This summer, Coya Dubai supports its first CSR initiative to promote sustainability in collaboration with ARTSPACE. From July until the 15th of August, this multi-dimensional Peruvian outlet showcases its first public recycled art display by Ocean Sole and a photographic project ‘Genesis’ by renowned Brazilian photojournalist Sebastio Salgado.

Supported by ARTSPACE, Ocean Sole– a collection of colourful, inspiring and handcrafted animal sculptures conveey an important message about marine conservation to Coya Dubai’s guests. Each artistic piece is created with 100% recycled flip-flops- a symbolic medium representing its hazardous qualities to marine wildlife. The foundation of Ocean Sole also raises awareness to the emerging field of sustainable entrepreneurship as each piece highlights the creativity and resourcefulness of the artists– who hail from the coastal communities of Africa–and their efforts to improve their lives through the re-appropriation of other peoples’ waste.

Coya Dubai hoped that Ocean Sole’s vibrant pieces would be a fitting platform introduce the importance of recycling– by showing the possibilities of using recycled and alternative materials in design—to Dubai’s public.

The project ‘Genesis’ by the social documentary photographer, Sebastio Salgado represents the unblemished faces of nature and humanity. The award-winning photographer travelled an epic, 30 trip expedition in extreme conditions between 2004 and 2011 to capture a series of photographs across landscape, wildlife and indigenous human communities that continue to live in accordance with their ancestral traditions and cultures. The black-and-white photography series is conceived as a potential path to humanity’s rediscovery of itself in nature and showcase the beauty of a still-pristine planet that has so far escaped the imprint of modern society. The UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Salgado depicts the name of the project saying, “some 46% of the planet is still as it was in the time of genesis. We must preserve what exists.”

Set against its main entrance, Coya Dubai showcases his compiled work to visitors, raising awareness to the emblematic message of the piece; reversing the damage done to earth, and driving the importance of preserving it for the future.