The World’s Largest Underwater Museum is Underway

Cancun’s National Park West Coat of Isla Nujeres is currently the site of the world’s largest underwater museum, which when completed will feature more than 400 concrete sculptures of figurines.

Cancun’s Marine National Park facing the increased pressure of the 750,000 tourist that flock to its coasts each year combined with the devastating effects of climate change, has been the cause of its dying and declining coral reefs. In an effort to lure away some of the tourist from the reef, the Mexican Government commissioned the creation of the underwater museum at a cost of  US Dollars 350,000 featuring sculptures created by  renowned British underwater sculptor Jason de Caires Taylor.

Jason de Caires Taylor is the underwater artist who created the world’s first underwater sculpture park at Grenada in the West Indies, and draws on both Mayan and Contemporary influences to design his masterpieces. Using a PH Neutral concrete to design each of his 400 sculptures, the intent is to encourage algae and coral to freely grow on the concrete which will cause these sculptures to change appearance over time and form an artificial ecosystem where tiny fish and marine creatures can thrive.

Each sculpture has been carefully lowered at varying depths around the National Park, the first installation taking place in November 2009 when the museum opened with just three sculptures. By April 2010 it is expected to have over 250 sculptures ready and installed with the target of 400 to be standing by by 2011. Authorities say that after the target is reached, the museum will be opened up to other artist that will be allowed to contribute to the collection.

The Marine Park Museum is a stunning place to dive and a unique experience to move around from sculpture to sculpture. Both Scuba divers and snorkelers can visit the museum, and experience the eerie human almost lifelike forms submerged in the blue.  With age these sculptures will constantly change in appearance drawing people back to them just to see how they’ve progressed with time.

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