Imagine a striking fusion of art and automotive history: on this day in 1970, a remarkable piece of artwork came to life. Artist Wolf Vostell completed his installation titled Concrete Traffic, which encased a classic 1957 Cadillac Sedan DeVille within a shell of concrete, all while it was parked in a public pay lot near Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art. This bold artistic statement is not only intriguing but also somewhat ironic, considering its humble setting—a busy city parking area. Fortunately, this unique sculpture endures today, having been restored in 2016 after being neglected for several decades. It now takes its place in a parking facility at the University of Chicago.
Vostell was associated with the Fluxus movement, an avant-garde collective that championed a more approachable, less formal perspective on art. This movement aimed to weave art into the fabric of daily life, promoting the idea that creativity should be present in our everyday experiences rather than confined to galleries and formal exhibitions. Personally, I find this concept refreshing; art should be a part of our bustling lives, reflecting our human experience in all its forms.
Fluxus artists emphasized the act of creating over the finished product, focusing on the experience as a whole rather than solely on the final object—even though the outcome still held significance. Vostell referred to Concrete Traffic as an "instant happening," although it involved considerable preparation prior to its public debut. The plywood mold for the concrete was constructed before the event, and the Cadillac itself was reinforced with rebar and wire. Once everything was set, the car was towed into the parking lot, the mold placed over it, and concrete poured in by a cement mixer. After six days, the mold was removed to reveal the entombed Cadillac.
This innovative process was well-documented, and you can witness the transformation unfold through various images. For instance, you can find photographs showing the rebar-and-wire framework laid over the car, designed to support and strengthen the concrete as it cured, along with images of the simple yet effective plywood mold used during the process. While the mold might appear rudimentary, the resulting sculpture was striking, managing to retain some essence of the Cadillac's identity amid its concrete encasement.
For five months, this concrete Caddy occupied its parking space, accessible to curious passersby who could interact with this unconventional sculpture. It raises an interesting question: did this peculiar work of art influence the design direction of Jaguar?
After its initial display, the sculpture found a new home on the University of Chicago campus, where it remained for nearly four decades before being placed in storage until its restoration in 2016.
Interestingly, while often overlooked, the underside of the sculpture offers a compelling view, demonstrating the weight of the massive concrete shell enveloping a real car. Observers can see how the Cadillac’s chassis copes with the staggering weight of 27,000 pounds of concrete, and it's impressive that the suspension appears to handle this burden effectively.
The University of Chicago has even compiled a fact sheet that includes intriguing tidbits about the piece, such as the fact that the Cadillac was purchased for just $89 in 1970—a mere $743 in today’s dollars! Quite the bargain for such a legendary vehicle!
Another fascinating detail is the height listed as "variable." Does this take into account potential sagging from the suspension or wear and tear on the tires?
So here’s to Concrete Traffic on its 56th anniversary! How wonderful it would be to park beside this extraordinary piece of art one day.
