USS Vandenberg hosts unique underwater exhibition

A sunken ship in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is attracting art enthusiasts with a new exhibition located 90 feet below the ocean's surface. Fans of photography who are scuba diving in Florida will have the chance to dive down to the USS Vandenberg and take a look at a unique exhibition of 12 photographs which are placed in the hallways and galleries of the sunken vessel.

The Vandenberg: Life Below the Surface exhibition is made up of photographs that were taken by the Austrian photographer, Andreas Franke, over a year ago during his first trip to the ship while scuba diving in Florida. He then digitally enhanced the original photographs and added people to the ghostly scenes from the sunken ship. The images show a girl chasing a school of minnows with a butterfly net on the sunken-ships deck, a bartender pouring drinks for dancing voyagers, and 1950's teens waiting in line for movie tickets on the ship's upper deck.

As far as underwater museums go, this is one of the most enchanting as the photos bring to life stories of the sunken ship, capturing the imagination of its visitors. Andreas explains on the exhibition website: "Mystified scenes of the past that play in a fictional space. Dreamworlds, where you can get lost or you can identify with. This makes a new and unexpected atmosphere."

He said: "In my photography I try to construct illusionistic worlds. I like to see things from a different angle and I try to create new kind of views. Thereby taking images of a sunken ship and bringing life back to the ship by filling these images with stories was always very interesting for me. By diving the Vandenberg I finally found the perfect stage and the last obstacle to realise my idea was removed."

The USS Vandenberg is situated seven miles south of Key West in the waters of one of the most popular scuba diving destinations in the United States, Florida Keys. Originally used by the US Navy as a troop transport ship for World War II in 1943, the ship was also used as the stage for the science fiction film, Virus. The 523-feet vessel was sunk in May 2009 and is now the second largest artificial reef in the world.

The exhibition began on 4th August, 2011 and the images are encased between sheets of Plexiglas and framed with stainless steel. The silicone seal prevents water from damaging the photographs which are attached to the ship by strong magnets. During scuba diving holidays or trips, divers can access the exhibition by boat charters organised from Key West.