Milan, Tokyo, December 11^th, 2024 – Today, the Prada Aoyama Epicenter hosted a Prada Possible Conversation dedicated to SEA BEYOND, a project by Prada Group conducted in partnership with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) since 2019, to raise awareness of sustainability and ocean preservation.

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.

Following the Conversation held at the Prada Broadway Epicenter in New York last May, this iteration once again featured Emmy-nominated environmental photographer and climate artist Enzo Barracco in conversation with Francesca Santoro, UNESCO-IOC Senior Program Officer. They were joined by Meghan Marrero and Joanna Philippoff, representatives of the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA), an organization whose mission is to advance the understanding and protection of marine ecosystems. The experts discussed the urgency of ocean preservation and environmental stewardship and how art and culture can be instrumental in furthering science to spread knowledge and raise awareness with the ultimate goal of inspiring audiences to act.
Ichthyologist SAKANA-KUN gave his contribution to the Conversation through a video message.

Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, commented: “We dedicated two Prada Possible Conversations in New York and in Tokyo to SEA BEYOND with the hope of reaching different audiences and having a greater impact. Conversations were accompanied by the impactful environmental images shot by Enzo Barracco during his expeditions as we believe that photographic art is one of the ways to nurture knowledge, a powerful tool to inspire and enact change.”

The Conversation marked the opening of an exhibition by Enzo Barracco, showcasing images from his expedition in Hawaii and taken from his latest book The Blue on Fire, Hawai’i. Presented during the event, the photographic book captures the beauty and fragility of the islands, contributing to raising awareness of the local biodiversity.
The foreword is written by Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility.

Enzo Barracco, who was named SEA BEYONDer¹ for his proven commitment to ocean preservation, highlighted the importance of photographic art in spreading knowledge thanks to its immediacy and declared: “I hope my work acts as a reminder that it is time to give back, and to fall in love again with our ocean. We are all marine animals, we just forgot.”

Francesca Santoro, UNESCO-IOC Senior Program Officer, commented: “Every photograph tells a story, and the ocean has countless stories waiting to be told. These visual narratives of wonderful yet fragile environments play a vital role in ocean literacy, inspiring meaningful change and urging us to embrace more sustainable practices for generations to come.”

The event was also the occasion to announce Prada Group’s support of educational initiatives in the framework of SEA BEYOND to develop the next generation of stewards for our one ocean.

After a first collaboration with NMEA that has put 16 schools in the Tri-State area on the path to becoming “Blue Schools”², 10 additional schools in Hawaii will now benefit from the same opportunity.

Joanna Philippoff, NMEA Director, said: “Through immersive experiences and place-based action projects, the Hawai‘i Blue Schools initiative will strengthen students' pilina (relationships) and kūleana (sense of responsibility) with the ocean. The SEA BEYOND support will enable us to build students’ ocean literacy while celebrating Hawai‘i's unique biodiversity and rich cultural legacy.”

In Japan, Prada Group will support SD Blue Earth, an association captained by famous ichthyologist SAKANAKUN that works to promote the importance of the ocean among children and younger generations. Thanks to this donation, SAKANA-KUN’s Team – which encourages inquiry-based study for children – will conduct lessons and workshops for kids on the marine ecosystems of Tokyo Bay.

SAKANA-KUN, “captain” of SD Blue Earth, declared: “We hope children can experience firsthand the current state of our seas, rivers, and nature. I believe the best way to learn is by nurturing curiosity, inquiry, and a sense of wonder. With the support of SEA BEYOND in 2025, SD Blue Earth will collaborate with SAKANA-KUN’s Team to achieve the shared goal.”

Enzo Barracco’s photographs will be on display in store through December 29^th, 2024.