Six sculptures by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor have been flooded along the French coast off Cannes: a meeting point for nature, culture and art.
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Jason deCaires Taylor is a British sculptor, environmentalist and underwater photographer who has specialized in gigantic underwater sculptures. His creations can be seen off the coast of Mexico, Bahamas and in the Caribbean. His work is listed in the 25 wonders of the world.
In January, Taylor's sculptures finally arrived in Europe, specifically in France for the first European underwater art gallery.
The six monumental sculptures were submerged on January 28th, 2020, off the island of Sainte-Marguerite, right in front of Cannes, at a depth of five meters.
Two meters high and weighing nine tones, the artworks are inspired by the legend of the prisoner with the Iron Mask, who spent eleven years the years in the prison on Sainte-Marguerite Island, from 1687 to 1698.
Beyond the pop reference, the impact of the statues on the biological balance is the real focus of the project. With this underwater eco-museum deCaires Taylor has laid the foundations for a refuge for the flora and fauna that live in this particularly difficult stretch of the Mediterranean due to the high urban density on the coast and the large number of boats.
"A meeting point for nature, culture, art and the educational aspect has been achieved," said David Lisnard, Mayor of Cannes, who is leading the initiative.
Nature will transform and animate the artworks made of ecological concrete. The aim is to turn the six statues into artificial reefs which, over time, will be covered with algae and coral, becoming a natural refuge for underwater life.
