UNDERWATER ART
27 Feb 2017
A new underwater public art museum โ Museo Atlantico - has opened in Lanzarote, Spain, offering patrons the unique opportunity to scuba dive through a 2500sqm 'gallery' to view over 300 stunning sculptures.
Located near the South coast of Lanzarote in Spain, Museo Atlantico is the first sub-aquatic museum in Europe. Built 12m underwater, this is an exhibition you can only experience if you know how to scuba dive.
The project was built with the intent of merging environmental conservation awareness with tourism and art. In its 2500sqm exhibition area you can find over 300 mesmerising sculptures by renowned British artist Jason deCaires Taylor.
Taylor is no stranger to the spotlight. He became known back in 2006 with the creation of the world’s first underwater sculpture park, installed off the west coast of Grenada and listed by National Geographic as one of the Top 25 Wonders of the World.
He also co-founded MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte), located between Cancun and Isla Mujeres in Mexico, and recently finished what can be the biggest underwater sculpture ever made, a mammoth 60 ton, 18-foot (2.5m) work titled ‘Ocean Atlas’ located in the Bahamas.
Taylor is recognised for creating eerie scenes that evoke both romantic and apocalyptic feelings. His sculptures are made from non-toxic, neutral PH grade cement that attracts marine biomass to facilitate the reproduction of various species. In time, these sculptures will become a living, breathing part of the environment.
Museo Atlantico is certainly not the first of its kind. Other spectacular and similar endeavours like MUSA in Mexico and Herod’s Harbor in Israel have made headlines in the past. But this one stands out because of its scale and incredibly detailed art works.
Museo Atlantico opened in January and is available to the public on weekdays from 10 am to 5 pm. A dive costs €12 (AUD$17) and they provide you with all the gear and guidance needed.
“I hope that the Museo Atlántico of Lanzarote represents an entry point to a different world and promotes a better understanding of our precious marine environment and of how much we depend on it,” said Pedro San Ginés, president of the local government of Lanzarote.