Museo Atlantico

History and context

The Museo Atlántico is the first underwater museum in Europe and the Atlantic Ocean. It is the work of British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, promoted by the Art, Culture and Tourism Centres (CACT) of the Cabildo of Lanzarote. It lies at about 12 metres in Las Coloradas bay, off Playa Blanca (Yaiza), some 300 metres from Marina Rubicón. Installation of the sculptures began in 2016, with the first visits that same year, and the complete ensemble officially opened on 10 January 2017. The museum gathers some 300 pH-neutral concrete sculptures across a dozen installations on about 2,500 m² of sandy seabed. Highlights include 'Crossing the Rubicon', a 30-metre, 100-tonne wall pierced by a doorway; 'The Raft of Lampedusa', a tribute to migrants crossing the sea; 'Deregulated', and a hybrid garden of human-plant figures. Many of the figures were modelled on residents of the island. The artist's concept is twofold: to raise awareness of ocean degradation and climate change, and to act as an artificial reef encouraging colonisation by marine life. Since it opened, sponges and octopuses have settled on the sculptures, schools of sardines, barracudas and angelsharks visit them, and the museum can be toured on scuba or snorkel.

Official opening

10 January 2017 (installation began in 2016)

Artist

Jason deCaires Taylor, promoted by the CACT of the Cabildo de Lanzarote

Sculptures

Some 300 works across a dozen installations

Depth

About 12-14 m, in Las Coloradas bay (Playa Blanca)

Area

Some 2,500 m² of sandy seabed

Highlight work

'Crossing the Rubicon': a 30 m, 100-tonne wall