Nestled on the shores of the Mediterranean, it’s natural that Monaco has once again positioned itself at the crossroads of environmental advocacy and cultural innovation. The Department of Cultural Affairs has unveiled the exhibition “The Ocean of Tomorrow?”, a thought-provoking tribute to our planet’s most enigmatic and endangered ecosystem — the ocean.
Inaugurated on July 8, 2025, by H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince, this landmark exhibition is hosted at the Exhibition Hall on Quai Antoine I and will run until September 7. The opening ceremony was graced by several of the Principality’s key figures, including Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Acting Minister of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; Lionel Beffre, Minister of the Interior; and Françoise Gamerdinger, Director of Cultural Affairs, all gathered to affirm Monaco’s enduring commitment to oceanic preservation.
Art as a Compass for Change
Curated by historian Élodie Antoine, with scenography by designer Thomas Guillaume, “The Ocean of Tomorrow?” is not simply an art exhibition; it is a sensory journey and a cultural wake-up call. With 71 works by 34 artists representing five continents, the exhibit weaves together sculpture, painting, photography, video, drawing, and even embroidery, spanning from the 1990s to today.
Structured into six thematic chapters — The Horizon, Fauna and Flora, Living on the Shore, Taking to the Sea, The Sea in Danger, and Before the Flood, the exhibition challenges visitors to reimagine their relationship with the ocean. Each segment acts as a portal into a different layer of the marine experience, from its natural majesty to the perils it faces due to climate change, pollution, and industrial exploitation.
Art has the power to make visible what we often ignore or forget. This exhibition is about seeing, not just with the eyes, but with responsibility.
Monaco’s Blue Legacy
For the Principality of Monaco, the ocean is more than a backdrop, it is a legacy. Long at the forefront of marine science and environmental diplomacy, Monaco’s leadership has taken shape through events such as the Monaco’s Forum on Blue Economy and Finance and the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference recently held in Nice. These gatherings have underscored the critical intersection of sustainability, policy, and innovation in marine stewardship.
“The Ocean of Tomorrow?” aligns itself with these initiatives, transforming scientific and ecological discourse into a human story through artistic interpretation. It’s a natural continuation of Prince Albert II’s well-documented environmental advocacy, particularly through the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which has invested heavily in ocean conservation and climate resilience.
A Global Conscience in Local Waters
What sets this exhibition apart is its truly global scope. Artists from across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania bring diverse cultural and ecological narratives to the fore. From the delicate beadwork echoing coral bleaching to immersive video installations that plunge viewers into rising tides, the works share a common thread: the urgent need to reconnect with the ocean not as a resource, but as a living, breathing partner in our planetary survival.
Visitors are not merely observers — they are participants. The exhibition’s immersive design, courtesy of Guillaume, uses light, sound, and spatial flow to evoke the sensory reality of marine environments. It’s a call to feel before we act.
Looking Forward, Beneath the Surface
In the Anthropocene — this epoch defined by human impact on Earth — the ocean has become both a symbol and a casualty of our era. “The Ocean of Tomorrow?” does not offer easy answers, but it insists on asking the right questions. What does it mean to take from the sea? What do we give back? How do we ensure there is an “ocean of tomorrow” for future generations?
As Monaco continues to serve as a beacon for environmental diplomacy, this exhibition reminds us that policy must be paired with imagination, and science with soul.
Whether you are a climate activist, an art lover, or simply someone curious about the mysteries of the deep, “The Ocean of Tomorrow?” invites you to stand at the water’s edge and look forward.
Practical Info:
• Exhibition: The Ocean of Tomorrow?
• Venue: Exhibition Hall, Quai Antoine 1 Monaco
• Dates: Until September 7, 2025
• Admission: Free
For more information, visit the official website of the Department of Cultural Affairs Monaco or check local listings.
