Scuba diving

MUSA - State of the Art Underwater Museum

Marine Parks are under constant threats from a range of sources. Over time human activities have caused many changes to our waters. As a result, our marine environment is not as healthy and productive as it once was. Like on land, many marine habitats have been altered from their natural state and there are fewer fish, seabirds or mammals to name a few. The Cancun-Isla Mujeres Marine Park is one of the most visited stretches of water in the world with over 750,000 visitors each year, placing immense pressure on its resources. An interesting idea to protect the park was building an underwater collection of sculptures next to it to promote the recovery of the natural reefs as it relieves pressure on them by drawing visitors away to this alternative site. Adrex.com presents you MUSA, a monumental underwater museum.

28. 11. 2014 Photos: 13

In 2009 a monumental underwater contemporary museum of art called MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte) was formed in the Mexican waters surrounding Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc. The non-profit project founded by Jaime González Cano, Director of the National Marine Park, Roberto Díaz Abraham, then President of the Cancun Nautical Association and English sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor now consists of over 500 permanent life-size sculptures and is one of the largest and most ambitious underwater artificial art attractions in the world.

sculpture: Bacab
artist: Salvador Quiroz
photo: The-Stills LifeStyle Agency

sculpture: Inertia
artist: Jason deCaires Taylor
photo: The-Stills LifeStyle Agency

The Museum aims to demonstrate the interaction between art and environmental science and form part of a complex reef structure for marine life to colonize and inhabit whilst increasing biomass on a grand scale. All of the sculptures are fixed to the seabed and made from specialized materials used to promote coral life. The total installations occupy an area of over 420sq meters of barren substrate and weighing in at over 200 tons.

sculpture: Vein Man
artist: Jason deCaires Taylor
photo: The-Stills LifeStyle Agency

sculpture: Resurrection
artist: Jason deCaires Taylor
photo: The-Stills LifeStyle Agency

The layout is divided into two galleries called Salon Manchones and Salon Nizuc. The first is eight meters deep and suitable for both divers and snorkelers and the second four meters deep and only permitted for snorkeling. Touching the sculptures is prohibited and entry is available only via local guide. Check MUSA's website for more.

sculpture: The Anchors
artist: Jason deCaires Taylor
photo: The-Stills LifeStyle Agency

sculpture: The Silent Evolution
artist: Jason deCaires Taylor
photo: The-Stills LifeStyle Agency

The museum has even a "dry" exhibition room. Located on the second floor of Kukulcan Plaza in the heart of the Cancun Hotel Zone, the Visitor Centre has free entrance and contains numerous sculptures, images and film of the Museum.

If you care about our ocean and like the idea behind MUSA, you can contribute by a donation to the museum. More information available at donations@musacancun.org. Don't forget to check below video of the MUSA Underwater Museum and surrounding areas in Cancun.

sculpture: Anthropocene
artist: Salvador Quiroz
photo: The-Stills LifeStyle Agency