Prada Continues Supporting Oceanic Conservation With Sea Beyond Educational Program

Prada continues on its path to raise awareness for ocean preservation.

On Wednesday, Prada Group recognized the International Day for Biological Diversity with a special Prada Possible Conversation 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 to raise awareness for sustainability and ocean preservation.

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Participating in a discussion were 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.

A selection of images by Barracco taken from his books, “The Noise of Ice: Antarctica,” and “The Skin of Rock Galapagos” were exhibited at the store.

Enzo Barracco, Meghan Marrero and Francesco Santoro
Enzo Barracco, Meghan Marrero and Francesco Santoro.

The event attracted more than 200 guests, including writer Amy Sall, artist Cindy Sherman, and architects Elizabeth Diller and Felix Burrichter.

“We are at a critical moment, and we urgently need to take action,” said Santoro. “Our behavior as human beings needs to move toward a more sustainable path. Education and awareness raising are key in this endeavor and can take different forms: the lens of a camera that captures the beauty and fragility of landscapes and species at risk — threatened by the warming of the ocean, a direct consequence of the climate change — is one of these. Photographers are strong allies as, through their art, they can inspire everyone to contribute to this collective effort.”

The Prada Epicenter on Broadway in New York featuring Barracco’s photography.
The Prada Epicenter on Broadway in New York featuring Barracco’s photography.

To further reinforce its commitment to education and ocean conversation, 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 program. 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 one ocean. After the exhibition, the photographs will be gifted to the schools, which in September begin their path to become Blue Schools.

The Sea Beyond Program at Prada's Broadway Epicenter in New York.
The Sea Beyond Program at Prada’s Broadway Epicenter in New York.

Next up for the program is a second photographic exhibition that will take place in early December at the Prada Aoyama Epicenter in Tokyo.

The exhibition at the Prada Broadway Epicenter was designed by the New York-based design studio 2×4, and the photographs will be on display through Monday.

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