Austrian art photographer Andreas Franke premiered a second series of his world-renowned ‘The Sinking World’ on the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg during the shipwreck’s 10-year sinking anniversary celebration May 23-27, 2019 in Key West.
Franke describes his taking photographs as his way of dealing with a subject.
His said his images represent everything beautiful about this world and its future generations, yet juxtaposed with the images are facts intended to create awareness about how humans can curb reliance on plastics, the extent of plastic garbage that inhabits the oceans worldwide and its harmful impact on the living beings in the ocean.
Individually encased in plexiglass, mounted in stainless steel frames and sealed with silicone, the images are to be placed along both the port and starboard sides of the Vandenberg May 24 and remain underwater through the Keys’ summer dive season.
Attached to the ship’s hull, the images soon begin to accrue the ocean’s salt, algae and microorganisms, transforming the art in peculiar ways.
Aficionados and collectors can find originals and recreations of ‘The Sinking World’ at 7 Artists Gallery, at 213 Simonton St.
“Art patrons are charmed and enamored by the genius of ‘The Sinking World,’ and its timely and profound messaging,” said gallery owner Jennifer Badry.
“The sinking of the Vandenberg … and the profound ecological benefits so exquisitely rendered by Mother Nature’s growth on Andreas’ breathtaking, visionary artworks is sublime.”
Franke first photographed the Vandenberg wreck in 2010 for his premier 2011 collection that earned worldwide accolades. To learn more, visit plasticocean.gallery.
PHOTO CREDITS: Joe Berg/Way Down Video