Two artists, Nora Ligorano and Marshall Reese, are making a statement at both parties' conventions with "temporary monuments" to America's struggling middle class. They funded the project, Morning in America, on Kickstarter, raising over $5,000 from backers. The video below shows the 2,000-pound artwork melting over a period of four and a half hours in Tampa. Ligorano and Reese plan to create another installation in Charlotte at the Democratic National Convention on September 4. 

In their artists statement, Ligorano and Reese describe the inspiration for the piece, which takes its name from Reagan's 1984 reelection campaign:

Why a park? Why place the work there? The park parallels the growth and flourishing of the Middle Class. At the beginning of the 21st century, as corporate endorsements crowd out public space and the work week expands 24/7, both the Middle Class and their use of public space are endangered.

In this context, Morning In America becomes a disturbing commentary: the Middle Class and all its vestiges are melting away, decaying as much from the rays of the searing Sun, as from the result of avaricious politicians and corporations.

For videos from Morning in America, visit the YouTube channel.