A long-standing auction house since 1776, Christie’s has made it a mission to harness its influence in the art market to promote sustainability and foster positive change. Kicking off its Frieze Week marquee auction series, they hosted a 20/21 Art Party to celebrate Blue: Art for the Ocean—a philanthropic initiative with Blue Marine Foundation featuring donated works from 20 artists, with all auction proceeds benefiting Blue Marine.
The initiative stems from Blue Marine’s commitment to the UN’s 30×30 goal of protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, thereby preserving their vital function in stabilising the Earth’s climate.
The celebration brought together a VIP list that included Alicia Vikander, Bianca Jagger, and Raven Smith, alongside cultural figures like Brent Hoberman, Charity Wakefield, and Isamaya Ffrench. Attendees enjoyed live music from London-based jazz singer Joseph Lawrence, while former art dealer and now full-time musician Robin Katz captivated everyone with a special acoustic performance, followed by a set from DJ Nick Hadfield
‘Performance for the Oceans’ by Marina Abramović
Among the 20 artworks submitted, renowned conceptual artist Marina Abramović’s Performance for the Oceans stood out. The piece, a photograph and the first in an edition of three, captures Abramović dressed in a red gown in front of the ocean on Fire Island, New York, where she filmed herself performing in May. As a collaboration between the Serbian artist and Blue Marine Foundation, it reflects Abramović’s unconditional love for the ocean and emphasises that everyone should share in caring for it. During the celebration, attendees watched an exclusive screening of the performance.
Blue Marine Foundation’s CEO Clare Brook and Christie’s Chairman Katharine Arnold stressed the importance of collaborating to raise awareness about the environment, highlighting that the ocean is the Earth’s greatest ally in combating climate change.
Other internationally renowned artists involved in this initiative included Edmund de Waal, Lydia Blakeley, and Jonas Burgert, among others.
London Essence Cocktails
While everyone mingled, they also enjoyed cocktails made by Bar Antoine and Canapés from Michelin-starred Pavyllon London—both from Four Seasons Hotel Park Lane. To complement the drinks, they used mixers from London Essence, a premium brand known for its sophisticated flavour profiles. Each tonic, expertly crafted to pair with any spirit or cocktail gets carefully carbonated and distilled to form layers of citric-centric flavours.
Crisp and refreshing, the Original Indian Tonic Water has bright citrus notes and a hint of juniper, making it ideal for gin-based cocktails. For a more adventurous option, the Pomelo & Pink Pepper combines the sweet sharpness of pomelo with peppercorn’s spicy kick. Other tonics include the Blood Orange & Elderflower with its bold and tangy profile, enhanced with floral notes, while the Grapefruit & Rosemary bursts with invigorating aroma.
Christie’s
Since 1776, Christie’s has become a world-leading art and luxury business, operating in 46 countries across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, offering several services such as art appraisal, art financing, international real estate, and education. Their international sales hubs are located in New York, London, Hong Kong, Geneva, and Paris. In fact, Christie’s auctions feature more than 80 art and luxury categories, with prices ranging from $500 to over $100 million, and they have sold 7 out of the 10 most important single-owner collections in history.
Given the urgency of the climate crisis, Christie’s became the first major auction house to take action in 2021 and adopt more sustainable practices. Their global sustainability strategy follows three key pillars: commit, communicate, and collaborate, ensuring they adhere to these principles through five operational focus areas, including Buildings, Travel, IT, Shipping, and Publishing.
For more information about Christie’s sustainability, please visit this link.
To discover more about London Essence, visit: londonessenceco.com
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All imagery courtesy of Christie’s and London Essence.