A series of new underwater attractions for scuba divers in the form of 12 permanent works of art has been installed in the waters of three Mediterranean islands: Gozo in Malta, Alonissos in Greece, and Ustica in Italy.
Known as the ART4SEA project, the sculptures were created to help people learn about the oceans and take better care of the environment.
The project, co-funded by the European Union and recognised as part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, selected 24 artists from around the world to live on the three islands to draw inspiration for their artworks from local culture, history and myths.
The artists then transformed scientific data and environmental observations from the coastline and sea floor into physical and digital artworks, including murals, underwater sculptures, digital installations and immersive films.
The three installations, which the project leaders say ‘transform the seabed into meeting places between art and the sea’, have all been installed in shallow waters, making them accessible to both divers and snorkellers.
Island artworks
‘A sculpture in the shape of a symbolic vessel, preserving the memory of the Earth while welcoming new life.’
‘A work that lies between myth and waste, denouncing ocean pollution and inviting us to rethink our relationship with the sea.’
‘A reclining female figure among the corals is an allegory of the fusion between humans and nature, and an invitation to listen to and care for the ocean again.’
The sculptures and installations have been designed to blend harmoniously with the seabed and coastal landscapes, and are made from eco-friendly and recycled materials, including steel, recycled glass and non-polluting debris.
The journey is completed by 12 digital works that can be accessed through the official ART4SEA website – virtual reality experiences, sound, art and immersive videos that enable the viewer to explore the Mediterranean without having to be certified as a diver.
ART4SEA was developed by a consortium of international partners, including DAN Europe, which helped to connect the project with the diving community.
‘Every dive is a testament to the beauty and fragility of the sea,’ says Fabio Figurella, EU Project Coordinator for DAN Europe. ‘With ART4SEA, divers are not just visitors: they become ambassadors for conservation, able to tell what is happening below the surface and inspire real change.
‘ART4SEA’s permanent works will be a key part of the landscapes of Ustica, Gozo and Alonissos for many years to come. Divers will love the experience these islands will offer, which will make them cultural and diving destinations like no other in the world.’
For more from Art4Sea, visit the website at art4sea.eu, or follow the project on Facebook and Instagram
