Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The Children of Atlantis














I tend to be late for the party, only buying my first computer a little over two years ago, so perhaps you've seen the videos of these underwater sculptures by Jason de Caires Taylor. A few weeks ago I watched one showing his latest installation, near Cancun, Mexico. He creates them out of cement and glass and has installed them in various locations around the world. They are works of art, but they also serve as a place for marine life to proliferate, particularly for the growth of new coral, which has been severely damaged by tropical storms, as well as human activities. I think the one near Grenada is my favorite. I can imagine moving among them might be very much like moving through a dream, observing the strange and wondrous. Like the possibility of Atlantis, one of the mysteries of life, I find them hauntingly beautiful.


I would suggest clicking on the You Tube logo in the lower right corner and watching it there, as it seems to flow better, pun intended.


Addendum: Here are additional photos from various installations, some of which are just exquisite in their detail: http://www.24flinching.com/word/gold-seal/inspiring-artists/drowning-beautiful/?red+nf
A big Thank You to Linda Myers for pointing this out in her comments!


14 comments:

  1. You are so good at introducing beauty on your posts...that's why I love it!

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  2. You say you came late to the party...... I was so late, all the food was gone and the dishes washed and put away! I've never heard of him either but I was so curious as to why anyone would put their talent in the bottom of the sea, I looked him up. He's so young to have created so much buried art but he also started at a very young age. At first I wondered how does he make any money? Who pays him, Neptune? But he gets commissions from all the publicity and for an art form that unique, there's plenty of media coverage. I think you'd have to be a diver or at least in great appreciation of being under water. I'm definitely not, and it kinda creeped me out, watching the fish swim in and around those figures. Your interesting posts usually lead me on a further investigation of my own, like a detective who dares one to be their own arm-chair Sherlock Holmes. And I did .... and I again learned something new. Thank you Teresa.

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  3. Lynn! Thanks so much!

    Manzi, It's an intriguing approach to art and I like the benefit to marine life. I think what can appear creepy is still awfully interesting to look at, like not being afraid to look under the bed, in case the boogy man really does reside there. :) I'm glad you did some detective work. Thanks for reading and sharing your discoveries.

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  4. Thanks for joining in Ye Olde Crones Gazette. I am always humbled by someone coming and wanting to follow. I've read some of your posts and am very intrigued as well. Great aesthetic and vibe. The Olde Bagg

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  5. It takes an artist to dream up a new medium. Not only are these sculptures aesthetically effective, I like the idea that there is a symbiotic aspect to its environment.

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  6. Linda, I like what you have to say and am so glad I came across your blog via a circuitous and interesting route. thanks for paying a visit here.

    Paul, It's the symbiosis that really made this so much more than a new approach to art. Just when you think there's nothing new under the sun, you find something new under the sea...

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  7. I loved the underwater sculpture! Thanks for posting it.

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  8. Hi Teresa. They are oddly beautiful. Too bad you need a submarine to enjoy them!

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  9. He has created a touching, beautiful and yet uncanny work of art that Jason-guy. I almost await to see them open their eyes, but they stand like frozen in time - like the victims in Pompei.
    Once were pointed out places for the eventual Atlantis, I don't remember where, but I have always imagined them being like Inkas in their magnificent dresses with gold jewelry etc. But Jason's African figures changes my imagination. They look amazing in the blue water.
    Thanks for showing us this, Teresa.
    The week-end almost starts now, happy days to you!
    Grethe ´)

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  10. Linda, You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed them.

    #1 Nana, I doubt I'll ever see them in person, but I like knowing they're there. Oddly beautiful, yes.

    Grethe, Pompeii came to my mind as well. Thanks for your comments. Insightful, as always. And happy days to you!

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  11. Teresa, I was directed to another site for this artist:http://24flinching.com/word/gold-seal/inspiring-artists/drowning-beautiful/?ref=nf

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  12. Linda, Thanks so much for pointing this out! I had looked at other sites, but not this one and the images are wonderful! I added the link as an addendum to the post.

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  13. Hauntingly beautiful is exactly what they are. Wow! I have never heard of this so thank you for posting!

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  14. Hi Cheryl! You are so welcome. It was a real find!

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