BY: JESSICA BEUKER
In 2006, sculptor and installation artist Jason deCaires Taylor unveiled the first-ever underwater sculpture park, Vicissitudes, located off the coast of Grenada. Today, after two years of hard work, he is featuring his latest project, Musea Atlantica, in the Atlantic Ocean. Comprised of over 300 sculptures of various shapes and sizes, the project is meant to serve as an underwater botanical garden.
According to Good Magazine, Taylor’s work grew out of childhood days spent exploring Malaysia’s coral reefs. Raised in Europe and Asia, Taylor trained in sculpting, but eventually became a fully-qualified diving instructor, naturalist and award-winning underwater photographer.
Taylor trained in sculpting, but eventually became a fully-qualified diving instructor, naturalist and award-winning underwater photographer.
Taylor’s sculptures undergo constant metamorphoses, according to Good Magazine. This is a result of natural occurrences like coral reef buildup. The new project represents a division between two worlds – each piece is part human, and part plant, tree or organic structure.
Taylor’s sculptures undergo constant metamorphoses.
Each piece is part human, and part plant, tree or organic structure.
While sculpting materials vary because of the diversity of the projects, the majority of sculptures are made from a special type of marine cement. He never uses metals because they are corrosive and pollute the environment.
Taylor is very conscientious of his project’s effects on the surrounding environment. One of the reasons that the newest installation has taken so long to complete is that studies had to be performed to ensure that the sculptures wouldn’t impact the surrounding marine life. The Spanish government sponsors the project and enforces the use of permits.
Taylor is very conscientious of his project’s effects on the surrounding environment.
Taylor explained to Good Magazine that his sculptures are often colonized by marine life, especially ones seeking shelter from predators. As a result, the pieces, which are designed to last for hundreds of years, are all unique and diverse.
Image sources: underwatersculpture.com