The World’s First Underwater Sculpture Park in Grenada Installs 28 New Statues by Renowned Artist Jason de Caires Taylor
The unveiling of ‘Vicissitudes,’ a 28 piece sculpture by renowned artist Jason de Caires Taylor, took place on Friday evening at the LIME Mount Hartman Complex. The event was attended by the Hon. Minister Dr. George Vincent, the Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries Mr. Aaron Francois, Jason de Caires Taylor, sponsors of the individual statues and numerous other guests.
‘Vicissitudes,’ the definition of which is: ‘a natural change or mutation visible in nature or in human affairs,’ is one of the largest projects launched to date in the continued development of the World’s First Underwater Sculpture Park by the non-profit organization GUSMI (Grenada Underwater Sculpture Management Inc).
There are 28 children in the piece each of which has been sponsored at a cost of ec$3000 by local businesses and individuals. The children are mounted in pairs, a boy and a girl on shared concrete, creating a sturdy foundation to ensure stability when installed underwater.
The original ‘Vicissitudes’ (or Circle of Children, as it was known here in Grenada), was badly damaged by storm surge and since it had become a key image used by the media worldwide it was imperative that the statues be replaced with a new sculpture to meet visitor expectations. The original was extremely popular with visitors and this new evolution is expected is be even more so, since it will be shallower and more visible.
Over time, the statues will become part of the underwater marine environment and coral, soft sponges and filter-feeding marine life will soon start to cover the sculpture. The statues are in water from 3 to 8 meters deep and are accessible to both divers and snorkelers who visit the area.
Whilst the sculptures are unusual in their own right, they also provide new areas for coral to grow and over time will be transformed by nature into a living reef. Creating artificial reefs is not new but using of pieces of artwork is a unique and exciting way to give nature a helping hand. It has opened up a new world of possibility for the snorkeling or diving adventurer.
The original children will not be discarded but will be separated from their circle and will be relocated within the park as they continue to encourage new growth and life, which is their intended purpose. By the time the installation of ‘Vicissitudes’ is complete there will be 105 separate statues within the park and there are plans already underway and sponsors being sought for new pieces.
