From the Playa to the Bay: NiNo Alicea’s ATABEY’S TREASURE and GOT FRAMED Rise Again in San Francisco

From the Playa to the Bay: NiNo Alicea’s ATABEY’S TREASURE and GOT FRAMED Rise Again in San Francisco By Alexandra Bonnet

Renowned Puerto Rican artist, El NiNo, has brought two of his large-scale art pieces, Got Framed and Atabey’s Treasure, out of retirement and on display in the beautiful city of San Francisco. Both pieces made their debut on the playa, at Burning Man; and from dust to sea breeze, they live and breathe again! 

A TIMELESS JOURNEY

You see, when the whirlwind and magical experience of bringing an art piece to Burning Man ends,  there is usually a question that the artist ponders: where will my piece go next? After spending countless hours, days, weeks, and months bringing to life what was once a mere idea, the thrill of seeing it shine again never quite goes away. You have seen first hand the incredible impact your piece has on those who witness it – the joy, the love, the tears, the never ending photo opportunities and the sense of togetherness – and all you can think about is continuing to spread that around the world. Keeping the spirit of both pieces alive, El NiNo and the team of exceptional beings he brought together, The Parliament Art Crew (PAC), have been chosen to showcase them both at San Francisco’s iconic Embarcadero waterfront. The installations are part of the newly launched Big Art Loop public art program, organized by Building 180 and the Sijbrandij Foundation with Ready To Play Art assistance. This initiative transforms San Francisco’s waterfront into a year-round open-air gallery, featuring works by globally recognized artists while fostering community connection through public art. 

“Having Got Framed and Atabey’s Treasure at the Embarcadero is an incredible honor,” shared NiNo. “These installations were created to spark curiosity and storytelling while carrying the spirit of my Puerto Rican heritage. Seeing them rooted in a space as iconic as San Francisco’s waterfront reminds me of the power art has to connect communities across cultures.” Both works will remain on display for one year, with the possibility of extension or permanent acquisition.

Images by Calvin Lam POWERFUL IMPACT The last time I laid eyes on Atabey’s Treasure was at Burning Man and to see her shine again – and this time by the sea front, her natural element – is truly a sight to see. Being part of The Parliament Art Crew has brought such light and vibrant color into my life and even though I did not know NiNo at the time he built Got Framed, I feel as though that piece has been integrated into my life through the incredible love and words NiNo has shared surrounding it. Both pieces represent important elements of NiNo’s heart from his Abuela to his home– Puerto Rico. They are an homage and pièce de résistance set to bring awareness to the environmental struggles the island undergoes.

“ The PAC is my family of skilled makers and visionaries, each one bringing their unique talent and dedication to elevate every project we make together,” shared NiNo with a bright grin.

Carrying that same soulful spirit of Puerto Rico are works of NiNo’s – Múcaro, Coquí and Pitirre. Múcaro, a 32-foot-tall sculpture of a wise, wooden owl, watched over the playa with its rotating head offering a full panoramic view. Its exterior was clad in reclaimed-wood “feathers,” and at night, warm light from within the head cast an amber glow through its eyes. 

In 2024, I had the immense pleasure of working on Coquí, a large-scale wooden piece representing the charming arboreal frog who sings amid the sounds of the rainforest where he lives. Its charm was seen and felt across the Playa as it invited curious minds to “explore its many attributes and fully immerse in its world as it sings “Ko-Kee,” as NiNo explains. 

And this last year, NiNo mentored fellow Puerto Rican muralist, JuanDelPueblo and they reimagined another icon from Puerto Rican’s nature, the gray kingbird also known as Pitirre. I have seen the impact these pieces have first hand. They bring tears, relief, love, joy, and laughter to those who get to experience them. Each of these works embodies a different thread of Puerto Rican identity, yet all are united by purpose: to captivate, to educate, and to honor the island they call home.

If you find yourself in San Francisco, I welcome you to take a stroll in the Big Art Loop and absorb the light that comes from such meaningful art pieces. Personally, I am starting to look at fights in 2026 to experience it myself! I am so proud of you, NiNo. 

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