In 2009 the first steps of a monumental underwater sculptural museum were formed in the waters surrounding Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc. The project founded by Jaime Gonzalez Cano of The National Marine Park, Roberto Diaz of The Cancun Nautical Association and Jason deCaires Taylor, will eventually consist of over 400 permanent life-size sculptures, becoming one of the largest and most ambitious underwater artificial attractions in the world.

The Museum aiming to demonstrate the interaction between art and environmental science hopes to form a complex reef structure for marine life to colonise and inhabit. Each of the sculptures will be made from specialized materials used to promote coral life, with the total installation occupying an area of over 150sq metres and weighing over 120 tons. The Cancun Marine Park is one of the most visited stretches of water in the world with over 750,000 visitors each year, placing immense pressure on its resources. The location of the sculptures will promote the recovery of the natural reefs, relieving pressure on them by drawing visitors away.

The construction of the underwater museum has been divided into 3 phases; and was inaugurated in November 2009 by the placement of 3 sculptures; La Jardinera de la Esperanza, Coleccionista de los Sueños and Hombre en Llamas.

The second phase currently in progress is also an installation by Jason deCaires Taylor entitled; The Silent Evolution. His most ambitious work to date, is a collection of over 400 life-size figurative works forming a timeline of the changes both visually and socially in humans over the past centuries. For more information see The Silent Evolution (pdf).

The third stage of the museum commencing towards the end of 2010 will involve commissioning local and international artists to contribute further sculptural installations and host special underwater cultural events celebrating the Arts and Science.

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