Conservation organization Parley for the Oceans has joined forces with art-based extended reality (XR) platform Vortic for the launch of its latest project, Parley Collective. Launching last Friday, Parley Collective is a virtual exhibition series accessible through the Vortic Collect app, conceived to raise funds for global ocean protection initiatives.
While the average amount of plastic waste collecting in the ocean is estimated to be about 11 million tons in a typical year, the amount of single-use plastic waste created during the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased—the result of an influx in disposable PPE and excessive packaging from food delivery and e-commerce shipping. Coming to this realization, Parley and Vortic called the art community to action in order to combat the detrimental effects of trash in our oceans.
Karl Horst Hödicke, “schwarze Tulpen,” 1992, polyester resin on canvas, 59 x 74 3/4 x 3/4 inches; courtesy of the artist.
Live through November 2, Parley Collective’s virtual exhibition model highlights methods for the art community to reduce its environmental footprint while ensuring viewers can experience exhibitions safely, anywhere in the world. A percentage of proceeds from works sold by each gallery is donated back to Parley’s Global Cleanup Network, which oversees the removal of plastic waste and the development of programs for education and eco-innovation in 28 countries worldwide.
“At Parley, we believe the creative community has a strong ability to help create change. With the current fragile state of the world, there is an urgent need for action,” said Cyrill Gutsch, Founder and CEO of Parley for the Oceans. “It’s a true collaborative effort and a true testament for the desire to end this era of destruction and begin a new era of creativity.”
James Casebere, “Yellow House on Water,” 2018, framed archival pigment print mounted to dibond paper, 44 x 66 3/4 inches; © James Casebere, Courtesy of the artist and Sean Kelly, New York.
Partners in Parley Collect include 12 galleries presenting the work of 50 artists, like Sean Kelly presenting Hugo McCloud, Landon Metz, and Sam Moyer; Pace with Yin Xiuzhen; Victoria Miro showing Elmgreen & Dragset and Celia Paul; Bosco Sodi, Theodora Allen, and Elliott Puckette with Kasmin; and Andrew Kreps Gallery presenting works by Ricci Albenda, Roe Ethridge, Moshekwa Langa, and Hito Steyerl.
