Under the Sea

This is an interesting intersection of Art and Political Crisis. I stumbled onto it as Jeff and I are doing research for our upcoming trip abroad. Part of the time will be spent in Barcelona along the coast. And this popped up in the Mediterranean off the island of Lanzarote. Sadly this is WAY too far away from where we will be.

It is the fabulous creation of sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor and it is being dubbed Museo Atlantico. The catch is that it is all totally below the water level on a clear reef. You have to snorkel in order to see the exhibit. There are several large installations that sit on the ocean floor. Most have a policital nature. The Raft of Lamedusa is a takeoff of Gericault's Raft of Medusa and features refugees attempting to cross over the sea into freedom. Somber material there. 

 
Another is called Rubicon where an entire army of civilians are walking blindly towards a fence paying no attention to the threat of global warming and climate change. Heavy subject matter, haunting works of art.

The ambitious works are detailed and molded on actual humans and then carefully lowered and placed into the reef by a team of divers who follow extensive care as they are set. I think they sound amazing.
Jason deCaire Taylor