

“In Memory of the Greats” is an initiative designed to raise public awareness about the importance of the noble pen shell species and the challenges of its near extinction.
The exhibition will feature unique artistic interpretations of this largest Mediterranean shell, created from natural materials such as clay, metal, stone, wood, and glass, by nearly 50 international artists. These sculptures will initially be displayed at the Monfort Gallery under the auspices of the Coastal Galleries of Piran, where they will educate and inspire visitors about the importance of this extraordinary species and the consequences of its near extinction.
After the exhibition on land, the sculptures will be placed in the Sea Oasis Piran – our marine farm dedicated to sustainable mariculture and biodiversity conservation. In the sea, the sculptures will serve as substrates for marine organisms, such as the native European oyster (Ostrea edulis). This approach will develop new methods for sustainable marine species farming while restoring habitats similar to natural ones and contributing to ecosystem recovery
The official opening of the exhibition will take place on January 27, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Monfort Gallery, Obala 8, 6320 Portorož – Coastal Galleries of Piran. The official program will last approximately 30 minutes, followed by a tour of the exhibition and a small reception.
The exhibition will be open to visitors from January 22, 2025, to February 9, 2025, between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Due to limited space at the opening, we kindly ask you to register via this online form. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to respond promptly.
Cover photo by Borut Furlan.