Inaugural Art For Our Oceans Gala Benefit and Auction Kicks Off In St Barths
The inaugural Art For Our Oceans benefit gala and auction kicked off on Tuesday the 27th of December, 2022 at the Wall House Museum with 80 guests coming together in the name of protecting the oceans through a beautiful evening in celebration of contemporary art presented by Parley and Saint Barth art.
The first gala of its kind, the art world, climate action supporters, and philanthropists rallied together to raise funds in the name of protecting the beautiful seas surrounding St Barth and beyond. The proceeds go to support the joint mission of Parley, The Territorial Environment Agency, and the local associations to protect the island of St Barths and the surrounding Caribbean Islands.
Guests in attendance included Chrome Hearts founders Laurie Lynn and Richard Stark, along with son Kristian and daughter Frankie Belle; Ming and Aoki Lee Simmons, Ryland Storms, Di Mondo, Lyla Dumont, Mollie Mae, Vilebrequin founder Roland Herlory, Canadian collector François Odermatt, and Xavier Ledee and Bettina Cointre, respectively the President and Vice President of the Territorial Council of Saint Barthélemy.
Art For Our Oceans Co-Organizer Philippe Combres kicked off the speeches expressing appreciation for everyone coming together to make this first edition a successful one: “Art For Our Oceans would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, our donors, and the auction of works by world-renowned artists to raise funds to help the environment and preservation in St Barth.”
The founders of Chrome Hearts / the Starks family - Laurie Lynn, Richard, Jessie Jo, Kristian and Frankie Belle - have played a major role as key benefactors of the benefit and initiative. A family built- and run-business, Chrome Hearts has grown immensely over more than three decades, and the family is putting its influence to making a positive impact on the world through their mutual deep love for nature and conserving it for future generations. They firmly believe that it is their responsibility, as business owners, to nurture and support the local communities where their stores are based — both culturally through arts and sustainably through causes that protect the beauty of each location. With Art For Our Oceans, they have married their passion for arts and their dedication to conserve natural resources and protect the existing environment in a place they consider home. To illustrate their commitment to St Barth and to the beautiful landscape.
The evening and project was made possible through the support of several other partners involved, all of which are making waves to contribute to climate action and protecting the oceans.
The Macallan generously stepped in to bring the necessary funds to make this project come to life. On a mission to leave a legacy of contributing to change for a more sustainable future, The Macallan is aiming to hit carbon neutrality by 2030–a decade before the Scotch Whiskey Association industry targets. It is bringing sustainability into all areas of its operations from innovation and environmental performance to community development, conservation efforts and charitable contributions. Its positive actions highlight its sustainable packaging, biodiversity protection, marine conservation and measures to promote energy efficiency.
Dior, another major benefactor, is pursuing more than ever a desire to protect the precious natural beauty of the world. By implementing collective innovations, building bridges with collaborative partners such as Parley For The Oceans, and a dedicated program “Dream in Green” on a daily basis; the House instills a cooperative, global, and local strategy adapted to the environmental challenges tailored to every region and country – impacting all of Dior's touch points and businesses across the globe.
Vilebrequin and the brand's CEO Roland Herlory have been on a longtime mission to help the oceans, and has recently launched Vilebrequin Foundation to fuel their efforts further. Protecting the oceans is at the heart of the brand: As a company born out of its founder Fred Prysquel being inspired by the sea, a brand whose mascot is the endangered sea turtle, a brand that would not exist without the sea; Vilebrequin and its leadership feel a deep sense of responsibility to serve and protect. With a strong sense of social responsibility, Vilebrequin continues on its journey toward the most sustainable future possible through partnerships, initiatives, and improving its practices, and is well on its way to meeting its goal for 88% of its collections to use recycled, recyclable and environmental-friendly processed fabrics by 2023.
Guests indulged vegetarian dinner creations and culinary surprises generously provided by Eden Rock - St Barths and Head Chef Jean-Georges throughout the night, followed by a live auction and a DJ set by Su Park.
The evening was co-hosted by Art Saint Barth and Parley for the Oceans at the Wall House Museum where a months-long collective show curated by the Art For Our Oceans organizers is on exhibit featuring renowned contemporary artists and works conveying a cohesive message of sustainability and ocean protection at the core. The works on exhibit were auctioned off and included contemporary pieces by Ed Ruscha, Georg Dokoupil, Jenny Holzer, Jeppe Hein, Kenny Scharf, Laurie Lynn Stark, Julio le Parc, Katharine Grosse, Nigel Cooke, Rosemarie Trockel, Tatiana oublie, Camillia Langoux, Ben Reynolds, Bounoure & Genevaux, and Markus Klinko, as well as one-of-a-kind items.
The story does not end here with the success of this gala, rather, this is merely the beginning of many things to come.
On that note, there is yet another “cannot miss” component of the Art For Our Oceans months-long initiative in addition to the benefit gala and exhibition at the museum:
In late January, Art Saint Barth and Parley will unveil a new edition of Doug Aitken's sculptural artwork “Underwater Pavilions,” an immersive underwater installation fabricated by Rossinavi off the shores of Eden Rock in St. Jean Bay. Underwater Pavilions will consist of three site-specific sculptures that are moored to the ocean floor. By merging the language of contemporary architecture, land art, and ocean research, Underwater Pavilions puts the local marine environment and the global challenges around ocean conservation in dialogue, inviting the viewer to interact with the living artwork within a vibrant ecosystem in St Barth.
The future is blue!
More info about Art For Our Oceans:
www.artforouroceans.com
Art For Our Oceans museum exhibit details:
Location: Wall House Museum, Rue de Pitea, La Pointe, Gustavia, St Barths
December 16, 2022 - February 11, 2023
Curated by Art Saint Barth @artsaintbarth & Parley for the Oceans @parley.tv
For more info: Artforouroceans.com
