The symposium ‘Oh! Is for Oceans’ taking place at Messums West on 5 October 2024 in partnership with Ocean Rising (an alliance connecting the ocean with culture) is dedicated to the understanding of our oceans with leading scientists and experts giving a series of presentations on a range of topics and the latest discoveries. A particular focus will be on art as interlocutor, visualising complex research and refining our understanding of beauty.
Speakers will include: Oliver Steeds (Founder and CEO of Nekton); Professor Heather Koldewey (lead of the Bertarelli Foundation’s Marine Science Programme); Dr Alex Rogers (eminent marine biologist); Dr Helen Scales (writer, broadcaster, oceanographer); Dr Carlie Wiener (SOI’s Director of Communications and Director of the Artist at Sea programme on art and the ocean); Taiji Terasaki (artist based in Hawaii, alumni of the Artist at Sea programme); Max Hooper Schneider (alumni of the Artist at Sea programmed whose practice informed by material technologies and biological systems); Brodie Neil (award-winning artist whose practice highlights issues of Ocean plastics); Mella Shaw (ceramic artist with work focused on the overuse of marine sonar) Julia Lohmann (sculptor constructing work from seaweed) and David Mearns (marine archaeologist and shipwreck expert).
Ocean Rising work with collaborators from all cultural spheres who lead and inspire Ocean awareness-raising interventions in their area of expertise in creative and innovative ways. Each activity increases Ocean awareness in that cultural sector and seeds more interventions. They offer partners access to some of the world’s best marine scientists, incredible underwater imagery, brand exposure, introductions to supporters and, where appropriate, experiences at sea aboard cutting-edge science expeditions. By working together, ripples of Ocean awareness turn into waves.
Symposium Schedule
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
10:00: Arrival and coffee
Morning Session: SCIENCE
10:25: Welcome: Johnny Messum (Director, Messums ORG)
10:30: Keynote introduction Oliver Steeds, Chief Executive, Nekton / Director, Ocean Census
10:50: Professor Heather Koldewey (Lead of the Bertarelli Foundation’s Marine Science Programme)
11:10: Dr Alex Rogers (Director of Science, Ocean Census)
11:30: Dr Helen Scales (Writer, Broadcaster, Oceanographer).
11:50: BREAK
12:10: Panel discussion (Chaired by Oliver Steeds, Chief Executive, Nekton / Director, Ocean Census)
12:30: Audience Q&A
13:00 – 14:30: LUNCH
Lunch session: ART
14:30: Artists and the Ocean Dr Carlie Wiener (Director of Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Artist-at-Sea programme)
14:50: Taiji Terasaki, (Artist based in Hawaii, alumni of Artist-at Sea programme)
15:10: Mella Shaw (Ceramic Artist, work focused on the overuse of marine sonar)
15:30: Brodie Neill (Award-winning Artist, practice highlights issues of Ocean plastics)
15:50: BREAK
Afternoon session: INSPIRATION
16:10: Archeology and discovery David Mearns (Marine Archaeologist and Shipwreck Expert)
16:40: A new coral vision – Tom Dixon OBE (Designer and entrepreneur)
17:00: Keynote speech: Inspiration and action – Lisa Blair (Australian Adventurer- Climate Activist- Multi-World Record Holding Sailor)
17:30 Audience Panel Q&A
18:00 ends
