by Heather Sullivan
Nearly 800 guests, including several television, music and theater stars walked the "white carpet" at The Humane Society of the United States' and Nigel Barker's New York City gallery opening of "A Sealed Fate?"—a photography and film exhibit documenting the lives of baby harp seals killed during the planet's largest marine mammal slaughter.
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| Nigel Barker took photographs to celebrate seals. ©The HSUS |
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The exhibit featured photographs and documentary film shot by Barker, a world-renowned photographer and judge on "America's Next Top Model."
Barker snapped the images earlier this year while joining The HSUS on the ice in Atlantic Canada.
Up Close and Personal
The HSUS team makes twice-yearly trips to the harp seal nursery during the harp seal and commercial hunts. Images Barker took from the hunt capture the lives of the innocent baby seals hunters target each year on the beautiful Canadian ice floes.
"This exhibit is a celebration of the seals' lives, what they are, and their transformation during their short life. I want to bring a spotlight to show people what they look like, right up until they die, so people realize what we are losing," Barker said.
Among the celebrities who attended the July 24 opening were "Project Runway" season four winner Christian Siriano and contestant Kevin Christiana; "America's Next Top Model" winners Whitney Thompson and Jaslene Gonzalez; actress Tatyana M. Ali and Survivor: The Amazon winner and active HSUS supporter Jenna Morasca and her boyfriend Survivor: Africa winner Ethan Zohn.
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| HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle addresses a packed room at the seals exhibit in NY.© The HSUS |
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As a designer who refuses to use fur or leather in his collections, Siriano said he was happy to support Barker and the ProtectSeals campaign at this event.
Color of Innocence
In an effort to replicate the serene nature of the ice floes housing the harp seal nursery, the celebrities walked on a white carpet instead of the traditional red carpet.
The gallery was decorated in white and the guests were asked to wear white. In keeping with the ambiance, guests also snacked on white Yolato popsicles.
The nearly 800 guests dined on vegetarian treats supplied by Michael Wurster, chef of Icon restaurant in New York City. Wurster recently joined the ProtectSeals boycott of Canadian seafood.
Cheeky Monkey Jewelry designer Simon Cardwell debuted a special line of jewelry that features a seal. The jewelry, which is being offered in honor of the ProtectSeals campaign, was for sale during the exhibit, and is now available at www.cheekymonkeyjewelry.com.
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Famed fashion photographer
Nigel Barker discusses the
inspiration for his NY baby
seals exhibit.© The HSUS |
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Letting the Images Speak
"This exhibit beautifully captures the miracle on ice that occurs each spring on the coast of Atlantic Canada," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS.
"These baby seals and their mothers just wanted to be left alone in this open-air nursery, but people with selfish and cruel intentions execute the mass slaughter of these helpless creatures.
I am forever grateful to Nigel and his team for their dedication in exposing this ruthless slaughter."
The free, public exhibit was held from July 25 to July 27 from noon to 6 p.m. each day at 401 Projects, 401 West Street, New York, NY 10014-2569. Barker led group tours of the photographs at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
While the documentary does contain some graphic footage, the photos in the exhibit celebrate the beauty of the seals and their environment.
For more information on the seal hunt and our boycott of Canadian seafood click here»
