Greek philosopher Plato wrote of the legendary city of Atlantis, that sunk to the bottom of the ocean. Now photographer Andreas Franke has created a similar mythical underwater world for a new exhibition - but you can only see it with your scuba gear on. Divers can Only Access the Exhibition by Boat from Key West, Florida. Armed with his camera, Mr Franke dove down to the Vandenberg, a United States missile tracking ship that sunk in 2009 off the coast of Key West, Florida, and used the spectacular images he took as a canvas for a surreal civilization that never existed.
The collection of photographs capture people going about their daily lives, whether ballerinas en barre, young lovers at the cinema, a patient being wheeled along by a nurse, or young children playing. The fascinating scenes are on display in an exhibition called 'The Vandenberg: Life Below the Surface' but you won't find them in an orthodox gallery. Naturally, the images are gracing the walls aboard the sunken vessel, seven miles off the coast of Florida. Divers can access them by boat from Key West. Under the sea, the art is encased between sheets of Plexiglas with a stainless steel frame and a silicone seal keeps the water out. Strong magnets ensure the images stay attached to the walls and do not damage the piece of American Naval history.
Ballet: Ballerinas Practice their Art
The ballerinas rest their points on one of the wreck's many railings while instead of catching butterflies, a young girl catches fish with her net. But the ordinary scenes become extraordinary when they are superimposed over different parts of the eery sunken ship, with its barnacled interiors and expansive decks swarming with fish.
Little Girl: A Young Child Catches Fish Instead of Butterflies
Cinema: Young Lovers Catch a Movie with the Fish
Boxing: A Young Boy Looks on as Boxers Fight Underwater
Brats: Chubby Boys Attack the Gumball Machine
Balance Beam: A child From Another Time
Plays on the Railings of the Wreck
Photographer Andreas Franke says the images show mystified scenes of the past that play in a fictional space. They are dreamworlds where you can get lost or that you can identify with. This makes a new and unexpected atmosphere. So don your diving gear and witness the residents of this curious underwater world in their native habitat, 145 feet under the sea.
Exercise class: Gymgoers Exercise in the Surreal Space
Hanging out the Washing: A Woman in 1940s Dress
Goes About her Daily Chores
Kiddies Playing: Children in Period Dress Play
in the Ship's Interior
Lunch break: A Worker Eats While Slouched
on the Sunken Ship's Steps
Couch Potato: A Young Boy Watches Television
as Fish Swim By
Unique: Gallery Goers can Access the Exhibition by Boat
From Key West, Florida
Wreck: The Vandenberg, Pictured, Sunk Seven Miles
off the Coast of Florida in 2009
Greek philosopher Plato wrote of the legendary city of Atlantis, that sunk to the bottom of the ocean. Now photographer Andreas Franke has created a similar mythical underwater world for a new exhibition - but you can only see it with your scuba gear on. Divers can Only Access the Exhibition by Boat from Key West, Florida. Armed with his camera, Mr Franke dove down to the Vandenberg, a United States missile tracking ship that sunk in 2009 off the coast of Key West, Florida, and used the spectacular images he took as a canvas for a surreal civilization that never existed.
The Sinking World is an ongoing series of fine art photography projects by reknown photographer Andreas Franke. The images are enchanting in their own right, but what makes this art project particularly fascinating is where the artist chooses to display it. The final artwork is placed at its origin, at the place that is used as their backdrop.
RELATED: An Underwater Art World that is Helping to Save Our Oceans
