The first underwater museum opens in Cyprus

After 2-3 years of preparation as well as postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s first underwater art museum has finally opened in Cyprus. The Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa (MUSAN), located off the coast of Pernera beach in Ayia Napa, features 93 sunken sculptures created by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor.

As reported by CNN, Taylor intends to put the spotlight on “rewilding our natural spaces” and “reforesting areas of barren habitat” through the installation, which explores the relationship between man and nature. 

The installation is situated within the emerging environmental paradigm of art, taking visitors to the depths of the ocean. 

The artworks include huge trees weighing up to 13 tons, sculptures of children playing hide and seek, as well as whimsical character sculptures that will give visitors an incredible diving experience. Taylor incorporated references to the ongoing climate crisis, habitat loss and pollution in the artworks.

The 93 sculptures are made from inert pH-neutral materials that promote underwater life, so that the biodiversity in the area may be “enriched” by their presence over time. 

“They've become habitat spaces for marine life so that they almost work on a twofold purpose. You know, first as works of art, which mainly discuss social issues, but also as living, breathing artificial reefs,” Taylor explained. 

Taylor hopes that this new form of artwork exhibition that is built on the natural environment will introduce people to new ideas and thoughts and raise their global environmental awareness.

"I'm kind of hoping that it leaves the visitor with a sense of hope along with a sense that the human impact isn't always negative. That we can reverse some of the things we've done. I also hope that it instills some other messages about holding genes and corporations responsible. It's really about safeguarding the future of the younger generation,” he added.