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The Hand

The Hand is a sculpture on the beach in Punta del Este, in the Maldonado department of Uruguay, and one of the city’s main tourist attractions. Created by Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal, it shows the fingertips of five fingers emerging from the sand. The structure is made of cement covered with plastic and protective anti-corrosion materials, supported by a steel frame. It was unveiled in 1982 during the first annual international open-air meeting of contemporary sculptors in Punta del Este. Irarrázabal intended the sinking hand as a warning to swimmers, and its meaning is associated with human presence in nature.

The Hand sculpture rising from the sand on a beach with the ocean and blue sky in the background.
The Hand sculpture on the beach at Punta del Este, Uruguay.
November 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Hand sculpture rising from the sand on a beach with the ocean and a distant island behind it.
The Hand sculpture stands partly buried in the sand with the sea and a distant island in the background.
August 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Hand sculpture with five rounded fingers emerging from a sand dune, with a walkway, cityscape, and ocean in the background.
The Hand sculpture rises from the sand along Punta del Este’s shoreline, with the city and ocean beyond.
September 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Hand sculpture rising from a sandy beach at sunset, with the ocean in the background.
The Hand sculpture stands on the beach with the ocean behind it at sunset.
December 2014 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Hand sculpture rising from a sandy beach with the ocean and blue sky behind it, with a woman seated on one of the fingers.
The Hand sculpture on the beach in Punta del Este, with a woman sitting on one of the fingers.
October 2013 © · CC BY-SA 2.0

Identification

TitleThe Hand
Alternative namesLa Mano; Los Dedos; Hombre emergiendo a la vida; A Mão; Os Dedos; Homem emergindo à vida; Dedos; Ruka Punta-del-Este
TypeSculpture

Creator

ArtistMario Irarrázabal
Artist nationalityChilean

Historical context

Creation eventThe first annual international open-air meeting of contemporary sculptors in Punta del Este in 1982
Number of participating sculptorsNine
Artist's position in the eventThe youngest of the nine sculptors
Original intended siteA public square in Punta del Este
Reason for beach locationAfter a dispute over the public square locations, Irarrázabal chose to make the sculpture on the beach
Intended meaningA warning to swimmers
Artist's interpretation of meaningHuman presence in nature
Creation timeSummer 1982
Completion timeThe first six days of the summer project
Planned durationThe entire summer
Weather conditions during creationMinor delays caused by the strong southeast wind common in Punta del Este

Physical characteristics

DimensionsAbout 5 meters wide and about 3 meters high
DepictionThe tips of five human fingers emerging from the sand

Materials

MaterialsConcrete and plastic
Structural reinforcementSteel bars and metal mesh
Surface treatmentThe plastic exterior was coated with a degradation-resistant solvent and protective anti-corrosion materials

Location and ownership

LocationParada 1, Brava Beach, Punta del Este, Maldonado Department, Uruguay
Current locationStill at its original location on the beach in Punta del Este
Site descriptionA popular seaside resort and tourist town

History and restoration

VandalismThe work was vandalized in January 2025
ConditionLargely intact and still in its original place
Damage or alterationGraffiti on the palm side of the fingers made in 2005
Completion dateFebruary 1982

Significance

StatusA symbol of Punta del Este and one of Uruguay's most recognizable landmarks
Cultural presenceFeatured on postcards and tourist photographs
RecognitionGave Mario Irarrázabal international renown
Later related works by the artistSimilar compositions were later built in Madrid (1987), the Atacama Desert in Chile (1992; Mano del Desierto / Hand of the Desert), and Venice (1995)

Other

Event associationsDuring the 2010 Punta del Este Grand Prix, organizers placed a glove on the fingers; the 2015 Punta del Este ePrix held the podium ceremony next to the sculpture
LongevityIt had stood for about 40 years