Did you know the photo above is a 60-ton sculpture found in the ocean right now? It is called the Ocean Atlas and it was created in The Bahamas back in 2014 by Jason deCaires Taylor.
Did you know that underwater sculptures help in the conservation and preservation of marine ecosystems? In fact these sculptures become artificial reefs. These reefs attract "a host of marine species including corals, sponges, hydroids and algae, increasing overall reef biomass and aggregating fish species, which in turn can support an entire marine ecosystem," as said by underwatersculpture.com
Sculptor, environmentalist and professional photographer Jason deCaires Taylor has proven the possibility of conserving marine life through his underwater sculptures. Over the last decade, he has created underwater "Museums" and "Sculpture Parks" with collections of over 850 works. In 2006, he was able to create the world's first underwater sculpture park located in west coast of Grenada in the West Indies. The said park is now listed in the Top 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic.
Each of deCaires Taylor's sculptures is made of non-toxic, pH neutral grade cement--making it marine-friendly. "The cement is highly durable, with a rough texture that encourages coral larvae to attach and thrive, while nooks and dark cubbyholes formed of folds of clothing provide homes for fish and crustaceans, according to underwatersculpture.com."
deCaires Taylor's underwater museums play a vital role in educating the world about the current situation of our oceans. Each piece of art "is brought alive through its union with the biological marine life that attaches to it and thrives (underwatersculpture.com, n.d.)." The artworks do not only aim to attract marine species to dwell on them, but they also want to bring environmental messages to every person who is either an art goer, an ocean lover, an environmentalist, or a person who is awed by nature's beauty.
More of Jason deCaires Taylor's works here.
