MUSA, Cancun Underwater Museum

Under the surrounding waters Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc are home to one of the most striking, original and fun museums in the world, MUSA the Underwater Museum of Art is a project founded in 2009 by Jaime González Cano, former president of Nautical Associates of Cancun and Jason de Caires Taylor, English sculptor born in 1974 and graduated from the London Institute of Arts with honors in sculpture in 1998.

Jason deCaires Taylor at MUSA

The artist

Taylor is known mainly because much of his artistic work is lived under the sea, from a very young age, Taylor enjoyed exploring the coral reefs in Malaysia and that is why his vocation is oriented towards ecotourism. and aesthetic exploration within the sea, the sculptural works are ecologically conceptualized in all areas: the materials they are made of, the way they are placed on the seabed and the way visitors must walk through the museum are essential parts of the experience in order to experience this exotic museum.

Raw Materials.

Finding materials The perfectfit for the realization of these sculptures was not an easy task,  According to research, only 10 to 15% of the seafloor has sufficient substrate for the the reef to regenerate naturally and also to maintain the marine ecosystem in optimal conditions; that is why together with a specialized group of marine biologists,  examined environmentally friendly materials that actively promoted the coral growth, with the inactive properties of neutral pH capable of lasting for hundreds of years. In such a way that the sculpture as such promotes coral regeneration through this artificial colony, in addition, despite the use of ecological materials, the works, life-size, could become invasive with seabed populations, so the structure of the same is designed to accommodate the marine fauna, with different holes that attract different types of fish: in the flat holes of the base crustaceans (crabs, lobsters, shrimp) inhabit and the small ones are the refuge of colorful minuscule fish.

Ever-changing.

An important aspect with respect to MUSA is the constant metamorphosis of the sculptures, or rather, the constant appropriation that nature itself is making of them, making it a kind of creation between the artist and nature that achieves aesthetically surprising results and, in addition to that, it is also a way of creating a new world. balanced in biological dynamics. After many years, the artificial but environmentally friendly structures will become fantastic coral reefs that shelter the life that tourism and fishing are deteriorating.

Swimming or Diving.

The presentation of the works is divided into two galleries called Salón Manchones and Salón Nizuc. The first is eight meters deep and is suitable for both divers and swimmers, the second is four meters deep and is only suitable for snorkeling, so anyone can enjoy this wonderful natural attraction that promotes not only fun in the beautiful Caribbean waters, but also art and sustainable interaction between man and the surrounding nature.

MUSA’s collection also includes works by Karen Salinas, Roberto Díaz Abraham, Rodrigo Quiñones and Salvador Quiroz. Different service providers promote activities to visit this museum, so the options are varied to enjoy this wonderful spectacle formed between man and nature.