The United Nations Headquarters in New York is now home to HOMO SARGASSUM, an immersive contemporary art and science exhibition designed to raise awareness about ocean pollution, especially the growing threat of sargassum seaweed.
Open from May 16 to July 11, the exhibition is curated by Vanessa Selk, director of the TOUT-MONDE Art Foundation and former diplomat to the UN.
First showcased at the Museum of Fine Arts at Florida State University, HOMO SARGASSUM now takes center stage at the UN in celebration of World Ocean Month and in alignment with the upcoming 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference, which will be co-hosted by France and Costa Rica in Nice from June 9 to 13. The exhibition urges visitors to reflect on Sustainable Development Goal 14: “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.”
“It is not merely symbolic to present this contemporary art exhibition at the United Nations rather than in a Museum. It is essential today to keep our critical thinking and conversations about our human responsibility in environmental disasters,” said Selk. “Instead of using words and diplomacy at the General Assembly or the Security Council of the United Nations, I now use art to speak up on certain issues, with the support of artists who are similarly concerned.”
Through multisensory experiences, HOMO SARGASSUM explores the widespread environmental, economic, and health impacts of sargassum seaweed that has inundated Atlantic and Caribbean shores since 2011. The exhibition features more than 20 artists from the Caribbean and beyond, including notable names such as Edouard Duval-Carrié, Minia Biabiany, and Alejandro Durán. Highlights include Durán’s large-scale installation crafted from recycled plastic collected on Mexican beaches and a seaweed-based alternative leather dress created by design duo Felder Felder.
The exhibition is part of a broader, multi-year program that includes films, artist residencies, publications, and symposia. It is endorsed by the Permanent Missions of France and Barbados to the United Nations and supported by institutions including the Winthrop-King Institute, Villa Albertine, and Rubis Mécénat.
Public programs include guided tours and artist talks scheduled for May 22 with Billy Gerard Frank and Alejandro Durán, and May 29 with Deborah Jack. Both events are free but require pre-registration.
Admission to the exhibition is free and open to the public with a valid ID and online registration. More information is available at www.tout-monde-foundation.org.
