A seven-metre-tall sculpture of a monkey towered over Davos last week - serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of the natural world to the global economy.
MonkeyRock: A Species Corner for Nature was both art installation and a focal point for a series of talks by artists, scientists, activists and leaders committed to ensuring nature is not sidelined by world leaders.
The awe-inspiring monument to nature, made from steel and a host of recycled materials, was conceived by Atelier Van Lieshout and Climate Basecamp, supported by the Nature and Climate Impact Team at the University of Exeter.
It was located at Climate Hub Davos along the main promenade, where throughout the week it hosted talks and conversations with figures including business leaders Andrew Forrest and Gail Gallie, philanthropists André and Rosalie Hoffmann, and University of Exeter Vice President and Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Martin Siegert.
At the unveiling event, Professor Gail Whiteman, Hoffmann Impact Professor for Accelerating Action on Nature and Climate, and Founder of Arctic Basecamp and Climate Basecamp, described MonkeyRock as an act of collective courage and a call to action amid collapsing biodiversity, including 103 endangered primate species and subspecies since 2000.
Professor Whiteman said: "By bringing MonkeyRock to Davos, we aim to reconnect decision-makers with the scientific and human realities of biodiversity loss and climate risk, emphasizing the urgency to act now. We want to be a catalyst for positive change."
The title MonkeyRock refers to a Dutch idiom that describes arenas where leaders jockey for status - which could be seen as a metaphor for Davos itself.
Artist Joep van Lieshout said: "To be in a place like the World Economic Forum, where there are so many influential people that can see, can learn and can change the world in a positive way. I think the collaboration between art, culture, nature and science is very important and I think if you are able to twist the messages a little bit you have more success in reaching out to people."
