Home / Environment / Cannes' Underwater Art Becomes Living Reef
Cannes' Underwater Art Becomes Living Reef
4 Sep
Summary
- Six enormous faces now host thriving marine ecosystems.
- Sculptures made from pH-neutral material mimic natural reefs.
- A project to replant 3,000 square meters of seagrass is underway.
Six imposing sculptures, each two metres tall, were submerged off the coast of Cannes, France, in January 2021 near Île Sainte-Marguerite. British artist Jason deCaires Taylor crafted these underwater faces, using molds from local residents, to serve a dual purpose: a unique cultural attraction and a catalyst for marine conservation.
The sculptures, weighing approximately 10 tonnes each, were intentionally designed with rough surfaces and cavities. This ecological approach aimed to provide habitats for marine organisms and encourage the development of artificial reefs. By 2024, the City of Cannes reported that algae, shells, and other marine life had fully colonized the structures, integrating the art into the local ecosystem.
Beyond the sculptures, a significant conservation effort is underway. The PRIME program, launched in 2024, aims to replant 3,000 square meters of Posidonia oceanica seagrass over three years. This initiative supports the rehabilitation of the coastal environment, enhancing the area's biodiversity and carbon storage capabilities.
