Ocean Utopia – underwater sculptures by Val at Koh Tao, Thailand, a conservation project with New Heaven Reef Conservation Program
underwater sculpture Val conservation Koh Tao diving koh tao
coral reef conservation
sculpture thailand
underwater statue
statue thailand
underwater sculpture Val conservation Koh Tao: Ocean Utopia is an underwater evolutionary sculptures project created by Valérie Goutard (Val), the renowned French contemporary sculptor. Val has installed Ocean Utopia 12 meters underwater in the south of Koh Tao in Thailand which is a world scuba diving hotspot. This artwork constitutes a fusion between art, ecology and coral reef preservation as Val has chosen coral to be one of the mediums of Ocean Utopia in addition to concrete and bronze. The vision of Val is to promote marine ecology and coral reef preservation through art and to use her notoriety to educate divers to this universal ecological cause through this unique underwater sculptures installation.
diving koh tao
coral reef conservation
sculpture thailand
underwater statue
statue thailand
Koh Tao was chosen by Val and her husband Frédéric for the installation of Ocean Utopia because this island is very dear to them, having many happy memories of their visits and dives there along the years. With this project they gave something back to the island that will enrich the local environment and community.
Having in mind to match their passion for art and their love for nature and sea, they decided to team up with Chad Scott and his team from New Heaven Reef Conservation Program (NHRCP) to achieve the installation of the artwork underwater in respect of sea regulation and ecological concern. The NHRCP also managed the development of corals around and on the artworks; coral being one the mediums chosen by Val for her artwork. The chosen site is a protected and restricted area for preservation and regeneration of coral reefs and is located in the south of the island opposite Tao Tong Bay.
