ART4SEA: A Mediterranean Underwater Museum on Three Islands

The Mediterranean has new underwater attractions to discover thanks to ART4SEA, which has transformed the seabeds of three islands that are symbols of diving (Gozo in Malta, Alonissos in Greece and Ustica in Italy) into veritable open-air marine museums with 12 permanent works of art, including striking underwater sculptures.

ART4SEA was created to help people learn about the oceans and be more careful about the environment. The project, which is co-funded by the European Union and recognised as part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (Ocean Decade 2021-2030), launched an international call for applications, selecting 24 artists from around the world.

During their residencies on three Mediterranean islands, the artists explored the seabed, coastline and urban spaces, drawing inspiration from local culture, history and myths. They transformed scientific data and environmental observations into physical and digital artworks. Murals, underwater sculptures, digital installations and immersive films came to life from the project, capable of informing, exciting and engaging visitors and divers, creating a deeper connection with the ocean and inspiring conservation actions.

Three installations transform the seabed into meeting places between art and the sea, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience that combines creativity and nature. Located at shallow depths, they are accessible to both divers and snorkellers.

Trajectories – Giacomo Rizzo (Italy) – placed underwater in Xwejni Bay, Gozo, Malta. A sculpture in the shape of a symbolic vessel, preserving the memory of the Earth while welcoming new life.

Aetas – Micol Cornali (Italy). Placed underwater in Agios Dimitrios Bay, Alonissos, Greece. A work that lies between myth and waste, denouncing ocean pollution and inviting us to rethink our relationship with the sea.

The Queen of the Corals – Davide Galbiati (Italy). Placed underwater in Cala Giacone, Ustica, Italy. A reclining female figure among the corals is an allegory of the fusion between humans and nature, and an invitation to listen to and care for the ocean again.

These works not only enhance the diving experience, but also become significant landmarks for diving and snorkelling itineraries, offering opportunities for exploration, reflection and ecological awareness.

Marine sculptures, murals, mosaics and land-based sculptures are used to transform urban and coastal spaces. These sculptures celebrate biodiversity, Mediterranean myths and the sacred relationship between humans and the sea. Examples include Calypso and Symbiosis in Gozo, Life Synchrony and Blue Diver in Alonissos, and the murals Beneath the Surface and Guardians in Ustica.

The sculptures and installations have been designed to blend harmoniously with the seabed and coastal landscapes, without negatively impacting the ecosystem. They are made from eco-friendly and recycled materials. Steel, recycled glass and non-polluting debris are used as tools for artistic expression, symbolically representing the need for sustainable practices to protect the Mediterranean.

The journey is completed by 12 digital works that can be accessed on the official ART4SEA website: virtual reality experiences, sound art and immersive videos that allow the fragility of the Mediterranean to be explored through emotional and innovative languages by anyone, diver or not.

ART4SEA was developed by a consortium of seven international partners, bringing together cultural, scientific and technological organisations. These include DAN Europe, which helped to connect the project with the diving community, strengthening the role of divers as privileged witnesses to the health and safety of the sea.

“Every dive is a testament to the beauty and fragility of the sea,” says Fabio Figurella, EU Project Coordinator for DAN Europe. ‘With ART4SEA, divers are not just visitors: they become ambassadors for conservation, able to tell what is happening below the surface and inspire real change.’

ART4SEA’s permanent works will be a key part of the landscapes of Ustica, Gozo and Alonissos for many years to come. Divers will love the experience these islands will offer, which will make them cultural and diving destinations like no other in the world.