MUSA the Underwater Museum of Art, Cancun

MUSA, the "Underwater Museum of Art", was built in the waters surrounding Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc, in 2009. Located within the protected waters of the National Marine Park of the Yucutan Peninsula in Mexico

It is one of the largest underwater attractions in the world, and the work of the artist Jason deCaires Taylor. It offers a view of how the Mayan people have evolved thru the years in the "Silent Evolution" - a monumental installation of over 400 life-size statues - strategically placed at different depths on the sea bed, it creates a habitat for the marine life, and helps preserve this unique part of the Caribbean Sea.

Each human size statue tells a different story, they are made from material that is used to promote coral life, they draw a large part of the over 700,000 yearly visitors away from the Marine Park, thus relieving the pressure on the natural reefs and helping preserve the area. The statues stretch over an area of about 420 metres of the barren seabed and weight over 180 tons.

They can be seen by going on a diving or snorkeling trip to the area, or for those who do not wish to go into the water, it is possible to see them from a Glass Bottom boat. These trips are offered by the local marinas in Cancun.

La Jardinera de la Esperanza - "The Garden of Hope" - is of a young girl lying on the garden patio steps cultivating a variety of rescued live coral plant pods. These are pods which have been damaged - either by weather or humans and the young girl is a symbol of a new revitalized kinship with the environment. Over the years about 40% of the natural coral reefs have been lost, the "Garden of Hope" focuses attention on the ecoilogical issue. Under the base of the sculpture, are spaces, designed to encourage marine creatures, such as moray eels, juvenile fish, and lobsters.

Coleccionista de los Suenos -The archive of lost dreams.
A collection of hundreds of messages in bottles, that have been brought together by the forces of the ocean. The messages are being categorized by their message - fear, hope, loss or belonging. Many groups from different ethnic, religious and cultural background, have been asked to provide the messages, which will show - current values and hopes - for future generations to discover.

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Hombre de LLamas - "Man on Fire" - the upright sculpture is in the Caribbean waters, off the island of Isla Mujeres. Made of cement, it has 75 holes planted with cuttings of fire coral, which emit a stinging sensation when touched. The holes have been drilled, on different parts of the body, and it is hoped the coral will grow "in pointed fingers" resembling flames. The statue, which weights over a ton, was cast from a local fisherman, and is intented to show the current environmental situation in which we live - unaware of the impact our actions are having on our planet, the fire is lit, but we have the ability to control it, if we act now.

The sculptures are designed to become artificial reefs and create areas for, coral to flourish, marine life to breed and take refuge, and help boost the local ecology system. Their appearances will change over time, as the coral grows and the marine life colonizes the statues, this gives everyone a great opportunity to see them now and again in the future. Take pictures and compare, what has evolved with the the passing of time.