Sunlight sparkles off glassy waters. Tides fill cinemas, diners, subway carts and tennis courts. Each scene is dripping in hues of pink and purple, the entire world caught in a perpetual sunset. This is the future envisioned by 3D artist Hayden Clay. At first glance, it’s tranquil and dreamlike, but beneath the surface is a stark warning of a dystopian reality brought about by the climate crisis. The water’s encroachment on everyday places is a reminder that no space is safe from the impact of rising sea levels. Clay’s World Underwater was inspired by a trip to Venice, Italy, a place that floods annually and its sinking foundations could mean it is almost entirely submerged by 2100. The artist explained: “a frightening amount of people choose not to believe in climate change, and those who do may have a hard time imagining its effect on our planet. While the series is surreal and dreamy, it is mean to generate discussions about and create awareness of a very real issue: climate change and rising sea levels.”
Words: Emma Jacob
All images courtesy Hayden Clay.
