La Evolución Silenciosa

The Silent Evolution is a exhibition by Jason de Caires Taylor. Consisting of 403 life-size fugures and occupying an area of approximately 420 square meters, The Silent Evolution (La Evolución Silensiosa) besides its aesthetical component has in its purpose to permit the formation of an artificial reef in Cancun, Mexico.

This installation is part of the underwater museum called MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte) a project founded by Jaime Gonzalez Cano of The National Marine Park, Roberto Diaz of The Cancun Nautical Association and Jason deCaires Taylor, located in the waters surrounding Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc.

 The underwater sculptures create a unique, absorbing and expansive visual seascape. Highlighting natural ecological processes Taylor’s interventions explore the intricate relationships that exist between art and environment. 

His works become artificial reefs, attracting marine life, while offering the viewer privileged temporal encounters, as the shifting sand of the ocean floor, and the works change from moment to moment.

The experience of being underwater is vastly different from that of being on land. There are physical and optical considerations that must be taken into account. 

Objects appear twenty five percent larger underwater, and as a consequence they also appear closer. Colours alter as light is absorbed and reflected at different rates, with the depth of the water affecting this further. 

The light source in water is from the surface, this produces kaleidoscopic effects governed by water movement, currents and turbulence. Water is a malleable medium in which to travel enabling the viewer to become active in their engagement with the work. 

The large number of angles and perspectives from which the sculptures can be viewed increase dramatically the unique experience of encountering the works. 

Night time ads another surprising and unreal element to the sculptures, here are some photos of Taylor's artworks in Grenada, West Indies being taken over by the reef night-life:

Information and Images taken from Jason De Caires Taylor