Pictures: "Bodies" Fill Underwater Sculpture Park

Visitor From Above
Photograph courtesy Jason deCaires Taylor
A snorkeler swims over life-size statues near Cancún, Mexico, in a late 2010 picture.
More than 400 of the permanent sculptures have been installed in recent months in the National Marine Park of Cancún, Isla Mujeres, and Punta Nizuc (map of the region) as part of a major artwork called "The Silent Evolution." The installation is the first endeavor of a new underwater museum called MUSA, or Museo Subacuático de Arte.

Created by Mexico-based British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, the Caribbean installation is intended to eventually cover more than 4,520 square feet (420 square meters), which would make it "one of the largest and most ambitious underwater attractions in the world," according to a museum statement.
(See "New Artificial Reefs 'Grow' From Mideast Peace Deal.")
In doing so, Taylor hopes the reefs, which are already stressed by marine pollution, warming waters, and overfishing, can catch a break from the approximately 750,000 tourists who visit local reefs each year.
"That puts a lot of pressure on the existing reefs," Taylor told National Geographic News. "So part of this project is to actually discharge those people away from the natural reefs and bring them to an area of artificial reefs."
—With reporting by Fritz Faerber
Published January 5, 2011
"Lucky" Statue
Photograph courtesy Jason deCaires Taylor
The people in "The Silent Evolution" were created from live casts of a wide sample of people, most of them locals—including Lucky, a Mexican carpenter (center), according to Taylor.
The characters range in age from a 3-year-old boy, Santiago, to an 85-year-old nun, Rosario (both not pictured), and include an accountant, yoga instructor, and acrobat, among others.
The tight gathering of people is meant to illustrate "how we are all facing serious questions concerning our environment and our impact on the natural world," according to a museum statement.
(Get ten tips to save the ocean.)
Published January 5, 2011
School of Rock
Photograph by Jorge Silva, Reuters
The sculptures (pictured in December) are made of a special kind of marine cement that attracts the growth of corals, according to creator Taylor. That in turn encourages fish and other marine life to colonize the reef, he said.
"Already, I think there're a thousand different fish living on them. There're lobsters, there're big schools of angelfish. And there's a big coating of algae, which is one of the [first] things to settle."
(See coral reef pictures.)
Published January 5, 2011
Blowing Bubbles
Photograph courtesy Jason deCaires Taylor
Pictured in late 2010, "Sarah," modeled after a U.K. linguistics professor, is the only "Silent Evolution" statue with a false lung, according to Taylor.
Divers can either fill the lung by blowing bubbles into a hole on her back or using air from their tanks. The air then slowly escapes though the opening in her mouth.
The cement figures will change in appearance over time as coral and other marine life takes over—all part of Taylor's vision.
"The manifestation of living organisms cohabiting and ingrained in our being is intended to remind us of our close dependency on nature and the respect we should afford it," according to a museum statement.
(See "Coral Algae Have 'Eyes,' Study Says.")
Published January 5, 2011
Face-to-Face
Photograph courtesy Jason Taylor via Greenpeace
An activist comes face-to-face with an underwater "Silent Evolution" statue in December during a campaign for action on global warming.
TckTckTck, an alliance of 250 groups promoting global warming legislation, organized the dive to "The Silent Evolution" during the United Nations climate talks in Cancún.
(Related: "Climate Change Talks Hinge on 'Green Growth, Says De Boer.")
Published January 5, 2011
Deep in Thought
Photograph by Jorge Silva, Reuters
Already the exhibition (pictured in December) is drawing more divers, and area dive-tour providers are hoping the underwater museum boosts business and supports reef health, according to a museum statement.
"This is a perfect balance where we are protecting the reef, where we are bringing the tourists into the natural area," Roberto Diaz, president of both the Cancún Nautical Association and the museum, told National Geographic News.
"We are providing art to make it beautiful, and altogether [it] will help."
(Watch a video: "Diver 'Vanishes' in Portal to Maya Underworld.")
Published January 5, 2011
Work in Progress
Photograph by Miguel Tovar, AP
Taylor works on a cast of Charlie Brown, a 67-year-old Mexican fisher with Chinese ancestors, at the sculptor's studio in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, in February 2010. Brown "was the only person to fall asleep during the casting process," Taylor said in an email.
The sculptures are made from cement, sand, micro silica, fiber glass, and live coral.
(See photos: "Giant, Bulging-Eyed Roman Emperor Statue Found.")
Published January 5, 2011
Casting Call
Photograph by Miguel Tovar, AP
Portraits of Puerto Morelos, Mexico, residents hang on the wall of Taylor's studio in February 2010.
To make the Caribbean underwater sculptures, Taylor is choosing a wide variety of local residents and creating molds of their bodies.
(Test your Mexico knowledge.)
Published January 5, 2011
Sculptures-in-Waiting
Photograph by Jose Domingeuz, AFP/Getty Images
Before being taken underwater, "Silent Evolution" sculptures stand on a Cancún, Mexico, beach in September 2010.
Upon the installation's completion, the total weight of the statues will total more than 180 tons, according to a museum statement.
(Also see "Giant Statue of Ancient Egypt Queen Found.")
Published January 5, 2011
Into the Drink
Photograph courtesy Jason deCaires Taylor
"Silent Evolution" sculptures are lowered into the waters off Cancún in late 2010.
Along with creator Taylor, a team of artists, builders, marine biologists, engineers, and scuba divers are working together to complete the installation.
(See "Artificial Reefs Made With Sunken Subway Cars, Navy Ships.")
Published January 5, 2011
Bottom Dwellers
Photograph from Barcroft Media/Fame Pictures
"Silent Evolution" sculptures (pictured in October) sit in just 30 feet (9 meters) of water, which allows visitors in glass-bottomed boats to also observe the artwork, according to a museum statement.
Boatbound visitors can also see big schools of fish above the statues, Taylor said.
"If there're any sorts of predators or any danger, [the fish] sort of drop below and then hide out in the [statues'] feet area."
(See "Young Fish Return to 'Home Reefs' to Settle Down.")
Published January 5, 2011
Caribbean Cancún
Photograph courtesy Jason deCaires Taylor
Placing the statues (bottom) off the shores of Cancún (above) was a strategic move, according to a museum statement.
"Well renowned for its endless facilities and lively atmosphere, as a relatively new city, Cancún is not known for its cultural activities or environmental
awareness," the statement read.
The builders of "The Silent Evolution" hope to usher in a new age of responsible tourism in the area, according to the museum.
(Read about Cancún's disappearing beach on National Geographic Traveler's blog.)
Published January 5, 2011
Heavenly Plea
Photograph by Jorge Silva, Reuters
"Kelly," modeled from a U.K. social housing officer (pictured in December 2010), was rendered looking up, with his hands open to symbolize questioning or prayer, according to Taylor.
MUSA, the underwater museum, plans to add sculptures as funding becomes available. But "The Silent Evolution" won't ever really be finished, since marine life will continue adding its own touches for centuries.
Published January 5, 2011