About 100 meters from the coast of Dakar, Senegal are eight sculptures rising from the ocean floor, five meters below.The pieces of art are part of Oceanium, an ocean diving center and environmental organization in the capital of the West African nation.Dutch and Italian artists Mischa Sanders and Philipp Putzer created the sculptures while training in Dakar.VOA and other media were not able to visit the sculptures during a planned visit recently because of poor weather.The works were first shown at Dakar’s art event which ended this week.The goal is to bring more attention to the pollution that surrounds the sculptures in the hopes of creating a discussion about the environment.Charlotte Thomas is Oceanium’s head of communications.Thomas said, “You see, here in Senegal, the pollution is everywhere.”She added, “You go into Dakar and you see waste all around you. And with the rainy season coming, it’s going to go into the sea. So, if we are not protecting our land, we cannot protect our sea.”
