RA Lates: Cosmic Ocean
Saturday 20 October 2018 7 - 11.45pm
Royal Academy of Arts
£35 – £75
Oceania
Join us for a special RA Late event celebrating contemporary Oceanic culture and the unique natural landscape of the pacific islands, from seas to skies.
Covering nearly one third of the Earth's surface, the pacific ocean is home to hundreds of islands, each with unique cultures and histories. Join us in celebrating these living cultures, from cosmologies and navigation, performance and ritual as well as the vast surrounding ocean.
Think pacific night star-gazing, coral reef drawing, traditional dance performances, street food and cocktail bars, lively talks and discussions plus DJs and music until late.
£35 – £75
Oceania
Night Sky to Deep Sea
7pm - 10.30pm
Step into an underwater wilderness for Oceanic installations, cocktail bars and coral reefs before entering a cosmic real with pacific night star-gazing.
Tropical Flora installation | Wild Renata
Experience underwater reeds and tropical flowers within a series of sculptural installations inspired by the Pacific.
Coral Kingdom sketching | Wild Life Drawing
Drop in workshop where you can create artworks inspired by oceanic artefacts from coral, shells, starfish and more.
Star gazing and deep sea diving | Immersive Theatres Planetariums
Step inside our pop-up planetarium domes for a journey through cosmic constellations as viewed from the Pacific, then dive into the coral reef and deep sea underworld.
Pop-up salon
7pm - 11.45pm
Join us for Pacific Island talks, discussions and dancing.
What Cook Saw | Dr Andrew Brown, Bournemouth University
Archaeologist Dr Andrew Brown introduces the rich tapestry of pre-contact Polynesian cultures before the arrival of Europeans.
LUAU! A Secret History | Dr Kaori O'Connor, UCL
Thanks to writers, Hollywood and the tourism industry, the Hawai'ian luau is one of the best known of all feasts, instantly recognised around the world as the epitome of paradise. Viewed both as an unchanged tradition and the epitome of kitsch, Anthropologist Kaori O'Connor argues that it is neither of these, as she tells the secret history of the luau.
A guide to ocean sailing | Oliver Beardon
Sailor and ocean activist Oliver Beardon from Sail Britain discusses navigation techniques, comparing Oceanic maps to their modern equivalent. The currents which they represent have only recently been better understood as the rise of plastic waste has charted their paths across the ocean. Oliver will describe what we do collectively and individually to protect our oceans.
Pacific Dance Night
8pm – 11pm
Join performing arts groups from across the Pacific to share their traditional dances, while explaining their significance and histories at this unique takeover.
Tahiti and Hawaii | London Hula
Polynesian dance group perform the traditional ‘Ori Tahiti and Hawaiian Hula ‘Auana to ‘breakdown the idea of the dashboard hula doll’ and provide a deeper understanding of Polynesian dance and its cultural history at a series of workshops and performances.
Kiribati | Kiribati Tungaru Association Dancers
Experience traditional Kiribati dances as well as contemporary performances, including Te Bino, Te Buki, Te Kai Matoa and Te Kabuti, with choral and percussion accompaniment.
Soulside DJ set with Emma G
9pm - 11.45pm
Auckland raised ‘liquid queen’ DJ Emma G has toured New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Italy and Slovakia with her soul and bass sets, combining deep introspective sounds with uplifting dance floor smashes. Having become renowned for her signature sound of upbeat and soulful dnb / electronica, she brings a lively 'soulside' set to our Late.
Shakaiah Perez presents 'Exotic Savage: The Decolonisation', a new site-specific film installation
8pm - 11pm
Shakaiah Perez is a multi-disciplinary artist from New Zealand of Afro Polynesian descent who draws from her ethnic heritage, ancestral linkages and experiences as a woman of colour to create art.
This new multi-sensory artwork incorporates poetry, dance, film, installation and participatory performance art to weave together narratives of (de)colonialism while celebrating Perez's layered heritage and the stories of those in her communities.
Created in collaboration with Nikki Shaill / Art Macabre
After-hours private view of 'Oceania'
7.30pm - 10.30pm
Oceania brings together around 200 exceptional works from public collections worldwide, and spans over 500 years. From shell, greenstone and ceramic ornaments, to huge canoes and stunning god images, we explore important themes of voyaging, place making and encounter. The exhibition draws from rich historic ethnographic collections dating from the 18th century to the present, and includes seminal works produced by contemporary artists exploring history, identity and climate change.
Street food stalls and cocktail bars
Enjoy a selection of London's finest street food and cocktail bars, including:
Espresso Cocktails with Beanbag Coffee
A selection of spiced espresso martinis using Beanbag Coffee roasters unique range of flavoured cold blend, from coconut, ginger and turmeric.
Palm Bar by Rum Runner
Enjoy a bespoke menu of Pacific Island inspired cocktails.
Cocktail Car Company
Bespoke menu of Pacific Island inspired cocktails
Libation Station
Serve up a selection of craft beers.
Biff's Jack Shack
Jackfruit BBQ serving up delicious vegan burgers, wings and fries.
Karma Cans
Fresh rice salad bowls.
Kiwi & Roo
Antipodean inspired BBQ dishes
Booking information
Includes:
- Access to all RA Lates curated entertainment, experiences, performances and activities
- Exclusive after-hours private view of Oceania
Sold out
Includes:
- Access to all RA Lates curated entertainment, experiences, performances and activities
- Exclusive after-hours private view of Oceania
Sold out
Includes:
- Access to all RA Lates curated entertainment, experiences, performances and activities
- Exclusive after-hours private view of Oceania
Sold out
VIP – £75
Treat yourself to an extra-special night with our VIP ticket, which includes:
- Glass of champagne in your own secret VIP bar
- Private curators tour of Oceania
- Exclusive access to a VIP art studio for Cosmic Ocean-inspired glitter makeovers, where you can be adorned in sparkles for the night, and a tropical floral wreath making workshop run by florist Lara Sanjar.
- Plus a goody bag of gifts from the RA
Sold out
Dress code: Seas vs Skies
Think cosmic constellations, stars and moons, or alternatively opt for a deep sea creature and get inspired by coral, seaweed and jellyfish. Get creative and be bold!
Check out our Pinterest board for inspiration.
Bombini Studio will also be selling vivid floral headdresses for you to complete your look
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