During the All Saints' Day weekend, beachgoers at La Ciotat were captivated by two strikingly realistic sand sculptures created by a mysterious traveling artist. The works, which blend spirituality and meditation on mortality, were crafted by Alex, a Hungarian globe-trotter known as "El Nómada Errante" (The Wandering Nomad), who is cycling his way around the world.
The first sculpture depicted a hooded skeleton holding a parchment with the chilling message "YOU'RE ON MY LIST," resembling something straight out of a medieval allegory of Death. The haunting figure seemed to emerge from the sand itself, capturing the attention of weekend strollers with its unsettling realism and powerful symbolism.
The second creation offered a contrasting but equally poignant image: Christ on the Cross, with arms opened wide toward the marine horizon. This more peaceful sculpture provided a sense of serenity and hope, balancing the darker themes of the first work while maintaining the same level of artistic skill and emotional impact.
These ephemeral artworks bear the signature of Alex, alias El Nómada Errante, an itinerant artist who travels the world by bicycle. His ambitious journey takes him from Europe to Mongolia, and he plans to continue onward to El Salvador. Through his art, he sustains both his travels and his spiritual quest, creating temporary masterpieces that speak to universal human experiences.
On a sign accompanying his work, Alex explains that each sculpture nourishes his journey and keeps him alive on the road. His humble yet profound message reads: "If this work made you feel something, let your gesture carry me a little further." This appeal for support reflects both the practical needs of a traveling artist and the deeper connection he seeks to forge with his audience.
The timing of these sculptures during the All Saints' Day weekend adds particular resonance to their message. Life, faith, and death intersect in a silent dialogue, sculpted in sand before being inevitably erased by the sea. The temporary nature of the medium itself becomes part of the artwork's meaning, emphasizing the fleeting nature of existence and the importance of the present moment.
Between ephemeral art, spiritual quest, and human adventure, Alex's works remind viewers that travel is not merely a physical displacement, but a way of inhabiting the world. His sculptures exist for just an instant before the tide washes them away, leaving only memories and the emotional impact they created in those who witnessed them. This transient quality transforms the beach into a temporary gallery where art, nature, and human experience converge in a powerful meditation on mortality and meaning.
