Friday, March 29, 2024
Diving TravelThe Coralarium Will Return

The Coralarium Will Return

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In case you missed the news, after over nine months of planning and work, the underwater naturalist and British artist Jason deCaires Taylor opened a new exhibit at the Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi Resort located on the remote Shaviyani Atoll.

The new exhibit was opened on 15 July. Called Coralarium it differed from his other underwater museums being called the world’s first semi-submerged art gallery. Jason deCaires Taylor described it saying “the sculptures interact with nature on three different levels. There are sculptures on top of the cube that are set against the sky; sculptures in the tidal area that exist both above and below the water; and sculptures that are completely submerged, which will eventually be covered in coral.”

The Sculpture Coralarium by Jason deCaires Taylor

Those sculptures, however, ended up being a problem.

President Abdulla Yameen had ordered the sculptures removed shortly after the museum opened. He said there was “significant public sentiment against” them, and some Muslim leaders warned against “the sin of worshipping idols”. It was seen by many that the move by the now former president was more political than religious, a means to gain favor with those against western influence in the then-upcoming election.

Police said the civil court had issued a ruling, 21 September, ordering the resort to take down the sculptures, saying the installation “undermines Islamic faith, peace, and order” in the country. The judgment ordered the police and the army to remove the human models if the resort failed to do so within five hours.

The police reacted quickly on the court order and within a few hours, the “idols” had been destroyed. Videos of the destruction showed police cheering as each sculpture was torn down. The short notice to remove the items and the methods the police used has been criticized internationally. Social media, of course, reacted strongly on both sides.

Maldive Police Photos

The Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi Resort has held that they had all the proper permits and the concept with full disclosure of the statues had been properly made.

Personally, I do not agree with the court ruling nor the short time frame to remove the artwork. I believe the court should have allowed time for the statues to be properly removed and then transported out of the country. That said, I also believe that the court has the right to act in accordance with their own laws without outside interference.

Jason deCarires Taylor Reaction:

“I was extremely shocked and heartbroken to learn that my sculptures have been destroyed by the Maldivian Authorities at the Coralarium, despite continued consultations and dialogue. The Coralarium was conceived to connect humans to the environment and a nurturing space for marine life to thrive. Nothing else! The Maldives is still beautiful, with a warm and friendly population but it was a sad day for art and a sad day for the environment.”

Statement of Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi Resort:

“While we are very surprised by the sudden removal of eco-art pieces by the authorities we respect the people, traditions, and customs of the Maldives. The removal process of the installed artwork was peaceful and friendly without interruption to our world famous service.

The Coralarium gallery structure and the tree-lined underwater coral boulevard remains intact, ensuring the coral restoration program remains alive and well. We have initiated immediate plans for the next exhibit, creating a new attraction within the Coralarium gallery.”

The Future

Neither the resort nor the artist has made any additional comments since the initial press releases. We can only hope that new sculptures that meet local approval will be added shortly. While the connection between man and nature may be reduced without the human sculptures, the museum will still provide an important environmental lesson.

Whether the sculptures are in a man’s image or something else, they will provide a focal point. One that snorkelers and divers will enjoy underwater and others can view from the surface. Anytime we can bring the wonders of the underwater world to others, we can increase their awareness of what we need to protect.

The press releases and media coverage has shown that the basic structures are intact. One of the primary missions can still be accomplished. The items underwater and in the tidal areas will be just as welcoming to the marine life regardless of the shape. The coral transplants were not disturbed, so their benefits should still occur. Corals will grow and a new reef will also start to grow. The design of the structure will create a new habitat. One that will attract more marine life, which will, in turn, create more life.

The news reports concerning the destruction of the Coralarium paint a picture that all was lost. The destruction of the human formed statues is a lost, but it does not mean that the Coralarium itself is a lost. While the gallery is awaiting a new exhibit, the marine life is still coming and browsing. Many will find the structure to their liking and the marine life population will explode.

While the Coralarium was a major project, there are other projects also underway.

Charles Davis
Charles Davishttp://www.charleswdavisjr.com/scuba-writer.html
Charles Davis is an active diver for over 19 years who enjoys writing about his favorite activities, Scuba Diving and Travel. Also known as the Scuba Diving Nomad

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