On May 22nd Prada Group marked the International Day for Biological Diversity with a special Prada Possible Conversations at the Broadway Epicenter dedicated to SEA BEYOND, an educational program conducted since 2019 by Prada Group in partnership with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to raise awareness for sustainability and ocean preservation. The discussion featured Emmy nominated photographer and Climate Artist Enzo Barracco in conversation with Francesca Santoro, UNESCO-IOC Senior Program Officer and Meghan Marrero, NMEA (National Marine Educators Association) Blue Schools Committee Chair.
Prada Possible Conversations is a series of talks hosted at Prada Epicenters between thinkers, cultural arbiters, scientists, and fashion figures from across the world. The talks reflect the plurality and layered passions of the Prada universe. The night was an occasion to discuss the urgency of ocean preservation and environmental stewardship, aimed to inspire audiences to contribute to what is an essential global effort.
Concurrent with this critical conversation, a selection of images by Enzo Barracco, taken from his books “The Noise of Ice: Antarctica” and “The Skin of Rock Galápagos”, were exhibited.
To further reinforce its commitment to support education and ocean conservation, Prada Group granted a donation to NMEA, an organization whose goal to advance the understanding and protection of marine ecosystems aligns with the SEA BEYOND project. With these funds, 16 schools in the Tristate area will be transformed into “Blue Schools”, institutes that infuse ocean literacy and learning into their curricula and engage students in action projects with the goal of developing and supporting the next generation of stewards for our one ocean. After the exhibition, the photographs will be gifted to the schools, which in September begin their path to become Blue Schools. Enzo Barracco was named SEA BEYONDer amongst other prominent personalities for his proven commitment to ocean preservation. These are influential leaders who help Prada Group and UNESCO-IOC spread the SEA BEYOND message. The next step of the collaboration between Enzo Barracco and SEA BEYOND will take shape with a second photographic exhibition, scheduled for early December, 2024 at the Prada Aoyama Epicenter in Tokyo. Barracco will also be launching his latest book on Hawaii’s biodiversity at the event, supported by the project.
The exhibition at the Prada Broadway Epicenter was designed by the New York-based design studio 2×4, a long-time Prada collaborator. The photographs will be on display in store through May 27th, 2024.