Artist：ason de Caires Taylor
Date：2010
Location：Museo Subacuático de Arte (MUSA) in The National Marine Park of Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc , Cancun , Mexico
Media/Type：Concrete sculptures.
Materials: Cement, sand, micro silica, fibre glass, live
coral.
Commissioner：Museo Subacuático de Arte (MUSA)
Researcher：Karen Olson
This work is a monumental underwater sculptural installation. It consists of over 400 permanent life-sized sculptures that form a complex reef structure for marine life to colonize and inhabit, which alleviates pressure on existing natural reefs. The casts for “Silent Evolution” were taken from a broad cross-section of society, predominantly Mexican, with various occupations represented from around the globe. The work illustrates the serious problems we are facing concerning our impact on the environment and the natural world. The manifestation of living organisms cohabitating with and ingrained in our bodies is intended to remind us of our close dependency on nature and the respect we should afford it.
The work’s appeal lies in its magnitude, scale and delicate details — and the pure magic of its shallow water location. The sculptures acquire their own life force once submerged, so that the powerful message is that human intervention can facilitate the strength and renewal of nature. The sculptures will change appearance over time, as coral grows and marine life establishes itself.
The Silent Evolution is unique in fusing public art with an environmental conservation objective on a grand scale; it also draws visitors away from more fragile natural reefs nearby. Visitors can view the works, made from pH-neutral concrete, via scuba diving, snorkeling, or riding in glass-bottomed boats. The completed work is one of the largest and most ambitious underwater artificial attractions in the world.
|
