Sir Ben Okri marks the launch of Vital Signs: another world is possible

King's Alumnus Sir Ben Okri joined guests, artists and members of press as part of a day of launch events for Vital Signs: another world is possible, a new exhibition at Science Gallery London, on Guy's Campus.

Vital Signs brings together artists, designers with researchers from across King's to explore how the health of the natural world - from our waterways to our atmosphere and the ocean floor - is intimately connected to our own health and wellbeing.

This new exhibition, from King's Culture, aims to counter fear and paralysis around climate change by introducing a space to rest and reflect and to be inspired by the actions of others working together to shape more liveable, hopeful futures.

Ahead of the public opening, members of the press received a tour of the exhibition, speaking to artists including Gayle Chong Kwan, whose installation 'I am the Thames, and the Thames is me' was developed through innovative experimentation and transformative environmental research, working with King's College London academics.

The tour concluded with a performance of Ben Okri's 'I Sing the Spirt Fantastic', a poem that speaks to the power of nature; the wind, tide and sun that could transform our energy systems and inspire new ways of living in relation to the natural world.

Artists Ackroyd & Harvey have grown this poem into living skins of seedling grass, which are displayed prominently in the exhibition, offering visitors chance to reflect as they enter the building and then ascend into the main gallery.

The visualisation of these words presents the climate crisis as - in part - a crisis of the imagination and our perception of our personal connection to nature.

The King's Culture team also welcomed over 250 guests into Science Gallery London for a private view, following speeches from Executive Director of Culture, Beatrice Pembroke, Professor Funmi Olonisakin Vice President (International, Engagement & Service), Science Gallery London Head of Programming Jennifer Wong, Producer Laura Purseglove, Change Collective member Saifeddine Benamar, artists Ackroyd & Harvey and Gayle Chong Kwan.

I Sing the Spirit Fantastic, 2024, by Ackroyd & Harvey with Sir Ben Okri and all other installations can be viewed at Science Gallery London, in Vital Signs: another world is possible until 17 May 2025.

Science Gallery London is a place to grow new ideas across art, science, and health. It is King's College London's flagship public space that brings together artists, academics, researchers, students and local communities and part of King's Culture.

Photographs by George Torode.