Focus on the Ocean

“Focus” is a unique collaboration between the artist, the scientist, and the patron, leading to the creation of an innovative and impactful ocean conservation project that will engage a broader audience and inspire change for a deeper understanding of our fragile oceans.

The Art Beneath the Waves

When you think of art, it’s likely that underwater sculptures aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, Ross Power has embraced the depths of the ocean as his canvas. His work transcends traditional galleries, inviting us to explore the mesmerizing world beneath the waves.

Focus represents the collaboration between the artist, scientist, and the patron. This stainless steel sculpture measures eight feet tall by fourteen feet in diameter and is presently on display at Florida International University until the artist determines its final undersea home.

When permanently installed in approximately twenty-five feet of Caribbean glass clear water it becomes a living sculptural marine habitat as it attracts a myriad of tropical marine life.

“Focus on the Ocean” is a groundbreaking endeavor, set to make a profound impact both artistically and educationally. The project involves creating an underwater sculpture off the coast of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, turning the area into a magnet for both divers and art enthusiasts.

Art Meets Education: The Benefits Inspiring Marine Conservation

The Ross Power project aligns art with a critical cause: marine conservation. His sculpture, nestled in the ocean’s embrace, draws attention to the fragile beauty of underwater ecosystems. Through his work, he inspires a deeper understanding of our oceans and encourages active efforts to protect them.

The sculpture will serve as more than an artistic installation. It becomes a living reef, attracting both diverse marine life and divers. This natural interaction showcases the symbiotic relationship between art and the environment. It’s an educational opportunity that textbooks can’t replicate.

“Focus on the Ocean” bridges the gap between art and science. The sculpture itself, now covered in marine growth and full of marine life, is captivating in its transformation. This dynamic aspect of art sparks curiosity and fosters a deep appreciation for the connection between humanity and the ocean.

Interactive Kiosk and Undersea Photography: Bringing Undersea Art to the People

To help make this art accessible to all, an interactive kiosk will be the pedestal for showcasing the original stainless-steel sculpture maquette that will be strategically placed on land offering a window into SVG’s underwater world and enhancing the public’s engagement with Focus. Visitors can learn about the artist, the project, its patron and its ecological significance as it encourages diving and exploring the art.

The kiosk installation including the original maquette Focus sculpture will stand approximately seven feet tall. Video monitors will be mounted on each side of the pedestal that will show selected and constantly updated underwater photography of the sculptural marine habitat taken by visiting divers. This diver interaction is cornerstone to the Focus project. A “QR” code will allow for a smart phone audio description of Focus.

Interactive Kiosk and Undersea Photography: Bringing Undersea Art to the People

To help make this art accessible to all, an interactive kiosk will be the pedestal for showcasing the original stainless-steel sculpture maquette that will be strategically placed on land offering a window into SVG’s underwater world and enhancing the public’s engagement with Focus. Visitors can learn about the artist, the project, its patron and its ecological significance as it encourages diving and exploring the art.

The kiosk installation including the original maquette Focus sculpture will stand approximately seven feet tall. Video monitors will be mounted on each side of the pedestal that will show selected and constantly updated underwater photography of the sculptural marine habitat taken by visiting divers. This diver interaction is cornerstone to the Focus project. A “QR” code will allow for a smart phone audio description of Focus.

Focus Promotes Ecotourism & Citizen Science

As divers interact with the Focus sculptural marine habitat, they have the option to photograph and upload their images to the dedicated Focus website. Those photographs that are chosen by the artist will be included in the photo documentation as well as the monitoring program. These individuals now become “citizen scientists” as  they become a part of the Focus legacy. The chosen photos will be featured in the Kiosk, tabletop books and additionally become a focal point in the film documentary which is already in progress.

Focus Promotes Ecotourism & Citizen Science

As divers interact with the Focus sculptural marine habitat, they have the option to photograph and upload their images to the dedicated Focus website. Those photographs that are chosen by the artist will be included in the photo documentation as well as the monitoring program. These individuals now become “citizen scientists” as  they become a part of the Focus legacy. The chosen photos will be featured in the Kiosk, tabletop books and additionally become a focal point in the film documentary which is already in progress.

The Artist – Biography Brief

Ross Power is a renowned artist who has been creating public sculptures for over 40 years. Born in 1950 in Brooklyn, New York, Power’s artistic journey led him to San Antonio, Texas, where he studied art at Trinity University. His studio is now in Vero Beach, Florida.

His work can be found in various prominent locations throughout the United States and around the world. Power’s sculptures often focus on environmental themes, and he is particularly passionate about ocean conservation. In 1985, he created the world’s first undersea art gallery, where his monumental stainless-steel sculptures were airlifted miles out into the Atlantic Ocean and anchored to the ocean floor for two years as public undersea art. These sculptures, now retrieved from the ocean, are on display in his two-acre sculpture garden at Florida International University, Miami, Florida.

Power’s sculptures have also been commissioned for prestigious locations such as the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Maui, Hawaii, MGM Film Studios’ corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, California, and the Gran Hotel Son Net in Mallorca, Spain.

 His dedication to raising social and environmental awareness is demonstrated through his art.

The Scientists – Brief Excerpts

(Complete letters available upon request)

Florida International University
Dr. Laurie L. Richardson
Department of Biological Sciences

“While recently standing inside Focus here on Florida International University campus I became particularly impressed with the many ledges, crevices, and openings inside of the sculpture. This will allow for a vast variety of marine life to flourish. The large openings at the top and the circumference of the bottom will allow for easy entrance and exit of larger marine life including dolphins and turtles while making it easy for divers to access.”

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute 
Fort Pierce, Florida 
Fraser R. Dalgleish, Ph.D. 
Project Manager, Optical Engineering 

“I commend your marriage of science and art with the Focus sculpture. The gradual colonization of this sculptural marine habitat with marine organisms is of scientific interest, particularly that of coral colonies.” 

Smithsonian Institute 
Smithsonian Marine Station
Fort Pierce, Florida
Woody Lee
Research Specialist 

“I would expect your sculpture will be home to many fish, invertebrates, and plants. Focus shows significant scientific consideration that is an essential aspect of its aesthetic artistic design.”

University of South Carolina
Department of Geological Sciences
Christopher G. Kendall
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Geological Sciences

“I think Focus is a brilliant way to involve art with boundaries of science. When art and science combine, they generate media and public interest, so that as your art excites interest so science can educate.” 

Stability Analysis for the FOCUS Sculptural Marine Habitat
Lee Harris, PhD., P.E.
Professor of Ocean Engineering
Florida Institute of Ocean Engineering
Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, Florida

“This report presents the results of a stability analysis performed for “Focus” which is an underwater sculpture. Wave conditions were based on the hundred-year design storm conditions for Miami-Dade County, Florida. These forces are calculated using the Morrison Equation.”

Focus Marine Habitat Monitoring Program 
Produced by Dr. Michael Heithaus
Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences and Education 
Florida International University 

“This monitoring program will be used to determine the biological communities utilizing the Sculptural Marine Habitat. The project meets the goal of providing and/or enhancing marine habitat.

The Patron

“Focus on the Ocean” is an art project that transcends the ordinary, offering an extraordinary opportunity for those who cherish art, the environment, and the exclusivity of making a lasting impact. This project is a canvas on which your legacy will be etched forever.

The Focus Sculpture – the original stainless-steel art, measures approximately eight feet tall and fourteen feet diameter. Ross Power will be responsible for crating and delivery to Miami port. Upon delivery to SVG port the artist will be assisting in the transportation to the Focus undersea location, assembling and installing permanently on the ocean floor with four mooring buoys permanently defining a no-anchoring or fishing, safe zone.

The Focus Sculpture Maquette and Kiosk – This stainless-steel sculpture measuring approximately two feet tall and three feet in diameter will be installed on the custom kiosk pedestal (three feet diameter by five feet tall) with video monitors displaying the Focus project for showing continuously updated undersea photography of the Focus Sculptural Marine Habitat. A “QR” code on the Kiosk for smart phone connection, will provide the artist’s audio project description to the audience.

Patron Benefits

Ownership of:  

• The Focus sculptural marine habitat
• The Focus sculpture maquette
• The Kiosk
• All photography that is uploaded to the dedicated Focus website will be available for the production of table top books.
• The Focus website  
• Focal point for ongoing coverage in art, diving, environmental and travel publications.    
• Patron’s name will be integrated into the project name honoring their support for the arts and ocean conservation while creating an ecotourism destination that will benefit the economy and the community.