From 13 May to 5 September, visitors can admire the underwater photography of Hussain Aga Khan
From 13 May to 5 September, Milan’s Natural History Museum will host The Living Sea, a photography exhibition by Hussain Aga Khan. The exhibition is the result of a collaboration between Marevivo ETS, the environmental foundation dedicated to protecting the marine ecosystem since 1985, and Focused on Nature (FON), founded by Hussain Aga Khan in 2014. This significant partnership is built on a shared commitment to marine conservation and to finding effective solutions to reduce ocean pollution.
The exhibition features 47 stunning underwater photographs by Hussain Aga Khan, photographer, storyteller, and environmentalist, offering museum visitors a captivating look into the extraordinary biodiversity of our oceans.
The Living Sea, promoted by the Municipality of Milan and made possible with the primary support of the Hillary Merkus Recordati Foundation, and with the backing of BanorSIM and Enel, aims to raise awareness of the oceans’ irreplaceable treasures. It calls on the public to recognise the urgent need to protect marine animals and ecosystems.
In this unique collection, Hussain Aga Khan shares his perspective through his lens and storytelling, presenting a kaleidoscope of underwater biodiversity captured in the oceans of Mexico, Egypt, and Polynesia (Tonga and Moorea). Accompanied by video installations by Simone Piccoli, the images portray pods of dolphins and dugongs in the Red Sea, sharks and manta rays in Mexico’s Revillagigedo Islands, and the deep seas of Tonga’s Vava’u Islands, where humpback whales gather each summer to give birth.
Through these photographs, viewers can immerse themselves in the breathtaking diversity of coral reef life: vibrant soft corals, hawksbill turtles, angelfish, butterflyfish, damselfish, scorpionfish, snappers, moray eels, and parrotfish.
The sea, a vital climate regulator, produces more than 50% of the oxygen we breathe and absorbs about one-third of the carbon dioxide generated by human activity. However, it can only perform this essential function if it remains in good health, making respect for and protection of the sea crucial.
The partnership between Marevivo and Focused on Nature stems from a shared commitment and deep passion for marine conservation and for safeguarding the countless species that inhabit the oceans. Together, they aim to promote practical solutions to combat ocean pollution. The Living Sea offers a valuable opportunity to engage the public on today’s environmental challenges and foster dialogue on effective solutions, strengthening global conservation efforts.
Guided tours and educational workshops, organised by Coop-Culture Pleiadi, will offer visitors a chance to explore marine biodiversity in depth, including highlights from the Museum’s own collections. These include Blue Planet, a guided tour exploring the wonders of the ocean (for adults and children aged 8 and over), and The Abyss, a hands-on workshop for families with children aged 6 to 12.
“We’re thrilled to bring this exhibition to Milan, following its stop in Venice in 2022, especially as Marevivo celebrates its 40th anniversary,” said Rosalba Giugni, President of Marevivo Foundation. “Through Hussain’s lens, he is truly a ‘prince of the sea’, we rediscover the depths and beauty of the seabed and the marvellous creatures that inhabit it. This photographic journey is meant to raise awareness about the vital importance of marine ecosystems for human survival, something still too often overlooked. Environmental education has always been our guiding star, and thanks to the ‘Salvamare Law’, championed by Marevivo, environmental education, including study of the sea and rivers, is now part of the curriculum in all Italian schools. It’s crucial that students understand that our health, and that of all living beings, depends on the harmony between the living and non-living world, between humankind and the sea, the central theme of our international campaign ‘ONLY ONE: One Planet, One Ocean, One Health’, created to support the ecological transition.”
“It’s a true joy to partner with Marevivo once again!” said Hussain Aga Khan. “Focused on Nature shares the same values and goals: we believe in the same methods: education, awareness, and advocacy. People don’t protect what they don’t know or don’t care about, yet the ocean is of critical importance to all life on Earth. Collaborating with Marevivo also brings me great personal joy, thanks to my deep affection for Rosalba, my appreciation for her team, and my trust in the great work they’re doing.”
“We are honoured, as the Hillary Merkus Recordati Foundation, to support The Living Sea, an extraordinary event that showcases the beauty of the oceans and the threats that jeopardise their balance,” said Andy Bianchedi, President of the Hillary Merkus Recordati Foundation. “We have long stood alongside Marevivo in protecting the seas, knowing that raising awareness is the first step towards meaningful change. Alongside Hussain Aga Khan, we have been awarded the title of ‘Knight of the Sea’ by Marevivo, and we share their commitment to preserving marine ecosystems. This exhibition is the fruit of that shared mission, blending art and awareness to inspire the public to protect our marine heritage, so that future generations, our children, can continue to enjoy it.”
