The Birds, Bats and Bees by various designers
Around 20 international artists and designers have created habitats for threatened British species from recycled materials for a charity auction to be held in London later this month. Above: Michael Young. Below: Peter Marigold.
Called The Birds, Bats and Bees, the sale takes place on 27 June at auctioneer Phillips de Pury, who have asked the designers to "up-cycle" old auction catalogues and packing materials to create the habitats, which will provide shelter for declining species in the UK.
Above: Tomoko Azumi. Below: Marcus Tremonto
The auction has been organised in conjunction with environmental organisation Adventure Ecology. Below: Rolf Sachs
Here's some info from Phillips de Pury:
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ADVENTURE ECOLOGY AND PHILLIPS de PURY & COMPANY HAVE INVITED INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS TO UP-CYCLE THE AUCTION HOUSE’S WASTE INTO HABITATS FOR BIRDS, BATS AND BEES
THE PROTOTYPES TO BE SOLD AT LONDON AUCTION ON JUNE 27
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
London – May 31 – Phillips de Pury & Company has partnered with Adventure Ecology in an environmental endeavour to cut down the company’s waste in a creative and relevant way. The paper, plastic and wood discarded in the process of packing, moving and installing art works and exhibitions will be up-cycled to ultimately create habitats for the rapidly declining numbers of bird, bat and bee species in urban areas.
The displacement of birds, bat s and bees from their natural habit at in the UK is extremely harmful not only to the animals and insects but also to the sensitive ecological system. Bats, which make up a third of the UK’s mammal population, play a key ecological role as a primary predator, eating thousands of insects each night. Of the 16 species of bat in this country, two are endangered and nine are threatened.
Commissioned by Phillips de Pury & Company and Adventure Ecology, internationally renowned artists, designers and architect s have created bird/bat/bee houses out of the company’s cardboard, crates, invitations and catalogues. These handmade prototypes will be sold at auction on June 27 in London at Phillips de Pury & Company, the proceeds of which will benefit the Sculpt the Future Foundation.
Participants:
Tomoko Azumi
David Austen
Jurgen Bey
Martino Gamper
David Harrison
Stuart Haygarth
Henry Krokatsis
Max Lamb
Peter Marigold
Charles Mason
Mark McGowan
Alex Metcalf
Luis Berrios Negron
Tom Price
Rolf Sachs
Peter Saville
Sir Paul Smith
Michael Sodeau
Raw Edges
Marcus Tremonto
Gavin Turk
Christopher Williams
Michael Young
Each artist has been given specifications for each species’ living requirements, which the designs must comply with in order to be successful habitats.
The three most appropriate designs for manufacturing will be chosen by Adventure Ecology and Phillips de Pury & Company. These will be distributed through high-end premium retailers and museums. The proceeds of the sales will be donated to protect natural habitats.
“We are very excited to support Adventure Ecology and David’s work at educating all of us about making smart decisions every day that can impact upon our environment in a positive way. Phillips de Pury & Company is committed to good design and good art and supports policies that encourage the re-use of natural resources. I hope this small project will grow into a bigger one and inspire our peers in the art world to think about their waste.” – Rodman Primack, Managing Direct or, Phillips de Pury & Company, London.
“We believe that the arts has the ability to captivate, inspire and engage creativity for change. In order to create a sustainable future it will require us all to rethink intelligent design and to rethink innovative resource management and by partnering with Phillips de Pury on ‘The Birds, The Bats & The Bees’ project it is the first pixel in a much bigger picture.” – David de Rothschild, Founder, Adventure Ecology
Notes to Editors:
Adventure Ecology was founded in 2005 by adventurer, environment alist and National Geographic ‘Emerging Explorer’, David de Rothschild. Adventure Ecology promotes respect and responsibility for the Planet, its environment, species and peoples by developing a greater connection with nature and an understanding of one of the Planet’s greatest challenges: Sustainability.
Adventure Ecology under takes expeditions to some of the world’s most dangerous, exciting and environmentally challenged zones, helping people t o share in the wonders of nature and see the devastating effects of global warming on ecosystems.
In addition, Adventure Ecology has an ongoing arts programme, ARTiculate, which involves working with emerging and established international artists, photographers, designers, filmmakers and architects on a range of projects to build awareness about environmental issues, in the UK and internationally, including ongoing exhibitions and an artist in residence programme. As part of this Adventure Ecology takes internationally acclaimed artists and creative thinkers to fragile ecosystems asking them to ARTiculate or respond to what they find, t o create debate amongst a wider public. In 2007, a group of artists including Gabriel Orozco visited Ecuador, specifically Lago Agrio, a chemically polluted area. In May 2008 Adventure Ecology undertakes the next ARTiculate expedition to China.
ARTiculate past solo and group exhibitions include: Waste & The Natural World, Weather Report, Force of Nature, Second Time Around, Ecuador: Block 16, Die Green Live Pretty?, Delirium in Melting, Something there Somewhere and The Fall. To captivate and inspire tomorrow’s thinkers and doers is the ultimate aim of Adventure Ecology.
Viewing dates: June 23 – June 27
Auction June 27
Phillips de Pury & Company
Howick Place
London SW1P 1BB
www.phillipsdepury.com
ONLINE CATALOGUE ONLY – AVAILABLE TO VIEW FROM JUNE 18