A magical evening unfolded on Friday in the gardens of the iconic Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, as talented artists, rock stars, celebrities and art collectors gathered to support Thirty Six For Coral — the world’s first major international art exhibition and auction dedicated to coral reef conservation. (You can take part in the online auction here: coralcollective.basta.app – it ends in FIVE days!)
Named for the 36 world-renowned artists who have come together to help save coral reefs from extinction, it’s about more than just beautiful art. It’s a powerful call to action for global conservation efforts for coral reefs, the “rainforests of the sea”.
Why coral? Because up to 90% of corals could be lost by 2050, even if climate warming increases by “only” 1.5°C, according to the UN’s climate change body, the IPCC.
Spearheaded by Project Zero’s powerhouse CEO Michele Clarke and art-world entrepreneur (and rock royalty) Tyrone Wood, the Thirty Six for Coral initiative is backed by Princess Eugenie and a host of other notable names. Prince Albert II of Monaco was at the exhibition’s launch, which was held to coincide with the recent United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice.
The exhibition on the French Riviera finished on Friday, followed by a foot-stomping performance under the setting sun by Bernard Fowler, the legendary backing vocalist and percussionist for the Rolling Stones. And a long-time supporter of Project Zero.
It was fitting that the Mediterranean Sea was his backdrop since we were there to save the ocean, particularly coral reefs, with an auction of incredible ocean-inspired pieces. Ten select pieces were auctioned live at the event, and the other provocative, hopeful and brilliant pieces are available through the online auction.
We NEED coral! It isn’t just something beautiful to look at during a diving expedition. It’s essential. Coral reefs support at least 25 per cent of marine species, and ensuring their survival is not only “important for the health of our ocean but also for the survival and wellbeing of humanity as a whole”, according to the UN. (The loss of coral reef ecosystems would impact the safety of hundreds of millions of people around the world – essential for maintaining food supplies and protecting island shorelines from waves and floods.)
In short, the state of coral reefs is a global crisis… with a lack of visibility and funding. About a year ago Project Zero got a call from the UN’s Global Funds for Coral Reefs (GFCR) with a request to “bring coral into culture” and that’s how The Coral Collective came into being, Michele told Riviera Edition.
The Collective aims to raise awareness and funding to protect and restore “one of the most critically endangered ecosystems on Earth”. Michele told Riviera Edition that currently only 3% of all global philanthropy is earmarked for the environment… and only 6% of that goes towards ocean conservation!
Here’s hoping the Coral Collective radically changes that!
Funds from the Thirty Six for Coral auction will go to supporting coral projects around the world, in at least 30 countries. The Coral Collective supports three main organisations with one goal in mind: save coral reefs from functional extinction. (The organisations are: The Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) and The Academy for Coral.)
Take Action. Help Save Coral Reefs
Join the online auction and help save the coral, and get a fantastic piece of art. And please spread the world. Let’s get coral into conversations around the world!
💙 Auction live now: coralcollective.basta.app
