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Canary Islands, Spain.

MUSEO ATLÁNTICO, A PLACE WORTH PHOTOGRAPHING

MUSEO ATLÁNTICO, A PLACE WORTH PHOTOGRAPHING

On the coasts of Lanzarote, 12 metres deep, there’s a place that holds almost 300 sculptures in the bottom of the sea, solemnly surrounded by sea fauna and flora that is slowly taking over the sculptures. It’s not a shipwreck, it’s Museo Atlántico in Lanzarote, a place to preserve, conserve and raise awareness regarding the sea and nature, created by sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor  aiming to set up a strong visual dialogue between art and nature.

Jason deCaires has made a clear statement regarding the importance of protecting the oceans throughout his artistic career, as well as preserving sea life and respecting the oceans which should be an essential part of human values. This project has become a large artificial reef around the sculptures on the coast. The almost 300 sculptures were made with neutral pH concrete, and therefore, over time, sea biomass will further increase and facilitate the reproduction of the different species living in the sea in Lanzarote.

 

Photo session by Alexandre Socci©

 

This place is surrounded by the mystery of the sea and art, and it has been chosen by photographer Alexandre Socci. He is used to extreme photography and has shot icebergs, an active volcano and wild waterfalls. Alongside model Karina Oliani, and adventure and extreme sports enthusiast. Together they go around the most surprising underwater spots and take stunning pictures in the sea. In 2015, they did a photo shoot surrounded by sharks in the Caribbean, as a cry for help to stop the slaughter of sharks.

 

Photo session by Alexandre Socci©

A place worth photographing that has actually managed to increase the diversity and species abundance index in that part of the ocean ever since it opened. Angel sharks can often be spotted there, as well as shoals of barracudas and sardines, octopus, sea sponges and even butterfly rays at times.

The museum consists of  12 installations that portray contemporaneity and pose some questions about the use of natural resources. Some of them are Los Jolateros, paying tribute to a local tradition in Lanzarote; Inmortal, a local fisherman from La Graciosa; La Balsa de la Lampedusa, a harsh portrayal of the humanitarian crisis in Mauritania; Desconectado, a couple taking a “selfie” showing self-referencing and the new technologies; Cruzando el Rubicón a tribute to the absurd; Jardín Híbrido, combining nature and humanity; El Portal a large mirror over a series of structures in the shape of a cactus with small hollow areas, “living stations”, created to draw octopus, sea urchins and young fish; Desregulado, is a children’s playground where businessmen in suits are playing on a seesaw and a swing, unaware of the world around them; Foto Op opens a debate about the permanent need our current societies have to document and photograph everything.

 

Photo session by Alexandre Socci©

 

 

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