The Hand, Punta del Este

The Hand, also known as "La Mano" or "Los Dedos," is an iconic sculpture in the coastal city of Punta del Este, Uruguay. Emerging from the sands of Playa Brava, the colossal hand with its five concrete fingers is a striking sight that has become synonymous with the city's identity.

Created by Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal, The Hand was completed in February 1982 during the first annual meeting of the International Meeting of Modern Sculpture in the Open Air in Punta del Este. The sculpture is a haunting reminder for swimmers of the inherent dangers of the ocean, symbolizing humans rising from the natural world, and it has since become one of Uruguay's most recognizable landmarks.

The Hand stands out against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, capturing the attention of both beachgoers and art enthusiasts. It is particularly popular with tourists, who often take photographs mimicking the sculpture's gesture or posing playfully around the fingertips that appear to claw their way out of the sand.

The sculpture's size and simplicity are key to its impact. The fingers stretch skywards, conveying a sense of both desperation and emergence, and the sculpture's surface bears the rough textures of its material, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the natural environment despite its artificiality.

Accessible at all hours, The Hand attracts visitors throughout the day. It is especially poignant at sunrise or sunset, when the changing light casts dramatic shadows and enhances the sculpture's emotive power.