MASK AND SNORKEL

After four years of work, a new underwater museum has opened in France, marking British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor’s first installation in the Mediterranean Sea. It features six portraits, each over 2m tall, on the sea bed near the island of Sainte-Marguerite, just off the coast of a famed town on the French Riviera — perhaps best known for its annual film festival.

Placed at a depth of between 2m and 3m, the works rest on sand among oscillating sea-grass meadows. The shallow depth and close proximity to shore make them easily accessible to divers and snorkellers.

The six works are based on portraits of members of the local community.

Each face is sectioned into two parts, the outer part resembling a mask. The theme of masks, clearly relevant in these strange times, also connects to the history of Île SainteMarguerite, known as the location where the Man with the Iron Mask was imprisoned.

DeCaires Taylor is famed for his underwater sculpture parks, and created the world’s first off the coast of Grenada in the Caribbean in 2006. He also created the world’s largest underwater sculpture museum in Cancún, Mexico.

With all his projects, he aims to draw attention to the sea as a fragile biosphere in urgent need of protection. The art works are designed using Ph-neutral materials to attract fauna and flora so that they will develop into artificial coral reefs — and living art works — over time.

● To stand a chance of winning R500, tell us the name resort town off the coast of which you will find this underwater museum. E-mail your answer to travelquiz@sundaytimes.co.za before noon on Tuesday March 23. Last week’s winner is Gladys Bell. The answer was Phuket.