FUNDRAISING AUCTION FOR THE BENEFIT OF INSTITUT IMAGINE
AS PART OF MENNOUR INSTITUTE
Launched in 2015, HEROES for Imagine is a fundraising auction of works of art and exceptional moments, for the benefit of Institut Imagine, world leader in research, care and teaching related to genetic diseases.
Every two years, an unforgettable evening is held in the heart of the Imagine Institute, located on the campus of the Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades AP-HP, in Paris.
This initiative rests on the commitment of gallery owner Kamel Mennour, with the support of the auction house Christie’s and Galerie kreo, and the participation of artists, designers and celebrities such as Gad Elmaleh, who are making this auction a tremendous boost to generosity in aid of the Imagine Institute.
On average, around thirty lots are auctioned off during a dinner attended by over three hundred guest donors.
Over four editions, the cumulative amount contributed by the HEROES for Imagine initiative has reached more than €22 million (€3 million in 2015; €4,5 million in 2016; €7,2 million in 2018; €8,2 million in 2022) which have been invested in strategic projects (development of artificial intelligence and data mining) and technology platforms, such as a DNA sequencer for the diagnosis of new genetic diseases.
Whereas today, 1 child out of 2 still leaves the Institut Imagine without a diagnosis and 90% of those diseases have no treatment. Research and development are therefore crucial and bring hope to patients and their families.
In the mid-2010s, the Imagine Institute entered a phase of growth, embodied by the construction of a glass vessel designed by Jean Nouvel and Bernard Valéro. The Institute set out to build new public and private partnerships to raise funds.
When approached, Kamel Mennour decided to get involved, without any preconceived plans. In 2014, to mark the inauguration of the building, the gallery owner donated, with artist François Morellet, a permanent work that symbolised the union between art and science. Created specially for the Institute, the work - 3 neon arcs inclined at 0°, 90° and 45° - was installed in the garden, offering a real breathing space for patients and their families. “Young patients will perhaps see in it the simple figure of a joyful pirouette, and researchers an evocation of the twists and turns of the journey of reflection” imagined the artist François Morellet at the time.
From the discussions between Kamel Mennour, the directors of the Institut Imagine and the director of Christie’s France was born the idea of an exhibition that would be followed by an auction to raise funds.
The result was the first edition of HEROES for Imagine in 2015.
“I knew the Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades AP-HP well, as one of my children had been treated there. So when I was approached by the Institut Imagine, I immediately wanted to give back what the public hospital had given to me. I had no preconceived plans. The only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to get involved. It became vital!”
— Kamel Mennour, President of Mennour and founder of the Mennour Institute
“HEROES for Imagine immediately became for the Institut Imagine an incredible impetus for speeding up scientific discoveries and innovative treatments. The initiative embodies the energy, inspiration, agility, and spirit that have made Imagine a world leader in care and research in this area, bringing it every day closer to its mission: to change the lives of children and families impacted by genetic disease.”
— Stanislas Lyonnet, Director of the Institut Imagine
HEROES for Imagine is an initiative of Kamel Mennour, with the support of Christie’s and Galerie kreo, and the participation of Gad Elmaleh, as Master of Ceremonies.
The fundraising auction is private, by invitation only.
If you wish to contribute, you can donate to support the Institut Imagine at soutenir.institutimagine.org
ABOUT MENNOUR INSTITUTE
The Mennour Institute aims to promote creativity, knowledge and the sharing of expertise in the field of modern and contemporary art.
Through doctoral fellowships, educational and support programs, and philanthropic activities, Mennour Institute is determined to play an active role in encouraging the sharing of twentieth and twenty-first century art with all.
Mennour Institute was created in September 2023. It develops and enriches the educational and philanthropic activities of Mennour and its founder, Kamel Mennour.
ABOUT INSTITUT IMAGINE
World leader in research, care and teaching on genetic diseases, the Institut Imagine’s challenge is twofold: to diagnose and to cure. It brings together 1000 of the best clinicians, researchers and healthcare personnel in an architecture, designed by Jean Nouvel and Bernard Valéro, that creates synergies between teams. This continuum of expertises, combined with proximity to patients and the support of patrons, allows Imagine speed up discoveries for the benefit of patients. Every day in France, 64 babies are born with a genetic disease. Nearly, 8,000 genetic diseases affect more than 3 million people in France, of whom almost one in two has no diagnosis and more than 8 in 10 have no dedicated treatment.