Creative Time Sandcastle Competition 2012 at Rockaway Beach (SLIDE SHOW)

The inaugural Creative Time Sandcastle Competition at Rockaway Beach gave local artists three hours in which to construct sand monuments that would stand until the end of time—or at least until the tide came in. Living fountains, traditional sand strongholds and even a fair likeness of the Roman Colosseum transformed the oceanfront landscape of Queens for the day, and perhaps signaled the start of a new New York summer tradition.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Rockaway Beach in NY