Activating a global community of collectors to launch the most ambitious coral restoration project in human history with the creation of the largest underwater artwork on the planet.

Coral reefs are one of the natural wonders of this planet, supporting the livelihoods of over 1B people and providing a home to 25% of the world’s marine species. Despite their incredible value and beauty, they’re facing a number of threats. Without a radical intervention, 90% of reefs are projected to be at risk of extinction by 2040.

That’s precisely why we need to launch XPRIZE Coral Restoration, the most ambitious effort ever to accelerate new coral restoration technologies and inspire the innovations needed to restore Earth’s reefs at an unprecedented speed and scale.

To fund the launch of XPRIZE Coral Restoration, we are partnering with world-renowned sculptor and ocean conservationist, Jason deCaires Taylor and the Government of Barbados for the XPRIZE Ocean Guardian Project on a groundbreaking collaboration that connects digital art with physical sculptures that will serve as the foundation of a new reef – evolving organically over time as they seed the growth of new corals, sponges and other marine life.

This will be the world’s largest underwater sculpture. Visible from space, the installation will serve as a dive site, tourist attraction, and testing lab for teams competing in XPRIZE Coral Restoration.

The project will unite a global community of active supporters, using blockchain technology to bring collectors along on an exciting journey throughout the lifecycle of XPRIZE Coral Restoration.

The physical sculpture will include a central monolithic figure surrounded by life-sized Ocean Guardian sculptures that will transform into living coral reefs over time.

Each Ocean Guardian will be paired with a digital artwork, updated at key milestones throughout the prize, to reflect physical changes in the associated sculpture, connecting the physical and digital worlds.

Collectors will be granted the exclusive opportunity to personalize the face of their physical sculpture with their likeness or that of a loved one, before it is placed underwater.

The physical sculptures will be produced with ultra-low carbon concrete designed to seed the formation of a new coral reef. This growth will organically change the installation as corals grow across the sculptures’ surfaces. These unique works will serve as a monument to the enduring legacy of XPRIZE Coral Restoration and the support of the Government of Barbados, inspiring generations of ocean lovers to believe in the power of people to shape a positive future for our planet.

The Ocean Guardian collector experience comes with varying benefits and utility, based on your donation level. Please see Digital Art Utility to learn more!

Your funds will be treated as a donation directed to the launch and impact of XPRIZE Coral Restoration. As a 501-c3 foundation, XPRIZE will provide documentation of your support as a tax-deductible donation.

Ocean Guardian collectors will receive access to the XPRIZE web3 app to connect with our digital community, get project updates and access exclusive metaverse and IRL experiences.

Collectors will receive an email with a community activation link after completing the registration below.

Collecting an Ocean Guardian NFT facilitates a wide range of experiences:

• Ability to customize each unique guardian sculpture via facial scan
• Your digital art will evolve throughout the lifecycle of XPRIZE Coral Restoration, as the corresponding physical sculpture evolves
• Access to visit the sculpture site with local dive crew, in accordance with local guidelines and coordination with local authorities
• Access to token-gated community activities
• Exclusive invites to community meet-ups around signature XPRIZE events
• Opportunities to interact with XPRIZE Coral Restoration’s winning teams and coral experts
• Collectors who buy multiple Ocean Guardian NFTs can select sculpture location in the physical installation
• Opportunities to interact with XPRIZE Coral Restoration’s winning teams and coral experts
• Collectors who buy 5 or more Guardians will receive 1-year membership access to the Spirit of XPRIZE community

Jason deCaires Taylor MRSS, born in 1974 to an English father and a Guyanese mother, is a sculptor, environmentalist and professional underwater photographer.

His permanent site-specific sculptural works are predominately exhibited in submerged and tidal marine environments, exploring modern themes of conservation and environmental activism. Taylor gained international recognition in 2006 with the creation of the world’s first underwater sculpture park, Moilinere Bay Underwater Sculpture Park, situated off the west coast of Grenada in the West Indies. It is now listed as one of the Top 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic.

Taylor’s pioneering public art projects are not only examples of successful marine conservation, but works of art that seek to encourage environmental awareness and lead us to appreciate the breathtaking natural beauty of the underwater world. The XPRIZE Coral Restoration sculpture collection will be his largest and most ambitious project to date.

His work has been recognized by:

XPRIZE is the global leader in designing and operating incentive competitions to solve humanity’s grand challenges.

Our first XPRIZE, launched in 1994, the $10 million Ansari XPRIZE for private spaceflight, spurred the emergence of the private space industry and created exponential breakthroughs. Since then we have designed, operated and awarded prizes across multiple domains.

As a nonprofit 501(c)3 with 29 years of operating prize competitions, we are a platform for collaboration and change. An XPRIZE identifies a current problem and defines a breakthrough solution, then uses a large prize award to incentivize the crowd to create the breakthroughs needed to solve that problem.