I just got this in my Boniare EZ News...how cool will this be!

Event Spotlight: Bonaire to Host First Ever Underwater Art Exhibit

Beginning December 3, 2004 divers can experience art in a unique setting, as the waters around Bonaire host the first ever exhibition of art work underwater. Called “40 Feet Underwater: Moving Light in an Unlimited Territory,” the show will feature the work of Dutch artist Fred Ros.

Set in Bonaire’s pristine waters, where the natural environment is something to see in itself, enormous works of art will be sunk to a depth of 40 feet, creating an underwater museum in the Caribbean Sea. Distance, depth, colors and shapes will constantly change as the natural light from the sun beams through the water, giving visitors multiple perceptions of each work of art. Taking notice of the artwork coexisting with the natural underwater treasures – the fish, corals and sponges - the exhibition will not only challenge people’s perceptions of art but also call attention to the importance of preserving and protecting marine environment. The exhibit will showcase thirty-one photographic pieces created by Ros above the Wetlands, in Antarctica, and in the saltpans in Bonaire.

As divers approach the underwater museum, they will be greeted by a cashier in scuba gear, ready to punch admission tickets. Guests will then swim their way through the “museum rooms” with a waterproof catalogue in hand. “40 Feet Underwater: Moving Light in an Unlimited Territory” will surely be an experience visitors will not soon forget.

The exhibit will run December 3, 2004 through January 27, 2005 at the dive site Front Porch, which is located off of Bongos Beach at Eden Beach Resort. Visiting hours will be daily from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. The entrance fee is $5.

What's to keep people from viewing the show for free outside of the visiting hours? Isn't that a publicly accessible dive site?

Belinda, good point...I have no idea. Unless they have it "chorded off" around the art...hmm....interesting!

I just thought it would be cool to view an art show underwater!

Cynde,

If I were a diver it is definitely something I would check out (if I could get myself to Bonaire during that time frame which I can't WAAAAHHHH). And being a firm believer in adhering to the honor system I would even pay my $5.00. It just seemed to me that they are counting on #1) everyone knowing about it in order to purchase tickets and #2) everyone being honest enough to purchase tickets.

Which creates a rather amusing image in my mind - if a diver happens to wander into the exhibit during exhibition hours without a ticket because they know nothing about it will they be chased out of the exhibit by the cashier?

Will we have bands of exhibit crashers - one can act to distract the cashier and while they are being chased away from the exhibit the others sneak in for a quick viewing?

This may be the new crime wave on Bonaire!

Belinda

Belinda, you just gave me a giggle visualizing exhibit banditos trying to "crash" the exhibit...LOL! Maybe they will take it down every day and set it up again the next? Maybe they will hire a couple of barracuda to be "art guards"?

Belinda, I just noticed that there will also be a viewing from 7-9PM...wonder if they will have lights on the art work?

Cynde,

Now it's my turn to giggle - barracuda guards - what an image!

Wow - a night show with lights would be too cool - I will be anxious to hear from someone that actually sees it if they had lights set up or if divers just used their own dive lights.

Thanks for the giggle Cynde :-)

Belinda

OK - this is just about the coolest thing I have ever heard of and by gosh I'm going. Luckily I will be there during that time frame. I had to re-read the clip though cause I was thinking that you handed in your $5 underwater - now that would be interesting too.

So now on the list of to-do's... webcams, Larry's Wild Side and the Underwater Art Show. Too cool!

I'll keep an eye out for the barracuda guards too.

Mara

It does sound cool. And Mara you would do anything underwater, except...? I'll never tell!

AHHH Ric - now don't go around spreading any rumors. I think that those videos have been destroyed!

Not with me she hasn't.


Pete

Here's a link to Fred Ros' site about the art exhibit:

http://www.fredros.nl/pages/news/default.asp?id=10
(Text is in Dutch)

Darn - now if I could only fit all of this into freetranslation.com all would be good.

LOL!

Or you could just peruse the English site:

http://www.40voetonderwater.com/index.php?a=opening&lang=_eng

ok ok - so I had a peroxide moment. I would say a blonde moment but it's not natural so it had to be the peroxide. I love the map too - so now we know how to get through it properly. VERY COOL!

Many thanks.

To get a taste of the exhibit, here are a few pictures of the 40FeetUnderwater Art Exhibit I took with the permission of the artist...