La Perla Bowl (2006)

The La Perla Bowl is a social sculpture that is also an actual skateboarding bowl during the week and a public swimming pool on the weekends. The bowl was handmade and collaboratively built in front of the Atlantic Ocean, outside the Old San Juan walls, on reclaimed land with recycled materials — from and like the community where it stands, La Perla.

The La Perla Bowl was created with collaborator Roberto “Boly” Cortez, a veteran skateboarder; Luiggi Ramos, a resident and surfer from La Perla; and with the help of neighbors from the community, skaters, surfers, and people from around Puerto Rico.

The La Perla Bowl has gained international recognition as both a skateboarding destination and a tourist spot. The surrounding buildings have been developed into bars and restaurants by neighbors, thanks to the visibility the Bowl has received in movies, pop music videos, magazines, websites, and other media outlets.