Underwater opening on the wreck of the USS Hoyte S. Vandenberg

In Florida, they have become accustomed to very original ideas to promote the wonderful sport of diving. We have already written to you about sinking wrecks in order to create artificial reefsorganisation an underwater music festival. The local diving community, once again decided to combine diving with art. Gallery of Andreas Franke’s work on the

ByTomasz Andrukajtis

Published: August 12, 2011 - 10:54

Updated: July 22, 2023 - 07:08

Underwater opening on the wreck of the USS Hoyte S. Vandenberg

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In Florida, they have become accustomed to very original ideas to promote the wonderful sport of diving. We have already written to you about sinking wrecks in order to create artificial reefsorganisation an underwater music festival. The local diving community, once again decided to combine diving with art.

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Gallery of Andreas Franke’s work on the USS Hoyte S. Vandenberg

Andreas Franke, an Austrian diver and photo artist, has organised a very original opening for himself. On the wreck of the USS Hoyte S. Vandenberg, resting 30m underwater at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, he has created a gallery to exhibit his work. The 1.2m by 1.5m photographs were spread over a 60m stretch.

The whole project is an ingenious concept, which dovetails perfectly with the execution. Franke first photographed the entire wreck, and then, in the privacy of his studio, digitally combined the photographs with subsequent elements. The effect of his work was enclosed in a protective “package” made of Plexiglas with steel frames sealed with silicone. The whole can now be admired on the sides of the wreck.

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“Despite the abundant fauna surrounding the wreck and all the lush environment, the wreck itself seemed like a dead thing to me. I then thought that adding people to my photographs would bring life back to it,” said the cinematographer

In the individual works that make up the exhibition, we can see people in everyday activities and situations. This creates a wonderful contrast with Vandenberg’s raw, industrial look.

“Everyone is free to interpret my paintings as they see fit. Personally, I like to think that the wreck is a kind of theatre or stage, with people playing the role of actors.” – Franke continues

Joe Weatherby, a resident of Key West, Florida, who was one of the leading figures in the preparation and sinking of the USS Hoyte S. Vandenberg, hopes the exhibit will remain underwater until the end of the year.

Source: keysnews.com
Photo: Andreas Franke/staudinger-franke.com

About author

Tomasz Andrukajtis

Editor-in-chief of the DIVERS24 portal and magazine. Responsible for obtaining, translating and developing content. He also supervises all publications. Achived his first diving certification – P1 CMAS, in 2000. Has a degree in journalism and social communication. In the diving industry since 2008.