JUMBO SUMMER AS ELEPHANT PARADE VISITS THREE COUNTRIES

For the first time, Elephant Parade - the worldwide public art phenomenon raising awareness of and financial support for global elephant conservation - is set to be live in three different countries at the same time. Elephant Parade today launches its first exposition in China. Elephant Parade is also making its third visit back to London and is launching it’s first public art exposition in France.

France

Calais this week has launched the first Elephant Parade exposition of 2015, ahead of further groundbreaking expositions taking place later this year in Brazil and Thailand.

Twenty-one decorated life-size elephant statues will brighten the streets and historic landmarks of the City of Calais for the 13-week exposition that runs until the 20^th of September 2015. As Elephant Parade nears it’s 10^th anniversary, the Calais exposition will feature a mix of designs by local French artists (such as Agnes B), regional art creations (from MECCANO, the Art School and Jank) and also celebrate Elephant Parade’s global creative footprint.

Some top designs from previous Parades from Milan (2011) The UK national tour (2013-14) and Hong Kong (2014) will also make a return appearance - for the first time allowing people to enjoy the best elements of multiple Elephant Parades in one place.

UK

This month Elephant Parade is also making a cameo appearance in London, adding support to Elephant Family’s “Travels To My Elephant” exposition. This is a global autorickshaw race, presented by Quintessentially Foundation and Elephant Family, to save Asia’s magnificent elephants. Backed by Selfridges, the campaign sees a 20-strong fleet of intoxicating high colour autorickshaws take over London’s roads this summer before racing to the world’s most famous elephant in India.

Supporting the initiative, a giant 10 ft Elephant Parade statute called Tara can be found in Duke of York Square. Alongside Tara will stand a baby model elephant, Ella - children will be invited to submit their own design for Ella the elephant, the winner of which will be painted by a leading artist onto Ella for all of London to see.

In addition, an Elephant Parade store has opened at Selfridges, allowing members of the public to purchase miniature hand-painted replicas of some of the top designs that have featured at Elephant Parade events around the world, including Hong Kong 2014, the UK national tour presented by intu from 2013-14, California 2013, and Luxemburg 2013, and London 2010.

Further, Elephant Parade will be supporting the work of Elephant Family by adopting it as a beneficiary charity for proceeds raised by a number of Elephant Parade’s auctions around the world in the next year.

China

Marking what will be the 16th Elephant Parade since 2006, Shin Kong Place Suzhou in China today launches an Elephant Parade exposition that will run from 24^th June until the 27^th of September 2015.

The event will feature 42 elephant designs that have been designed by prominent designers, public figures and artists including: Lu Jianxing, a contemporary Chinese potter; Wu Yin, an artist who was born in Suzhou and lives in the UK; Peter Zhao (Zhao Shenda), an artist who transcends boundaries – and Republic of Art, a well-known artist group.

Mike Spits, Founder and CEO at Elephant Parade commented: “We are excited by the new Elephant Parade expositions in France and China as they represent debut appearances in new countries for us. As with our previous Elephant Parades, we hope to raise awareness of elephant conservation issues through the Parades, to engage young people in art workshops, to introduce new artistic talent to a broader community – and through a number of auction events to raise money to support the work of a number of elephant conservation charities. To this end, we are delighted to have added Elephant Family as a beneficiary partner charity for the next year.”

“We are also delighted to be returning to London to support Elephant Family’s summer event. We came into this current project quite late in the day but we were keen to play a part and help our friends at Elephant Family. The giant elephant at Duke of York Square allows us to remember the excitement created by the 2010 London Elephant Parade and, more important, the passionate work of Mark Shand in fighting for the future of the Asian elephant. Our London event with Elephant Family in 2010 still lives in many people’s memories and our subsequent 2013-14 UK tour with intu started in London in 2013 and allowed us to connect with a national audience. It’s an exciting summer for Elephant Parade – returning to familiar places and starting new adventures. We would like to thank all the artists and partners that have made this summer’s events possible – and we hope our brightly decorated art elephants will bring smiles to millions of people around the world.”