In late June, a remarkable event took place off the coast of Italy. Five stunning sculptures crafted from glistening white marble were carefully placed on the seabed as part of a unique art project called Casa dei Pesci. These sculptures, created by five talented up-and-coming artists over a three-month period, now rest in a modern underwater city accessible only to free-divers and experienced scuba divers.
Contrary to the prevalent practice of showcasing art for public viewing, throughout history, artists and craftspeople have often hidden their work away. From ancient cave painters to medieval stonemasons, there is a mysterious allure to creating art that is not meant for sale or traditional classification. This hidden artwork possesses an energy and integrity that resonates with those fortunate enough to discover it.
Emily Young, a renowned artist residing in Tuscany, reflects on the indomitable nature of human creativity. She is one of the artists who have contributed to the Casa dei Pesci over the years. According to Young, people will always find ways to express themselves creatively, even in challenging circumstances. She describes this tenacity as heroic, emphasizing the importance of leaving one’s mark on the world. Some artists, like Young, channel their creative energy into solving real-world problems.
The Casa dei Pesci was conceptualized by Paolo Fanciulli, a local fisherman, as both a remarkable work of art and a practical solution to the devastating ecological impact of industrial-scale trawling. The trawling had transformed the once-lush sea meadows into lifeless sludge. Fanciulli’s idea involved using the sculptures to entangle the massive trawling nets while stabilizing the ocean floor, allowing the ecosystem to regenerate.
Many local artists, as well as the generous owner of the quarry that once supplied marble for Michelangelo’s works, have embraced Fanciulli’s inspiring concept. The quarry owner donated flawed marble slabs that were unsellable, and Emily Young carved three monumental heads from them. One of these heads, weighing 12 tonnes, now rests eight meters below the surface. This sculpture, named Weeping Guardian due to a natural tear-like flaw in the stone, symbolizes the emotional impact of these submerged artworks.
Since the arrival of Young’s sculptures in 2015, the marine life in the area has experienced a significant revival. Seaweed and lobsters have returned, and dolphins have begun playing in the vicinity. The Weeping Guardian, along with the other sculptures, will eventually become part of a vibrant and diverse underwater reef.
Although Young is unable to personally dive to witness this underwater transformation, it has been captured on film. She finds it magical to witness the growth of seaweed and wonders how future archaeologists will interpret these organic structures. The destiny of these sculptures remains uncertain, as they could either become powerful remnants of the past or fade away entirely. This uncertainty serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges and unknowns that humanity faces.
The interplay between the past, present, and future is a recurrent theme in the hidden art world. An urban architectural pioneer named Dan Dubowitz created a similar project during the revitalization of Manchester’s Ancoats district. The project, called Ancoats Peeps, consisted of spyholes that provided glimpses into various scenarios inside old buildings. These scenarios ranged from abandoned workshops to perplexing timepieces. Dubowitz views his work as creating places rather than traditional art. The number and purpose of the peepholes remained intentionally obscure, requiring visitors to put effort into discovering them.
While most of the Ancoats Peeps project concluded in 2012 and was documented in a book, a few peepholes still exist today. Nevertheless, Dubowitz believes that the ephemeral nature of these art installations is in line with the cycle of city life. Ancoats has now transformed into a desirable neighborhood, fulfilling the purpose of the project.
Dubowitz has expanded this concept further in the development of Mayfield, a once-neglected area behind Piccadilly station in Manchester. The “Grit Walks” initiative involves distributing cards with historical anecdotes to security guards and attendants, fostering the creation of urban legends and humanizing the area. Visitors are led along pathways imbued with the determination and perseverance that define gritty areas like Mayfield. This hidden construct only exists in fragments within the minds of those who have experienced it.
Another example of hidden art is Jane Edden’s Post Secrets project. In 2009, Edden partnered with local drama students to create miniature dramas hidden inside metal traffic bollards in Cardiff City Centre. Viewers could only glimpse these scenes through pinholes in the bollard casings. Edden aimed to add an artistic element to everyday objects such as bollards, transforming them into something meaningful within the city. The secrecy surrounding the project ensured that only those who lived in Cardiff would be aware of its existence.
Years later, Edden’s bollards became local landmarks, repeatedly rediscovered by the public. However, some suffered vandalism or theft. A social media campaign was launched, resulting in the return of the damaged bollards for restoration. Nine of them were reinstated in June, while the damaged one was repurposed into an information post.
Jane Edden’s public art project, like many others, has an expected lifespan of 25 years. Despite enduring challenges and wear over 14 years, the bollards have made a lasting impact on the city. Public art must withstand the test of time and various external factors, yet it adds a unique vibrancy to urban spaces.
In conclusion, the world of hidden art captivates us with its mystery and allure. From the submerged sculptures of Casa dei Pesci to the Ancoats Peeps and the Post Secrets bollards, these hidden installations allow us to engage in a conversation across time and space. They remind us that creativity cannot be contained and that art can exist in unexpected places, leaving a lasting impact on those fortunate enough to discover it.
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