An underwater art museum, teeming with life | Jason deCaires Taylor

Summary

The artist recounts his journey of creating the world's first underwater sculpture park, transforming marine environments into vibrant ecosystems. With projects like 'Ocean Atlas' and underwater botanical gardens, he uses art to foster coral growth and fish aggregation, while raising awareness of ocean conservation. His work has led to tangible environmental benefits, such as new marine protected areas and increased public engagement with the ocean's fragility, urging a shift in perception towards viewing the ocean as a sacred entity worthy of preservation.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The artist's first underwater sculpture, 'The Lost Correspondent,' was submerged off Grenada, leading to the creation of the world's first underwater sculpture park.
• 🌊 The artist collaborated with a marine biologist and dive center to transform the sculpture into a habitat that grew into a vibrant underwater community.
• 📚 The artist's work in Mexico started with casting local fishermen, evolving into a movement for ocean defense and an underwater museum with over 500 living sculptures.
• 🏺 'Ocean Atlas' in the Bahamas and the underwater botanical garden in Lanzarote are examples of large-scale designs that encourage marine life using pH-neutral cement and specific positioning.
• 🔨 The artist uses materials and techniques that provide stable platforms for coral polyps to attach and aggregate fish, even incorporating living habitats within sculptures like the VW Beetle.
• 🤔 The artist questions the difficulty of exhibiting in the ocean, yet finds the results awe-inspiring, with the ocean offering a unique and ever-changing exhibition space.
• 🌍 The sculptures become part of the sea the moment they are submerged, forming new reefs and evolving into a world that amazes the artist, showcasing nature's unmatched creativity.
• 🏞️ The artist emphasizes the importance of viewing the ocean as sacred, akin to revered places and objects, to inspire protection and conservation.
• 🔍 The artist's work has had positive environmental impacts, such as creating new habitats, drawing attention to pollution, and supporting marine protection areas.
• 🌐 The artist aspires to collaborate with various professionals to envision and create better futures for the oceans, extending beyond sculpture and art.
• 🚀 The artist envisions a future where art and innovation can inspire new ways of seeing and protecting the oceans, as sacred and precious environments.

Q & A

What was the artist's first underwater sculpture called and where was it submerged?

The artist's first underwater sculpture was called 'The Lost Correspondent' and it was submerged off the coast of Grenada in an area affected by Hurricane Ivan.

How did the artist's first sculpture transform over time?

The first sculpture transformed from one into two, then into 26, eventually creating the world's first underwater sculpture park.

What happened when the artist moved to Mexico and started casting local fishermen?

The artist's project in Mexico grew from casting local fishermen to a small community and almost an entire movement of people in defense of the sea, leading to the creation of an underwater museum with over 500 living sculptures.

What inspired the artist to create underwater sculptures?

The artist was inspired by the beauty and fragility of marine life and the need to raise awareness about ocean conservation.