UNDERWATER SCULPTURE IN THE BVI A proposal to create a series of underwater sculpture parks throughout the BVI Aragorn Dick-­‐Read -­‐ June 2011 The Concept….. To create a series of underwater sculpture installaKons at various locaKons around the BVI, to be viewed by both scuba divers and snorkelers The Background… •  Proposal from BVI arKst Aragorn Dick-­‐Read to Jason de Caires Taylor – world renowned underwater sculptor •  Mr Taylor’s response has been extremely posiKve and he is keen to help the BVI develop this unusual type of marine tourist aUracKon PracKcal Benefits •  Enhances appeal of BVI as a dive/snorkeling desKnaKon –  Adds new locaKons –  Improves aUracKon of exisKng sites •  Places BVI at forefront of an new arKsKc fronKer Environmental benefits •  Works of art act as man made reefs •  AUracts new coral growth and fish habitats •  Will offer relief for current over visited sites The coral growth is impressive. 2009 2010 Economic benefits •  Enhanced BVI tourism product •  Increased revenue to BVI dive sector and associated businesses •  Work to local contractors, suppliers and boat/barge operators •  Free publicity through world wide media aUenKon Eg. Jason de Caires Taylor Mexican project •  AUracts an esKmated 750,000 visitors per year •  $5m in free press exposure including: –  full page in USA Today, TIME magazine, BBC news, Discovery Channel and NaKonal Geographic –  Covered in an esKmated 800 other magazine publicaKons and 10,000 internet sites Massive worldwide media potenKal Socio-­‐Cultural benefits •  Creates pride in addiKonal tourist aUracKon that reflects BVI’s cultural heritage •  Places BVI at forefront of contemporary arKsKc movement •  Offers visitors and locals an eco/aestheKc experience, with a heritage/educaKonal tone •  Will encourage more BVI islanders into the marine industries EmoKve subject maUers… Possible scenes to represent BVI cultural heritage subjects… …as if they are sKll alive in a watery heaven Under water Moko Jumbies A swim through ‘People Ball’ Copper whales by Aragorn photographed off Necker Island Examples of other underwater sculpture success stories Christ of the Abyss in Portofino , Italy and Key Largo, Florida. Both of which have been dive aUracKons since the 1960’s Where to put them…….? Costs and Sponsorship opportuniKes… Ring of People in Grenada cost $30,000 The VW Beetle in Mexico cost $22,000 Sculpture parks are a sound environmental form of product development that should be able to aUract corporate and private sponsorship that is looking for a long lasKng “legacy” name associaKon with social, business, arKsKc and environmental benefits