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Art Basel Miami Beach 2023 is not just a celebration of contemporary art but also marks the beginning of a significant partnership between the renowned art fair and Parley for the Oceans, an environmental organization dedicated to ocean conservation. This collaboration launches ‘Art for the Oceans’, a global fundraising initiative aimed at combating plastic pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
‘Art for the Oceans’ is a call to action within the art community, leveraging the cultural influence of art to safeguard the planet and foster a more sustainable future. The initiative supports initiatives that protect marine ecosystems and promotes community-led responses to ecological threats. Notably, for every $1 donated, Parley’s Global Cleanup Network will remove 1 lb of plastic from the oceans. The program also includes educational and ocean conservation efforts aligned with Parley’s mission to transform harmful materials and systems for a healthier ocean.
For the first time in its history, Parley will have a dedicated presence at an Art Basel show. At the West Lobby, an immersive Parley display will showcase the beauty and vulnerability of our oceans through various mediums, including video, imagery, and art. This storytelling approach aims to highlight the urgency of the environmental crisis and the interconnectedness of our global community.
Highlighting the intersection of art and environmental activism, Parley will feature artist-designed surfboards and limited-edition ocean bags at the event. These items, incorporating works by renowned artists such as Ed Ruscha, Jenny Holzer, Katharina Grosse, Pipilotti Rist, and Doug Aitken, are made from Parley Ocean Plastic®, a material crafted from up-cycled plastic waste. Each bag represents approximately five plastic bottles intercepted from oceans and coastlines.
During Art Basel Miami Beach, Parley will conduct guided tours focused on sustainability-themed artworks. These tours aim to demonstrate how art can transcend language and cultural barriers, emphasizing the role of art and artists as catalysts for change. The tours, scheduled for December 8-10, will also serve as a fundraising effort, with ticket sales supporting the Parley Foundation.
A striking triptych by artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel, titled ‘Oceans, Climate, Life,’ will be displayed in Collins Park. This large-scale artwork, originally created for Parley’s presentation at the United Nations in 2015, invites viewers to contemplate their relationship with nature and the oceans. Schnabel’s work emphasizes the critical role of oceans in both environmental and human wellbeing.
Cyrill Gutsch, Founder of Parley for the Oceans, expressed the urgency and importance of the initiative. “This might be our last chance to prevent the collapse of our planet. We are calling on the art community to support us in scaling our global impact and programs,” Gutsch said.
Julian Schnabel also shared his thoughts on the initiative, highlighting the broader implications of ocean conservation. “Protecting the oceans is about more than marine wildlife; it’s about preserving humanity itself,” Schnabel remarked.
‘Art for the Oceans’ at Art Basel Miami Beach represents a meaningful convergence of art, activism, and environmental stewardship, aiming to make a tangible impact on the health of our oceans and, by extension, our planet.
