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The new SEA BEYOND art installation at Prada’s house in Shanghai has made the historic and cultural heritage of the oceans even more vivid. During the project, the mansion undergoes a transformation where the hotel’s rooms become mirrored, light blue, and waxing and waning in the sense of oceanic culture and knowledge while at the same time highlighting the significance of the oceans that cover 71% of the earth’s surface.
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The sea has taken over the historic residence of the luxury brand Prada in Shanghai, and it is not just the case of a fresh coat of paint. The SEA BEYOND project is a complete artistic immersion of the luxury house. The SEA BEYOND initiative revolves around mixing the notions of art and education in one place where the sea and the cultural heritage are so closely interconnected that you can hardly distinguish one from the other.
The project transforms the deserted areas of the rooms into art installations. The sound of the sea drowns out the silence of the historic rooms. Each room is created as a stop, a moment, a direct interaction with the immense body of water that covers 71% of Earth’s surface. The installation compels the audience to realize the vastness of the oceans. The statistic of 71% is changed from merely a number on paper to a psychological, emotional experience.
In the end, the company described the change on social media with simple yet poetic words. “The vacant areas have become art. The ocean is heard in the silence.” The announcement indicated that the luxurious Prada Rong Zhai is now the blue of the ocean that is exclusively for SEA BEYOND. This is the point where the union of the educational aspect and artistic contemplation takes place. A rare exchange of ideas between ocean literacy and cultural heritage is held in the old structure.
The ocean rooms have transformed every inch of the mansion into a mere exhibit. It is called a halt. A thought. A deliberate action towards the ocean which constitutes 71% of the planet. The project invites a deeper reflection on the fight for the conservation of microbes. It makes the fight for conservation a process that is emotionally and personally interactive rather than just theoretical.
Wonder and commendation were the reactions of the public to the unveiling. A person expressed his great expectation in a comment that simply read, “I will be like you guys someday.” This personification carries the intrinsic desire to have an impact similar to that of the creative and charitable one. It also underscores the fact that the combination of the high-end fashion and the environmental advocacy of Prada has become a powerful source of influence.
The SEA BEYOND program by Prada is an educational initiative created in collaboration with the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. It aims to equip children with the knowledge of the ocean and an environmentally friendly attitude. Hence, the installation at the Rong Zhai is a (very) concrete manifestation of that mission. It is an adventure taking place in a magnificent, immersive atmosphere rather than in a classroom.
The mansion is a carefully restored early 20th-century art house. The restoration team of Prada completed their work in 2011 and since then it has been only accessible for cultural events and exhibitions. The transformation for SEA BEYOND might be the most amazing one that the lounger has ever made. The whole building has been painted in blue, which is the main color of the theme that ties the different rooms and that is boldly and dramatically told throughout the entire structure.
By choosing a site with such immense historical importance, Prada is stimulating an interesting dialogue. It casts into the light of beauty and legacy the urgent and current matter of ocean conservation. The message is clear: Preserving the oceans is the only way to keep our cultural and planetary future. The installation suggests that being an eco-friendly person requires an artistic character. Creativity becomes indispensable for one’s stewardship of the environment to sustain life.
The project succeeds in merging high fashion with art and eco-friendly practices. It presents how luxury brands can turn their power into a global platform for education. The experience is meant to last a lifetime. It does not cease with the classical form of advocacy but rather it tries to forge a bond with the topic that is very strong.
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Prada continues to take advantage of its position in a global mix to address critical global issues through its platform. The SEA BEYOND project at numbered RZ is such a strong demonstration of commitment. It is an invitation to act that is both elegant and thought-provoking at the same time. The blue rooms are a silent yet beautiful reminder of both the loss and the protection that we have to fight for what is at stake. The fusion of art and education here feels both timely and timeless.