Underwater Sculptures Protecting Marine Life

A storm slammed Grenada in the Caribbean in 2006, and Jason deCaires Taylor, a British sculptor, was on the island at the time. Large swaths of the coral reef system were destroyed by the hurricane.

Photo Insert: One of Jason's installations in Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Spain

Jason, who grew up in various areas of the world but was always in close proximity to the sea, wants his art to be more than "just art." Thomas Duthois and Benjie Croce reported for Euronews that he wants it to serve a secondary purpose.

The passage of the hurricane served as a catalyst for him. He chose to make underwater sculptures that might be utilized as structures for the growth of new corals and the flowering of marine life, as well as a distraction for visitors and divers, offering relief to the devastated areas.

“I think it's a bit of a cliché to say we're living in unprecedented times. But the reality is we are and our oceans are dramatically changing,” Taylor said.

The coral reefs of Grenada are not the only ones in danger. Various issues, including rising temperatures, increased acidification, overfishing, and pollution, are placing it at risk all over the world. And, despite the unambiguous messages from the scientific community, we are slow to respond, according to Jason.

We interpret the world through tales, according to Jason, who studied sculpture in college. He goes on to say that because art has the potential to tell tales, artists are crucial in merging science into a message that is both emotional and makes you feel connected to the situation.

Another component Jason values is making his art environmentally relevant to the region where it is shown. As a result, a significant portion of the job takes place upstream, where Jason meets with local marine authorities and a team of biologists to define the best site.

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