More Mysterious, Subaqueous Sculptures

A couple of months back, we posted a picture of a sub-aqueous Christ, his mortal flesh transmuted to Algae, screaming to God in the flickering heavens above as brightly colored fish flirted about him. It was a great example of underwater sculpture: how the ocean's ecosystem, much like moss or decay above water, can accentuate the emotional tenor of a work.

Similarly, I love Jason Taylor's Underwater Sculpture park in Grenada, West Indies, which creates an entire museum gallery out of the bottom of the ocean for divers to swim through and pretentiously frame with their thumb and forefingers.

An underwater gallery creates a whole new perspective on the world. Submerged objects are affected by different conditions both physical and emotional. Objects appear 25% larger and closer, colours are changed as light is absorbed differently by the water. The surface of the sea creates an ever-changing kaleidoscope of light, whilst its turbidity acts as a filter. The aquatic medium affords the viewer a multitude of angles and perspectives and thus transforms the traditional role of passive observer into an active process of discovery and engagement.

The ocean provides a setting imbued with mystery. Observers are invited to appreciate the works of art whilst questioning their circumstances and history. The viewer is immediately committed and involved to the environment and becomes part of the work itself. The sculptures will be an ever changing exhibition as nature colonizes the surface and the sea and tidal movement shapes the texture.

This sort of stuff always makes me wish that the feel of seaweed touching my exposed skin didn't cause me to spend the next ten minutes in girlish sobs. I'd love to go diving to see something like this.

Underwater Sculpture Gallery [Official Site