Best known for his vivid geometric murals full of fantastical animals, which brighten up everything from derelict churches to fleets of freighters, street artist Okuda San Miguel has crafted a massive 3D sculptural centerpiece for the annual Fallas celebration in Valencia, Spain. The 100-foot-tall cardboard sculpture stood for just four days before it was ritualistically burned, along with the rest of the art created for the festival, in a celebration of ephemeral human achievements.

Colour Faces . . . . . . . . . . #valencia #mascletà #falles #fallas #festamajor #colours #faces #igersvalencia

A post shared by Miguel Garrido (@garrido110) on Mar 22, 2018 at 2:45pm PDT

¡L’ Equilibri universal! Principio genial + “cremà” final solemne ?? Muchos tuvieron una visión diferente… pero yo valoré su colorido ? atrevimiento y apuesta por marcar la diferencia. ¡No cabe comparación! ¡¡Guapísima!! ?? #okuda #okudart #latorreysanz #falles #fallas #valencia ? #art #UNESCO

A post shared by María D. Sánchez Sánchez (@loladreamsart) on Mar 21, 2018 at 3:39pm PDT

Esta semana está siendo un poco cuesta arriba! Las Fallas ? han dejado cansancio pero sobretodo muy buenos momentos! Este fin de semana voy a ir a ver la exposición de @okudart en el Centre del Carme ya que no he tenido suficiente con la falla del ayuntamiento. Mi favorita! • • This week it’s being soooo hard! The Fallas ? got me exhausted but they also left with some great moments and memories! This weekend I’ll be visiting Okuda’s exhibition in Centre del Carme cause I can’t get enough of his art! My favourite falla! • • #valencia #falles #vlc #fallas #art #okuda #view #perfect #colour #trip #travel #tourism #instatravel #instapassport #travelgram #travelpics #photooftheday #instamood #instacool #travellingattitude

A post shared by Majo – Travelling Attitude (@travellingattitude) on Mar 21, 2018 at 11:42am PDT

The festival, honoring Saint Joseph, sees three million visitors descend upon a city of one million to dance, celebrate the beginning of Spring, drink sangria in the streets and watch a bunch of things burn. Among the sculptural ‘sacrifices’ are traditionally a series of giant ‘ninots’ (puppets or dolls) including satirical figures. This year, it was Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. Just before midnight on ‘La Crema,’ the last day of the festival, the crowds begin changing and the streetlights are turned off before fireworks explode and everything is set ablaze.

FALLAS DE VALENCIA 2018 ? ?Valencia (Comunidad Valenciana) ? Artista: @okudart ?Comparte tus rutas con nosotros etiquetando con #vamosderuta ? @albauso . #valencia #comunitatvalenciana #fallas #falles #fallas2018 #fallesunesco #valenciaturisme #monumento #art #colour #colorful #fire #igers #valenciagramers #igersvalencia #picoftheday #sompatrimoni #photooftheday #photography #igerscs_fallas #photographer #instaart #igdaily #painting #paint #beautiful #creative #artist #artwork

A post shared by Vamos de ruta ? (@vamosderuta) on Mar 19, 2018 at 11:49am PDT

#falles

A post shared by Nati Sendra (@natisfillol) on Mar 21, 2018 at 2:01pm PDT

«L´Equilibri Universal» by @okudart . . . . . . . . . . . . #fallas #falles #okudart #valencia #festival #fiesta #fuego #fire #artecontemporaneo #contemporaryart #me #cute #follow #followme #photootheday #happy #tagsforlikes #beautiful #picoftheday #like4like #fun #summer #instadaily #igers #instalike #amazing #follow4follow #bestoftheday #gay

A post shared by DAVID MAR†INEZ (@davidbundner) on Mar 22, 2018 at 2:24pm PDT

Asked by El Periodico before the festival whether he was ready to see the piece burn, Okuda said, “No I’m not. I think I’m going to have a sentimental craze, because it’s the most amazing piece I’ve done in 3D and I’m freaking out with every piece that comes out. I’m going to cry. With the cool thing that we have built, I’m sure I will not understand very well that it’s going to burn, but I think the millions of people who are around this and who have such a strong feeling will make me understand.”

Li vaig demanar a l’equip de Reyes Martí que cuidara molt la Cremà per ser el moment que dóna sentit a la festa de les #falles i el seu gran impacte mediàtic . I en novembre els vaig acompanyar a visitar la falla als tallers per què comprovaren amb els #artistesfallers @latorreysanz les seues possibilitats. És quedaren enamorats del colorit d’ @okudart i ahir, a pesar de les inclemències metereològiques i del contratemps familiar ens oferiren un autèntic show per a una cremà de flama neta. Possiblement la cremà més colorida i espectacular que jo recorde.

A post shared by Pere Fuset (@perefuset) on Mar 20, 2018 at 10:48am PDT

Llegó el ritual del fuego y nuestra falla, la falla municipal 2018, ya es historia… Muchas emociones al verla quemar. Da igual que llevemos 30 años plantando #Fallas, siempre se tiene una sensación distinta este día y 2018 ha sido realmente especial. Ya es todo cenizas, pero no es el final… es el principio de un nuevo año fallero #hello2019 #latorreysanz #okuda #okudart #valencia #fallas #cremà

A post shared by latorreysanz (@latorreysanz) on Mar 19, 2018 at 6:31pm PDT

“This is one of the great traditional festivals of Spain because, to start, it’s art, it’s not just bulls running and I do not know what. Fallas are constructions that artisans make for a year and with a history of more than a century. I find it incredible.”