A new Miami Beach underwater art installation aims to help coral thrive
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — South Beach has long been known for its Art Deco pastels and neon nightlife. But it's also home to something else: a bustling coral reef just hundreds of feet offshore.
Soon, that natural reef is expected to be along the path of a roughly seven-mile public art installation, called The Reefline, which will be part sculpture park and part snorkeling trail celebrating and supporting marine life.
'Mother Nature is the ultimate artist,' said Reefline founder and artistic director Ximena Caminos. 'What we're doing is giving nature and amplifying that marine habitat, because it's needed.'
Corals are struggling worldwide; The Reefline hopes to help them flourish in South Florida, starting with its Phase 1 rollout this year when a series of concrete cars will be submerged, creating a traffic jam.
'How do we turn doomsday into optimism?' said Caminos.
Those sculptures won't just drive conversation. The Reefline says they'll give fish shelter; fish will help corals thrive. According to organizers, the new marine communities will provide an added benefit: beachfront erosion prevention.
Artificial reefs are not a new concept.
But The Reefline's coral expert, Colin Foord, said the new project goes further by rescuing dislodged, climate-resilient corals whose clones will be locked onto the project's planned hybrid reef.
'We are accelerating the development of a fully healthy coral reef by decades by putting out small pieces of coral that we are growing here in the lab,' Foord said in a Miami lab housing submerged corals.
'When you put the mask on and you get into the water, it's like time slows down,' said Foord.
'I think that if more people have that type of opportunity, then that helps change public perception about the need to protect the environment.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Edinburgh Live
Antiques Roadshow guest gobsmacked as five-figure value of family heirloom unveiled
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A guest on Antiques Roadshow was visibly moved after learning the surprising auction value of her family heirloom brooch during a repeat episode from series 45, broadcast on Sunday 8th June. The programme transported viewers to Brodie Castle, where numerous guests had their prized possessions evaluated by the show's experts. In a particularly touching moment towards the end of the show, one woman was astonished when Susan Rumfitt, an expert from Antiques Roadshow, revealed the potential auction price of her treasured brooch. Susan praised the Art Deco-style brooch during her conversation with the owner, playfully remarking, "I hope you wear it every day." The owner replied in jest: "I do," but then clarified that she actually wears it for evening occasions, reports the Express. (Image: BBC) When asked if the brooch was part of a larger collection, the owner admitted to having additional pieces, but highlighted the diamond brooch as the standout item. Susan delved into the brooch's past, prompting the owner to recount its lineage from her grandmother, who, despite being a farmer's wife, dressed extravagantly for social events, hence the opulent brooch. Susan disclosed that the brooch dates back to the 1930s. She elaborated on the design philosophy, noting: "The style of jewellery was very similar to the '20s in regards to being bold and impressive as we're seeing here." Susan noted, "But we've moved away from colour and also concentrating on diamonds as well, which is quite extraordinary considering that in 1929 we had the Wall Street Crash and The Depression." (Image: BBC) She added, "Suddenly we're now concentrating on diamonds which does seem rather strange." The expert informed the guest that the diamonds were of modern brilliant cut, a characteristic uncommon in pre-1930s jewellery, when diamonds tended to be cushion-shaped and less refined. Susan explained that by the 1930s, advancements in diamond cutting led to more precise, symmetrical designs. While examining the piece, the expert highlighted its uniqueness, pointing out that most bow brooches typically come apart, but this one surprisingly did not. Intrigued, Susan asked the owner about her estimate of the diamond's carat weight, to which the woman guessed three carats. As Susan pulled a surprised expression, the guest hesitated: "Shall I reduce that slightly?" The expert's unexpected response followed: "How about 14? Obviously, that's going to help with the value, isn't it?" (Image: BBC) The owner was astonished, laughing and optimistically commenting on the potential boost to the brooch's worth. Susan concluded, "It's stunning. It makes us smile. In an auction, I'd expect this to fetch an excess of £20,000." Overwhelmed by the high valuation, the lady exclaimed: "Oh my goodness! That's taken my breath away that one, brings tears to my eyes!" Despite discovering its staggering value, she affirmed her decision to continue wearing the brooch. The crowd erupted into cheers as the woman admitted that learning about the real value of her grandmother's brooch was quite a surprise. Antiques Roadshow is currently available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Time Out
6 days ago
- Time Out
Explore Singapore's best bars with this unique hydrating bar hop experience
Tell me more about the bars we're hitting up On the second hop, we're taking you to NOST, a cosy, low-lit cocktail cocoon lodged in one of the shophouses in Club Street. On the flipside, you'll also get to soak up the grandeur of ATLAS, Singapore's Art Deco gin temple, where the cocktails are as extravagant as the interiors. Then elevate your night at HighHouse – quite literally on levels 61 and 62 at One Raffles Place. This sky-high spot impresses with stunning city views, slick interiors, and bar bites worth the lift ride alone. And because we can't get enough of Stay Gold Flamingo, we're heading back there for the second time – but with a different treat, of course. Free transport will be provided to shuttle you from one bar to the next. What's on the cocktail menu? NOST's Zappel is a crisp mix of Glenlivet apple cider, fino sherry, and celery tonic water. At ATLAS, the S.W. Tönikum tickles the tastebuds with a layered blend of Monkey 47 Gin, cherry, chocolate, vanilla, and Perrier that's fruity, creamy, and beautifully complex. HighHouse's Monk in the Jungle shakes things up with Havana 7 and monk fruit tea. Back at Stay Gold Flamingo, the Bloody Maria packs a punch with Codigo 1530 mezcal, kagome tomato, lemon, firewater, and saline for a spicy, smoky finish. Will there be snacks with my sips? You bet there are. NOST serves up the cheekily named Wagwan Bakwan – corn fritters jazzed up with scallions and carrot – and a deeply fudgy Nost Brownie topped with sea salt espuma. Over at ATLAS, you'll get truffled polenta croquettes with porcini salt and parmigiano reggiano, as well as a very special treat: popcorn cream cone. At HighHouse, it's a proper feast with buttermilk fried prawns in sweet-and-sour sauce and sticky lamb ribs piled high on fried potato salad, then topped with garlicky XO sauce. Stay Gold Flamingo's spicy-savoury combo of mala quail eggs and padron peppers makes a welcome return.
Metro
6 days ago
- Metro
Former BBC studios where EastEnders was filmed riddled with asbestos
A crumbling production complex where EastEnders and other iconic BBC TV shows have been filmed has been found to be riddled with asbestos. A pre-demolition survey of BBC Elstree Centre — sold to investment giant AXA IM Alts — shows that the substance is present across the buildings. Asbestos material was found in studios, a restaurant, the Central Technical Area, Hart House, the historic Fairbanks, a maintenance building and Neptune House, where Holby City was filmed. The new owners commissioned the survey as they turn the world-famous site in Borehamwood, north west London, into a film-making complex meeting modern standards. At the Art Deco-style studios where EastEnders, Children in Need and the BBC's General Election coverage have been filmed, the material was found in more than 150 different places. One sample was taken from insulation within a wall void and given a high priority classification. The inspectors found that the material was likely to be 'easily disturbed' and flagged it as 'remove.' Another sample taken from a restaurant block was classed as 'high priority'. However the material, used for thermal insulation, was judged 'usually inaccessible or unlikely to be disturbed.' Another sample was taken from stairs on the ground floor of studios M and C, according to the document released this week. The presence of the material was judged 'low risk' but Asbestos Consultants Europe Ltd recommended it be removed. AXA IM Alts said in January 2024 that it had exchanged contracts with the BBC for the 16-acre campus, with the deal due to be completed early this year. EastEnders will remain in an already modernised part of the site under a deal between the old and new owners to lease back part of the studio campus over the next 25 years. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The investment company has said in a planning application that 'the existing premises are no longer fit for purpose' and the redevelopment 'will boost the Elstree film industry.' The buyers, who are working with Oxygen Studios on the plans, intend to create a major new film and TV production complex with modern day requirements able to attract large-scale productions. The new development has been named Fairbanks Studios in tribute to actor Douglas Fairbanks, who leased studios on the site in 1952. The report was carried out to protect workers and others from 'asbestos containing materials' which might be unknowingly disturbed during demolition work. A spokesperson for AXA IM Alts said: 'We are fully aware of the presence of asbestos on the site which is common in old buildings and those that have been added to during their lifespan. More Trending 'These buildings are not currently in use and have not been occupied since we acquired them. 'Our development plans to transform the site into a fit for purpose, modern media campus already account for the safe removal of any asbestos using experts in this field and according to current regulations.' The BBC forwarded a request for comment from Metro to AXA IM Alts. Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: Elstree & Borehamwood: Tinseltown's less glamorous movie twin put EastEnders, Star Wars and Indiana Jones on the map MORE: BBC show branded 'completely unwatchable' triggers complaint from epilepsy group MORE: BBC releases Match of the Day 'porn noises' report it tried to keep secret
