Christie’s has always united with impactful charities, and this time, they’ve teamed up with Blue Marine, a leading organization dedicated to ocean conservation and tackling the dire issue of overfishing. Together, they have launched Blue: Art for the Ocean, a philanthropic initiative set to make a splash during Christie’s 20th/21st Century Art Marquee Week sales in October 2024.
Blue Marine is on a mission to combat overfishing and help the ocean maintain its crucial role in stabilizing Earth’s climate. Our oceans are in peril, facing a triple threat of biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and climate change, challenges that jeopardize the health of the ocean, which all life on Earth relies on.
This event coincides with the renowned Frieze Art Fair in London, bringing even more attention to this critical cause. Over 20 world-renowned artists are donating their works for auction at Christie’s 20th/21st Century Art sales to support Blue Marine’s global projects. With 8% of the world’s oceans already protected, Blue Marine is dedicated to the UN’s “30×30” goal, aiming to protect and restore 30% of our oceans by 2030.
A key feature of the collection is a photograph by Marina Abramović, the first of three editions plus two artist’s proofs, captured during a unique performance in May 2024. Shot on Fire Island, New York, Performance for the Oceans (2024) represents a collaboration between Ms. Abramović and Blue Marine. The photograph captures Ms. Abramović channeling her unconditional love and energy towards the ocean, highlighting the critical need for its protection.
The initiative also includes contributions from other acclaimed artists such as Yoshitomo Nara, Edmund de Waal, Lydia Blakeley, and Jonas Burgert.
“My Performance for the Oceans artwork for Blue: Art for the Ocean blends my artistic vision with environmental consciousness. Approximately 70 per cent of our planet is covered in water, yet our oceans are not being looked after properly. I stood on Fire Island in a red dress to give my unconditional love and energy to the ocean. We are all responsible for the ocean, and as a human collective we have more consciousness and energy that we can give to the environment,” Abramović said.
An exhibition of the works of the collection will be showcased at Christie’s galleries in London, aligning with the 20th/21st Century Art view in October.
