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Melting DeSantis Statue Reveals Skeleton in Tallahassee Protest

An engineered sculpture that liquefied in warm weather was deployed to tie the governor’s climate record to a push for voter action.

Overview

  • A six-foot silver statue called “Denial” visibly lost its face in roughly 30 minutes at its unveiling when the outer layer melted away to expose a skeleton underneath.
  • The melting was engineered using gallium, an element that liquefies at about 85.6°F, after the figure was 3D-scanned and printed and then fabricated and tested for the effect in New York.
  • 350Action commissioned the piece to criticize Governor Ron DeSantis’s climate record, pointing to a 2024 law that removed references to climate change and limited wind and renewable energy programs.
  • Organizers are using the installation and a dedicated website to educate voters on candidates’ climate positions and to drive turnout, with campaign staff urging people to ‘deny climate deniers at the ballot box.’
  • The stunt blends materials engineering and protest art to turn a policy critique into a vivid public message that could sharpen attention to climate issues and influence voter priorities this election season.