Eva Bigando

The Underwater Landscape: A Vernacular Term? Reflections Through the Eyes and Experiences of Divers

This article is based on the results of a preliminary survey carried out with divers to analyse what the underwater landscape means for them. It aims at defining the contours of this concept in terms of their experience and their mental representations. Without claiming to offer an in-depth response to this question, this article sets out to establish a better understanding of the relationship between man and the accessible part of the underwater world, by defining the ways in which this specific environment is grasped, especially through the experience of landscapes it offers—from the understanding of their material and physical nature, to sensations and emotions involved—drawing on those who have first-hand knowledge of these subaqueous spheres—underwater divers. We will first discuss the precise terms of the survey itself, before going on to show how usage of the concept of underwater landscape is indeed replete with meaning for divers, by shedding light not only on the different connotations and denotations the term has for them, but also on the experiences it offers.