For Miami Art Week, The Sagamore Hotel will debut its annual exhibition with an opening reception on December 4. On view through February 2020, “I’m Not a Trophy” features the work of artist, photographer, and charity founder Arno Elias and offers an educational experience surrounding endangered species and indigenous cultures.
“We are using this exhibition as a way to bring awareness to the increased threat to the very existence of wild animals due to trophy hunting, poaching and habitat loss from human urbanization,” said Elias. “There is an urgency for social and political change on the topic of killing as a sport and we want to contribute by displaying fine art that depicts the species at most risk if we don’t take immediate action.”
Courtesy of Arno Elias.
The exhibition highlights the beauty of the cultures and species at risk through an immersive display of music, design, photographs, and exclusive video footage. Curated by the hotel’s resident art advisor, Sebastien Laboureau, viewers will find depictions of iconic African animals like elephants and rhinoceros, as well as portraits and artifacts from the African tribes whose livelihood depends on the precarious ecosystem put at risk by poaching and trophy hunting. The show also includes Pascal Blondeau’s installation The Giraffe Lounge, which features a showcase of plush animals situated as if seated at a formal dinner party as reminder of our planet’s current global warming crisis.
Presented in partnership with Markowicz Fine Art, most of the works on view will be available for sale and will donate a portion of the proceeds to Elias’ I’m Not a Trophy charity for the benefit of endangered species.
Arno Elias JUMBO 7
Hand painted photography
Courtesy of the artist.
The Sagamore will host its 18th annual brunch on December 7, featuring a journey through the traditions of African art, music, and dance, along with a live mural painting, featuring South African artist Sonny, Israeli artist Benda, and Louis Masai from the United Kingdom.
