The World Is an Island brings science and poetry performance together to promote climate action

‘The World is an Island’ is a collaborative project between Hot Poets and Islands and Coastal Research Lab (ICL), creatively exploring the challenges and potential of island nations, some of the most at-risk communities on the planet. Hot poets (Liv Torc and Chris Redmond) worked closely with Catalina Spataru to understand and creatively communicate her work and of her lab. A series of new spoken word commissions written by them, poetically exploring islands as laboratory, climate change adaptation, resilience, and survival - focusing on the importance of a systemic approach to water, energy, food, materials and land.

Part of this, ‘The World is an Island’ event at grant Museum of Zoology,  was a transformative 90-minute adventure into science fact and poetry power. 

The show combined a 3D modelling, participation and spoken word, along with contributions from scientists and children from Thomas Tallis school. 

This event is part of Performing Planet Activism, a series of interactions, performances and dialogues at UCL that bring together artists, activists, researchers and communities engaged in climate activism.

The 3D model was developed and designed by ICL, and it was printed at the Bartlett School of Architecture’s Manufacturing and Design Exchange (B-made) using SLS PA2200 (nylon).

The event was part of Performing Planet Activism, a series of interactions, performances and dialogues at UCL that bring together artists, activists, researchers and communities engaged in climate activism.

Find our more about the performance.

About UCL Islands and Coastal Research Lab

The Islands and Coastal Research Lab (ICR) is a unique initiative that aims to assess complex systems, deliver cutting edge interdisciplinary research, and provide sustainable solutions for islands nations and coastal areas under different climatic conditions. The ICR Lab has been established by Professor Catalina Spataru, providing scientific research through development of mixed methods, mathematical models and stakeholders’ engagement processes in the field of global resource use and at the intersection of blue-green economy to inform decision-making within governmental and non-governmental institutions across the globe.