Ayia Napa, Cyprus. The sculptures at the MUSAN Underwater Museum have begun showing early signs of transformation as marine organisms start to settle on their surfaces. Recent photos show patches of growth developing on parts of the figures.
Early transformation observed on sculptures
Algae and other organisms have started to blanket parts of the installation, a process anticipated when the sculptures were first submerged. British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, who created MUSAN, designed the site to function as both an art installation and a structure that would interact with the local marine environment over time.
Taylor said the transformation is central to the meaning of the work. He described the shift from static structures to living ones as marine growth takes hold.
How marine colonisation develops underwater
Taylor said submerged structures typically show early changes through slight colour shifts as algae and calcareous organisms settle. He added that crustaceans can occupy crevices and sheltered edges, and that juvenile fish are often among the first permanent residents, using the structures as refuge from predation.
Findings from the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research
At MUSAN, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research reported that various types of marine algae are growing on parts of the installation. Oysters have also settled in large numbers, particularly on the tops of some sculptures, indicating marine life is beginning to establish itself around the site.
Fish species observed around the installation include saddled seabream, parrotfish, squid and white seabream.
Slower changes and environmental conditions
Taylor said the changes at MUSAN appear more subtle and slower than at some of his other underwater installations. He also noted a relative absence of species, particularly fish, and linked it to the Mediterranean’s heavily pressured waters and decades of overfishing.
Taylor said environmental conditions influence how the sculptures change, noting that waters near Ayia Napa are much clearer than at many other locations where he has installed underwater works. He said the clarity allows divers and snorkelers to observe the installation from a distance with sculptures clearly visible against the sandy seabed, while more turbid water can alter the ecological and visual experience.
What changes have you noticed in the marine life around MUSAN’s underwater sculptures?