Giant Hand In The Desert

Deep in the the Atacama desert in Chile emerges a giant sculpture of a hand. A popular photo spot for tourist visiting the Atacama. The hand was constructed at an altitude of 1,100 meters above sea level. The work has a base of iron and cement, and stands 11 meters tall. The sculpture was inaugurated on March 28, 1992. The sculpture is located about 70 kilometers to the south of Antofagasta, Chile. The artist behind Mano de Desierto, The Hand of the Desert is the Chilean sculptor Mario Irarrázabal.

Hand in the Atacama desert, by Mario Irarrázabal

Mano del Desierto is located 75 kilometers to the south of Antofagasta, take Route 28, to Route 5. The sculpture is located 300 meters from the side of northbound Route 5 which is part of the Panamerican Highway.75 kilometers to the south of Antofagasta,
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Mario Irarrázabal has also produced several other bizarre pieces In Madrid, Venice and Uruguay.
Monumento al Ahogado, constucted in 1982, a sculpture of five fingers partially submerged in sand, located on Parada 4 at Brava Beach, Punta del Este, Uruguay.
"La Mano" by Mario Irarrazabal in Punta del Este (Uruguay)

"La Mano" by Mario Irarrazabal in Punta del Este (Uruguay)

The Inspiration behind Monumento al Ahogado, was to make a sculpture of a hand “drowning” as a warning to swimmers, as the waters at La Barra up the beach had rougher waves which were better for surfing only, while the other way, waters at Solanas were much more suited for swimming practice and windsurfing activities.