When a tire burns, it does so for days, the flames gnawing unceremoniously at the rubber form that refuses to relent. Thick, acrid smoke can be seen from far and wide, polluting our air with compounds harmful to all manner of beasts. Though Israeli artist Gal Weinstein’s Fire Tires are not toxic to stand near, the realism presented within is worthy of pointed observation—never did I think that a tire on fire could be considered beautiful.
Described as a commentary on the state of global pollution, Fire Tires stand over 13 ft. high, made of wool, wax, Styrofoam, polyester, and graphite. After a solo exhibition in Switzerland in 2011, the installation was “gifted by Outset Israel [a philanthropic organization founded to support emerging artists and their work] to a public collection.”
