippe and President Jerry Jacobs of Temple Emanu-El led a dedication ceremony with additional remarks by the artist, Dan Gelber, Mayor of Miami Beach; Guy Gilady, Consul of Israel and Cristiano Musillo, Consul General of Italy.
The sculpture symbolizes the project’s message of love and community unity in light of post-election political divide and an epidemic of national gun violence and highlights intercultural principles of hope and faith. It pays tribute to the late artist Robert Indiana, whose sculptures are universally recognized as symbolic of these same messages.
Sobe is Love is part of a broader collaborative global art project, produced by Talking Arts and exclusively promoted by Rudolf Budja Gallery, that encompasses the creation of similar sculptures and events to be launched over the next two years in other iconic cities, including Rome, Hong Kong and Doha.
Valerio Spinaci, an entrepreneur attorney and founder of Opera, a real estate development firm, and Talking Arts, said, “Claudio Ciaravolo is a genius. His Art is powerful, universally understood, and brings together people of all faith and cultural backgrounds in a manner that is fun, inspiring and impactful.” Melina Rosenberg, co-founder of Talking Arts, created the synergy between the artwork and Temple Emanu-El and made the installation possible. Rudolf Budja, Miami’s top art dealer, showcased additional works by the artist and hosted a VIP reception after the unveiling.
The public-at-large will continue to be encouraged to transmit the project’s message of love by taking photos and selfies in front of the sculptures using #SobeIsLove and by engaging with the project at various social media channels @SobeIsLove. More information can be found at www.sobeislove.com.
