In a star-studded evening that combined elements of glamour with goodwill, the final auction of the 2010 "Bijoux" Eco Art Parade – a stunning collection of 35 pieces of jewellery inspired by the Saker Falcon of the UAE and the Calao Hornbill of Asia – succeeded in raising nearly two million dirhams for eco conservation and humanitarian causes.
The exclusive sunset event hosted on November 13 at Nurai Island was held under the High Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and saw 500 of the world's most prominent philanthropists, royalty and celebrities including the likes of Sir Richard Branson, Baroness Marianne Branstetter, Countess Esther de Pommery, Massimo Feragamo, Ramzan Akhmadovich Kadyrov President of Chechniya, Isabel Kristensen, Baronness Marianne Brandtstetter and several leading Formula One drivers including David Coulthard who has won the formula 1 Gran Prix 13 times in his illustrious career.
The auction which was conducted by Sotheby's Deputy Chairman (Europe) Lord Poltimore, and sponsored by Una Energy and The Farjam Collection will donate all of its proceeds to five charitable organizations: The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, BirdLife International, The Una Energy Children's Fund, The Hafiz Foundation and a charity foundation from the UAE which His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan is yet to announce.
"We couldn't have hoped for a better finale to the 2010 Eco Art Parade than Abu Dhabi," said Angela Van Wright, Co-Founder of Eco Art International, the organisers of the event. "The interest and generosity demonstrated and the high-profile of the attending guests succeeded in raising the funds and awareness desired to achieve our objective of promoting sustainable development through artistic means. We thank the creators of these remarkable and unique pieces of jewellery, as well as their proud new owners for helping us achieve this event's charitable goals."
With all of the invitation-only guests arriving at Nurai Island by sea aboard luxury yachts, and by private helicopters, the journey to the exclusive venue set the tone for the evening's program. Highlights included a beachside cocktails and canapés reception enjoyed to the sound of lounge tunes played by an acclaimed DJ, followed by the auction. The evening also featured music by other famous DJs who entertained guests well into the early hours of the morning.
Nadia Zaal, Co-Founder and CEO of Zaya, the boutique luxury real estate developer of Nurai Island, said the event coming to Abu Dhabi, and to Nurai Island itself, further boosts the city's credentials as growing hub of global merit. "Abu Dhabi has the ambition, the resources and the vision to grow its reputation as a world-class destination and we are proud to contribute to raising the city's profile further through hosting an event of international repute such as the 2010 "Bijoux" Eco Art Parade" Gala Auction."
The 2010 "Bijoux Eco Art Parade" is organised by Eco Art International which is an organization based in the Principality of Monaco that conceives and promotes artistic exhibitions that associate art with ecological concerns and sustainable development. The organization hosted its first exhibition in 2008 for the United Nation's Environmental Summit meeting in Monaco. In 2009, the organization conceived the idea of adopting the theme of endangered birds and the first Eco Art Parade was born with the Mediterranean Bonneli Eagle serving as the exhibition's inspiration.
This year, Eco Art International chose the Saker Falcon of the UAE and the Calao Hornbill of Singapore as the two endangered species of birds inspiring the theme for the 2010 "Bijoux" Eco Art Parade. The elegant birds were fashioned into 35 intricate one-of-a-kind jewels by 32 international jewelers and designers including the likes of Pomellato, Carlo Cerlati, David Shilling, Milena Zevu, MCL, and Kenzo. The Abu Dhabi auction marks the culmination of an artistic event that has travelled across the globe from Monte Carlo to Abu Dhabi via Singapore and Tokyo.
