Atabey's Treasure Has Landed on San Francisco’s Embarcadero
Atabey’s Treasure, by NiNo Alicea in the Daytime in Black and White
While we were out on a walk, we stumbled across a sculpture I saw getting built a couple of evenings ago. Cameron and I stood in awe with this lovely Taino fish jumping out of the Earth. Our viewing of the sculpture was in the daytime, so I was unable to get a photo of the solar powered lights shining through the gills of the fish.
Artist NiNo Alicea voiced on the Not Real Art Podcast that 2017’s Hurricane Maria was intense and devastating for his home Puerto Rico and shifted his arts focus on climate change after the natural disaster. The Journal of Geophysical Research has a study regarding the environmental impacts of these hurricanes in Puerto Rico if you are more curious about them.
Atabey is not the only Puerto Rican inspired sculpture Alicea has crafted — from MÚCARO, his creation of Puerto Rico’s native owl (which was his first Burning Man Honoraria), to his 2024 Honoraria recipient COQUÍ, he has really found his stride. NiNo is the first Puerto Rican artist to bring art to Black Rock City back in 2015/2016 with Got Framed.
As an artist who has never seen a Burning Man installation in real life, seeing Atabey really put into perspective for me what is expected of the most excellent art pieces in Black Rock City. Atabey is robust but classic in its own right, and truly I am inspired to one day get some art out onto the playa.
On the base of the sculpture is a plaque with some information about Atabey’s Treasure, you can read the plaque fully typed out for your viewership below.
NiNo Alicea
Atabey’s Treasure, 2022
Steel Framing, Recycled Materials
45’ L x 18’ H x 16’ W
Atabey’s Treasure is a sculpture of a fish leaping from the earth, made from steel and recycled pizza pans. It honors Atabey, the Taino goddess of fresh water, fertility, and life — an essential and revered force in the cultural heritage of Puerto Rico. This piece is dedicated to El NiNo’s homeland. After hurricanes, earthquakes, and power outages, the island is still in need. Through his work, he brings light, support, and awareness, not just for Puerto Rico, but for the planet.
Atabey represents life, resilience, and the sacredness of water. Her spirit is meant to remind us of what’s at stake when we ignore the Earth.
This temporary installation is stewarded by the non-profit ReadyToPlayART as a part of Big Art Loop — Portside and made possible through the support of Sijbrandij Foundation in partnership with Building 180 and the Port of San Francisco.
How to Get to Atabey’s Treasure
Atabey’s Treasure is in the Brannan Street Wharf Park right next to Pier 36. The MUNI N Judah stops at 4th & Brannan 24 hours a day and is a short walk over to Atabey.
Due to Atabey being so beautifully lit up in the nighttime, there is really no bad time of day to go and see this installation.
If you are able to see Atabey or picnic by it, you should. It is truly beautiful site on the edge of the bay.
Welcome home, Atabey!
Katterhaus is a publication by artist Kate Carlin that appreciates the extraordinary from the ordinary. From queer editorials to sculptures to skateboards, KC is on an adventure to never stop creating, no matter what it may be.
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