Giant flamingos in Palm Beach County encourage people to vote

No, you are not hallucinating; You may have seen ridiculously large flamingos voting in front of the Palm Beach County polling station supervisor.

Civic-minded showing off allowed their voices to be heard. In a way. The 27-foot fiberglass and steel flamingos, three of which stand among an empty voting booth, are part of a colorful, eye-catching public art display organized by the county to encourage voter turnout.

In front of the county election headquarters in West Palm Beach, pink birds can be seen voting in large voting booths that are several feet lower in height; It’s a metaphor for the magnitude of this year’s presidential election between the leading candidates, Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican. Donald J. Trump.

The installation was designed for both voters and people passing by.

“Some people bike, some walk, but the majority drive,” Matthew Mazzotta told WLRN. “So I wanted something that you could read quickly on your way to this polling place or maybe while you’re walking down that street. That’s why I wanted it to be big.

READ MORE: Solo exhibition at Palm Beach County’s only Black museum explores timely social and political issues

At least as many as the number of district residents. Early voting participation In Palm Beach County, 50% of registered voters (about 450,000 people) have already cast ballots in local, state and federal elections.

Mazzotta, whose public art projects have won numerous international awards, told WLRN that he blends art and activism to explore how the built environment affects interpersonal relationships and physical experiences.

The $750,000 installation, titled “VOTE,” highlights the deep connection between public art and politics; The artist drew on early artistic influences from punk music and various forms of expression that combined social commentary with aesthetics.

Florida flamingos can’t vote, of course. But that’s the point, Mazzotta explains.

The native New Yorker said the flamingos in this project represent voiceless individuals who cannot vote.

“So it’s kind of like thinking about the people around the world and other countries who are affected by us in the United States and who are able to vote,” Mazzotta said.

“As well as all the plants, animals and ecosystems on Earth. “So not everything that is affected gets a chance to vote,” he said.

The “VOTE” installation, which took three years to complete due to pandemic-related challenges, is planned to remain a permanent fixture in West Palm Beach.

early voting It will last from 07.00 to 19.00 on Sunday, November 3. Completed ballots must be delivered to the Election Officer by 19:00 on Election Day, November 5. Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Keep up with South Florida’s arts and culture scene by signing up for The A/C newsletter. Each Wednesday air conditioning will present a curation of stories and in-depth reviews celebrating South Florida’s arts community. click Here to subscribe.