Beneath the Surface

Beneath the Surface transforms a village wall into the threshold of an underwater world, inviting viewers to look beyond what’s visible. This site-specific mural brings to life the often-overlooked presence of marine algae, depicting them not as background elements, but as dynamic and essential protagonists of oceanic life.
Inspired by direct observation of Ustica’s submerged vegetation and the artist’s engagement with ocean literacy, the work offers a visual meditation on the resilience, intelligence, and regenerative power of algae. These silent architects of the sea produce oxygen, store carbon, and nourish ecosystems, yet remain largely unacknowledged. By extending marine life into urban space, the mural dissolves the boundaries between architecture and ocean, land and sea. The composition — fluid, layered, and impressionistic — envelops the viewer in a suspended moment between surface and depth. It challenges our habitual perceptions, urging us to reconsider the connections between our daily lives and the ocean’s invisible infrastructures. More than a painted wall, Beneath the Surface is a visual portal that recenters attention on fragility, interdependence, and wonder — inviting us to care for what lies beneath.