COAL Art and Sustainability
The Coalition for art and sustainable development (COAL) was set up in France in 2008 by professionals in contemporary art, sustainable development and research. Trailblazing and cross-cutting, COAL is working to promote a new generation of artists focusing on environmental and societal issues, in partnership with cultural spaces, NGOs, scientists and the business world.
In a multidisciplinary and innovative spirit, COAL mobilizes artists and cultural operators on social and environmental issues and supports the creation of artworks, creating awareness and implements concrete solutions through exhibitions, events, the COAL Prize Art Environment, and intelligence resources.
These connections between culture, art, ecology and sustainable development are the core subject of an dynamic international collboration in which COAL participates as the French partner. Through its work, COAL is helping to foster a culture of ecology.
COAL supports the vital role of culture and creation for taking stock and then rolling out concrete solutions. Through its work, COAL is helping to foster a culture of ecology. COAL organises contemporary art exhibitions about the environment, including the COAL Prize Art and Environment, and gathers international reports on the link between art and sustainable development via its unique alert service in France.
COAL is part of an international network of artists, actors and projects on culture and sustainable development. The links connecting art, culture, ecology and sustainable development now form a true global dynamic, as shown by the strong artistic presence at COP 15.
As the first and only French initiative in this field, COAL benefits from privileged networks and excellent visibility. COAL’s work is supported and promoted by MEEDDM, which funded the ‘Naturel Brut‘ exhibition, and the Ministry of Culture and Communication, of which the National Centre of Fine Arts is a partner of the COAL prize.
TEAM AND FOUNDERS
Lauranne Germond, Co-Founder and Director (COAL) / Associate Curator at Domaine de Chamarande / Exhibition Curator specialized in sustainable development / Former Associate and co-Director of Nuke magazine art gallery and design office / Former project for MPG Art / Degree in Art history (Louvre).
Maëva Blandin, Production Manager PO / Graduate Professional Master Arts and Crafts Exhibition, Rennes University.
Loïc Fel, co-Founder (COAL) / Philosopher / BETC’ Sustainable Development Director / Author of “L’Esthétique Verte” (Champ Vallon, 2009) / Doctor of Philosophy Paris -Sorbonne on aesthetics and ecology.
Agathe Utard, co-Founder (COAL) / Landscape Gardener / Philosopher / Consultant in sustainable development and social innovation / Former head of strategic projects of Fédération des conservatoires botaniques nationaux / Asia Project Manager for Cécile Léon art projects / Master’s degree in philosophy, Paris1 – Sorbonne / Master of Geopolitics, HEI-Paris / Master of Landscape, Uni-Genève.
Clément Willemin, co-Founder (COAL) / Landscape Gardener DPLG / Partner and manager of BASE Agency / Visual artist (decorative arts ENSAAMA Olivier de Serres).
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Déborah Sommers, with over 25 years experience as a graphic designer and art director, in the US, Hong Kong and Paris, deborah Sommers runs Outdoorz Gallery. The graphic look to many of the pieces reflects her own style which leans towards clean modern lines, quirky original designs, and recycled or sustainable materials when possible. Her graphic sensibility is aslo reflected in the web site and communication materials which play an integral role in the running of the gallery.
Anaïs Roesch, is graduated from the Institut Etudes Politiques de Grenoble. She is interested in issues related to culture and ecology in an international perspective and has had occasion to work in Latin America with the Ministry of Culture and UNESCO, in Bolivia or with people Native to Chile. She searches to link art and politics around issues of contemporary society. She is currently responsible for the development of mediation actions hors-les-murs to Centre Pompidou.
COAL was set up in France in 2008 by Alice Audouin, Loïc Fel, Lauranne Germond, Guillaume Robic, Agathe Utard and Clément Willemin.
