Off the coast of the Bahamas, a giant awaits…
At 5.5 metres tall (18 feet), she is the size of a two story building and weighs a hefty 60 tonnes. Inspired by the Greek myth of Titan Atlas, who held the heavens on his shoulders, this Bahamian girl, entitled Ocean Atlas, is depicted to be holding the weight of the ocean on her shoulders.
This sculpture, produced by English artist Jason deCaires Taylor, is not only an impressive piece of art. Instead, Jason, like in similar projects,, created this piece with conservation methods in mind.
The sculpture is made from marine grade cement, which is pH neutral and very strong; it also doesn’t require reinforcing metal, which could corrode underwater. In addition, it has a texturised surface, perfect for mimicking reef environments; which was an important factor in this build. In fact, the sculpture was placed downstream from natural coral reefs, so that embryonic coral drifting through the water will reach the structure, creating an artificial reef system and encouraging colonisation, as well as the added benefit of drawing tourists away from diving hotspots in over-stressed areas.
From a social perspective, the sculpture intends to demonstrate that people, particularly the next generation, can support our oceans and stop them from collapsing. A noble message.
-Jean
To see a short video of the construction and immersion of Ocean Atlas, see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k81odhXg2Lw
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