You’re snorkelling under the waters of the Molinere Bay, and suddenly, unexpectedly, you’re surrounded by numerous faces and lifeless human forms…
Worry not amigo, you just found yourself amidst the artworks created by Jason deCaires Taylor. Art instalments where you’d least expect them- this underwater sculpture park allures you with its genius. This strange and mystic place which is located in the Caribbean Sea, off the west coast of Grenada, West Indies, is a feat to protect the reefs in these waters from depletion due to them being subjected to overexposure.
Good intentions? Great Intentions.
And you can expect that something driven by such greatness can only equate to only one thing- itself. Taylor has let Mother Nature weave itself around his creations, increasing the beauty and uniqueness of the park. His art is made home by the various sea critters- ‘The Silent Evolution’- a string of 400 sculptures that attract tourists and simultaneously offer sea life a brand new home.
In an article in Symposium Magazine Taylor quotes “The underwater sculpture gallery is a project aiming to create a unique space which highlights environmental processes and explores the complex relationships between art and its environment. This unique project will provide an unparalleled opportunity to explore a dynamic seascape and to appreciate the island’s beauty and diversity”
Some of the Notable Figures here include- The Grace Reef, which is cast from the body of a local Grenadian woman and positioned lying down on the sea floor. The Lost Correspondent is referenced to be a modern day Vesuvius disaster; he is a lone concrete figure at a desk poised over a typewriter, holding political significance from the Cuban alignment before the revolution. The Unstill Life is a classical study of an artist’s still life using simple modern day objects like a table, vase and fruit bowl. The static sculpture overtime has its appearance constantly changed by the course of nature. Vicissitudes is Taylor’s most recognised work in the park, a ring of 26 standing children, holding hands and facing outwards into the current. The ring symbolises the concept of life’s ongoing cycle and highlights the importance of creating a sustainable and well managed environment for future generations, holding reference to the ability of children to adapt to their surroundings. The Fall from Grace is a life size male figure riding a bicycle. After months in the ocean, aquatic life has already made it a home.
The Sculptures are sympathetically located to enhance the reef, making natural use of its varied topography of craggy gullies and sun-dappled sandy patches. As artificial reefs, these sculptures are proving highly successful so far in attracting a stunning array of varied marine life. In doing so and attracting visitors, they have indeed fulfilled a role in easing the environmental pressure on other reefs in the locality. Coral reefs are interesting by themselves, as it is. Imagine it merged with unique sculptures that each, stand for something, highlighting something in a way only true art can. Mesmerising, isn’t it?
The project is considered one of the world’s most unique travel destinations – Beauty in every element. Genius in every aspect. Art in every part. This is one place that calls you out to experience the unique blend of Nature with man-made forms.
Different. Unique. Genius- The Molinere underwater Sculpture Park.
Tags: Molinere Bay MOLINERE UNDERWATER SCULPTURE PARK
