An estimated 11 million tons of plastic waste enters the oceans annually, threatening the immediate and long-term health of the oceans, environment and humanity. The interconnected crises of plastic pollution, climate change and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic underscore the urgent need for action, solutions and a global paradigm shift.

The art industry has a unique ability to reach a global, cross-cultural and diverse audience to drive environmental activism and change. Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and a parallel surge in pollution from single-use plastics, the art world has experienced a disruption to its usual calendar of events. This offers the chance for all to collectively reflect on the industry’s environmental impact and the need to prioritize climate-conscious decision making.

To highlight innovative ways the art world can use digital tools to reduce their carbon footprint and the industry’s environmental impact, Parley – the global network of creators, thinkers and leaders raising awareness for the beauty and fragility of the oceans – is collaborating with 12 global contemporary art galleries and the extended reality (XR) platform, Vortic, to launch the Parley Collective.

Each participating gallery in the Parley Collective will donate between 5-10% of the proceeds from its virtual exhibition to support Parley’s Global Cleanup Network, which operates in over 28 countries.

Galleries in the Parley Collective include: Sadie Coles HQ, Corvi-Mora, Kasmin, Sean Kelly, KÖNIG GALERIE, Andrew Kreps, Victoria Miro, PACE, Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Sprüth Magers, Almine Rech, and Esther Schipper.⁠⠀

The works can be viewed in 3D by downloading the Vortic Collect app on your iPhone or iPad.

Parley will host a series of curator-led virtual tours, panel discussions and talks throughout the Collective. The project represents the vital role of the art industry in environmentalism, and the ever-growing need for galleries to prioritize climate-conscious decisions that initiate eco-innovative and carbon neutral protocols.

Join the conversation on Twitter following @parleyforoceans #PARLEYCOLLECTIVE. To find out more visit www.parley.tv

***Featured image: Julian Charrière, Towards No Earthly Pole