In an effort to place Rosarito on the international cultural map, renowned visual artist Rocio Hoffman has created a striking public sculpture symbolizing a unique piece of the city’s history—its role in the filming of Titanic. The artwork boldly declares: “The Titanic sank in Rosarito.”

Hoffman explained that the idea had been with her for years, though limited resources had previously prevented her from bringing it to life. “This idea has been circling in my mind for a long time. I’ve made souvenirs with the phrase ‘The Titanic sank in Rosarito’—a playful but meaningful nod to the fact that the film’s iconic scenes were shot here,” she said.

The opportunity finally arrived when fellow artist and cultural promoter Benito del Águila challenged creators to design a piece reflecting artistic exchange between borders. The announcement that Rosarito would host the 2025 Tianguis Turístico, Mexico’s major tourism trade event, added further motivation.

“I immediately thought—a Titanic sculpture would meet both goals. The challenge was how to make it. I considered wood, but it wouldn’t last. So I went to metalworker Víctor Chávez with a small budget and proposed the idea. At first, it was going to be flat due to cost constraints. I even looked for sponsors, but couldn’t secure any. So I started small—selling miniature versions I call Titanicsitos to raise the funds,” Hoffman explained.

Chávez eventually suggested making the piece three-dimensional, a more ambitious approach that raised the cost but also made the artwork far more visually impactful. Hoffman decided to proceed.

“There’s been some controversy online, so I want to clarify: the artist conceives the idea, and the artisan helps bring it to life. But it’s still the artist’s creation. Look at the Statue of Liberty—it was first modeled in clay by the artist, and then constructed by workers. An architect gets credit for a building, not the bricklayers. The same applies here,” she noted.

Hoffman sought for weeks to secure a dignified exhibition space at the Baja California Center, the venue for the Tianguis Turístico, but received no official response. Eventually, hotelier Hugo Antonio Torres offered a solution.

“I explained the situation to Hugo, and he said, ‘Place it at the Rosarito Beach Hotel, wherever you like.’ When nothing else came through, I went with Víctor to see him, and we found the perfect place—the pier. Without hesitation, he arranged to have the sculpture brought over. Now it’s on public display at the pier,” she said.

Hoffman invites art lovers to visit the sculpture on April 27, when she will present a live artistic intervention starting at 12 p.m..

She concluded by emphasizing her goal as an artist: to elevate Rosarito’s cultural profile and celebrate its cinematic heritage. The film industry, she said, once played a vital economic role in the city, and this sculpture honors that legacy.

“The piece represents a chapter in our city’s story—Titanic was one of the most successful films in history. This is not just art, it’s identity. Rosarito deserves public art, and we have talented metalworkers and artisans who can make incredible things,” she said.