Prada Rong Zhai Welcomes SEA BEYOND: A Journey Through Ocean, Art, And Innovation

Prada Rong Zhai, the historic residence restored by the Prada Group in the heart of Shanghai, has become the stage for SEA BEYOND, the Group’s visionary educational program dedicated to ocean preservation.

For ten days, the elegant mansion opens its doors to the public with an immersive program of activities designed to inspire a deeper connection between humanity and the ocean—uniting art, science, and environmental responsibilityunder the Prada banner of cultural excellence.

A Dialogue Between Art and Science

At the heart of the exhibition lies the Ocean&Climate Village, an immersive and interactive science experience created by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. Making its second stop in China after Qingdao, the exhibition transforms Prada Rong Zhai’s grand Ballroom—illuminated by its spectacular stained-glass skylight—into a dynamic educational landscape.

Visitors are guided through themes of marine biodiversity, ocean acidification, rising sea levels, and the impact of human actions. Highlights include:

• UpSeaDown, illustrating ocean expansion due to global warming

• Feel the Change, a tactile installation comparing natural and acidified ecosystems

• Virtual Reality experiences offering immersive dives into SEA BEYOND’s ongoing initiatives

Supported by the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO) and the UN Ocean Decade Collaborative Centre (DCC-OCC), the installation seamlessly adapts to China’s local context, emphasizing the importance of cross-cultural collaboration in sustainability education.

Enzo Barracco’s Lens on a Changing Planet

On Prada Rong Zhai’s fourth floor, Emmy-nominated photographer and climate artist Enzo Barracco presents a powerful selection of images captured during expeditions to Antarctica, the Galapagos, Hawaii, and Alaska—the latter unveiled for the first time.

His photographic narrative celebrates the fragile majesty of marine environments, revealing the delicate interplay between beauty and vulnerability. “If you see, you care. If you see, you act,” Barracco reflects, underscoring the profound emotional power of visual storytelling in shaping climate awareness.

Open-Air Cinema in the Garden

In Prada Rong Zhai’s tranquil garden, guests are invited to attend open-air screenings of SEA BEYOND documentaries, including “Kindergarten of the Lagoon” and “Deep White Forests.”

Both films highlight SEA BEYOND–supported projects that merge education, research, and ecological discovery—from outdoor learning initiatives in Venice to the revelation of black coral colonies off the coast of Sicily.

Thematic Talks: Building Bridges Between Disciplines

A series of livestreamed conversations on Tencent Channels brought together leading figures from science, art, and academia.

• Ocean Literacy and Global Collaboration
  

Speakers such as Dr. Fangli Qiao, Francesca Santoro (IOC UNESCO), and Philip Tinari (UCCA Center for Contemporary Art) explored how interdisciplinary dialogue can advance sustainable ocean stewardship.

“The ocean sustains life on Earth,” said Dr. Qiao. “It is essential for sustainable development—and collaboration across sectors, including the arts, helps us communicate that truth.”

• Emotions, Storytelling, and Ocean Protection
  

Japanese ichthyologist and artist SAKANA-KUN joined Titouan Bernicot, founder of Coral Gardeners and SEA BEYOND Goodwill Ambassador, in a spirited conversation about the emotional language of ocean education.

• Photography’s Role in Climate Awareness
  

Enzo Barracco returned to discuss the communicative power of still imagery with Francesca Santoro, emphasizing the ability of beauty to move audiences toward action.

Education Through Creativity: Workshops for the Next Generation

Children took part in hands-on workshops combining art, science, and ocean awareness—from exploring pollution and marine ecosystems to storytelling sessions led by SAKANA-KUN himself.

Among the participants were students from Guizhou, an inland Chinese province, experiencing the seaside for the first time through SEA BEYOND. Their journey symbolizes the initiative’s broader mission: to bridge distances—geographic and cultural—through education and imagination.

A Luxury Landmark for Cultural Dialogue

By hosting SEA BEYOND, Prada Rong Zhai reaffirms its role as a cultural landmark where luxury, art, and environmental consciousness converge. The project aligns seamlessly with Prada’s broader commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, echoing past initiatives like the Prada Re-Nylon project and the Fondazione Prada’s cultural programming.

Reservations are available via the “Prada Rong Zhai” WeChat Mini Program. Admission is free upon reservation.