The Droplet and Lola Tillyaeva's Interest in the Environment

 Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva is passionate about the environment. With husband, Timur Tillyaev, she is determined to heighten public awareness about the dangers associated with water scarcity. To achieve this objective Lola Tillyaeva decided upon an ambitious and innovative stratedy – she would reach people through art.

          “I believe that art has an incredible capacity to inspire, encourage and unite people around a cause, due to its ability to touch the human soul. That is why we harness the power of art as a means to raise public awareness of issues relating to global warming and climate change.”

          (https://tillyaev-karimova.com/the-droplet/).

 

Inspired by this vision, The Droplet was born. Constructed of polished aluminum tubing, The Droplet stands 12 meters high and reaches 6 meters at the base. Forming a stylized droplet of water, the sculpture also acts as a free-standing installation designed to shroud itself in a fine vapor mist - “a unique multisensory art installation,” (https://tillyaev-karimova.com/the-droplet/)

 

The Droplet is certainly an attention grabber. Created by a team led by artist, Marcos Lutyens and fabricator, Scott Froschauer from the Institute for Art and Olfaction, it turns heads everywhere it goes. This is precisely the point. In Lola Tillyaeva’s own words, “by engaging the participants through sound, smell and touch as well as visually, The Droplet naturally opens the way for discussions on water conservation and management.” (https://www.lolakarimova.com/the-droplet ).

 

That Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva would feel a deep concern for the issue of water scarcity is no surprise. Her maison de parfum, The Harmonist, is built around Feng Shui and its philosophy of balancing the energies of Earth’s five elements. She displays a further commitment to the environment by ensuring that, “recyclable materials at every possible touchpoint, from perfume bottles and deluxe packaging to the vegetal wax candles,” (https://www.theharmonist.com/pages/philosophy). Lola Tillyaeva has also made refills available for every product across the range, a practice which serves to lessen the ecological footprint of her enterprise. Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva proves that genuine concern for the environment does not have to come at the expense of business best-practice.

 

Water scarcity is undeniably one of the most pressing challenges face by the global community. The UN see it as a primary concern given that it affects all continents and is worsening at a rate faster than global population growth. At worst, “some regions are even reaching the limit at which water services can be sustainably delivered,” (https://www.unwater.org/water-facts/scarcity/). Armed conflict can be one direct consequence of this problem can be conflict. Termed, ‘water conflicts’, they are an increasing feature of international relations, (https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2019/11/18/whatever-happened-to-the-water-wars). Clearly, water scarcity is an urgent issue.

 

After an initial unveiling at a major event in Paris, The Droplet is going to tour other European cities such as Barcelona. Everywhere it goes the installation encourages debate and inspires action. A subtle, eye-pleasing means of opening hearts and minds to an urgent issue, it’s also a manifestation of Lola Tillyaeva’s deep commitment to her goal of, “respecting the environment with every nuance of their activity”, (https://www.lolakarimova.com/the-droplet).