An underwater ecomuseum has just opened near Sainte-Marguerite Island, off the coast of Cannes in France.
Six mask-like sculptures have been installed on the seabed that are designed to encourage marine life to return to the area.
Each piece is made from PH neutral materials and has a textured surface to create homes, breeding areas and protective spaces for marine life. The submerged exhibition is placed in between swathes of Posidonia seagrass. Commonly known as Neptune grass or Mediterranean tapeweed, it forms large underwater meadows that are an important part of the sea’s ecosystem.
The Underwater Museum of Cannes is created by the famous British international artist Jason deCaires Taylor. His first installation in the Mediterranean Sea took over four years to develop. It features a series of six monumental, three-dimensional portraits, each over two metres in height and ten tons in weight.
Sculptures of the Ecomuseum
Placed at a depth of between three and four metres, these artworks rest on areas of white sand in-between oscillating posidonia sea grass meadows in the protected southern part of the island. The shallow depth and close proximity to shore make the site easily accessible and the crystal-clear waters provide ideal snorkelling conditions.
The six works are based on portraits of local members of the community, covering a range of ages and professions. For example, one sculpture is of Maurice, an 80-year-old local fisherman, and another sculpture is of Anouk, a 9-year-old primary school pupil.
Each face is significantly upscaled and sectioned into two parts. The outer part resembles a mask as the theme of masks connects to Île Sainte-Marguerite’s history. It is well known for being the location where the Man with the Iron Maskwas imprisoned. Another connection is to the performing arts that Cannes is famous for as well as the annual film festival hosted there.
Sculptures of the Ecomuseum
The split mask design concept is a metaphor for the ocean. One side of the mask depicts strength and resilience, the other fragility and decay. From land, we see the surface, calm and serene, or powerful and majestic. This is the view of the mask of the sea. However, below the surface is a fragile, finely-balanced ecosystem, which has been continuously degraded and polluted over the years by human activity.
It’s been open for visitors since February 2021. Once the borders are open, travel buffs can add this to their bucket list.
