Ruby Wax to begin consciousness events programme in Oxford

Adventures in Consciousness is an initiative by The Cultural Programme and University of Oxford's Medical Humanities academics featuring more than 20 events from October 10 to December 1.

The programme will see University of Oxford academics, world-leading specialists, and artists exploring topics such as planetary consciousness, human flourishing, the link between creativity and health, sleep, and perception.

The event will feature five symposium days, each dedicated to a different theme – sleep, perception, health, flourishing, and the planet.

These symposiums will consist of talks, panel discussions, workshops, and creative activities.

The season will start with Ruby Wax's one-woman show, 'I'm Not as Well as I Thought I Was', on Thursday, October 10, at the Oxford Playhouse.

After sell-out shows in New York, Sydney, and Cannes, Oxford will host the UK premiere of Evolver, a VR experience by Marshmallow Laser Feast, from October 25 to November 14.

Evolver's unique journey is narrated by Cate Blanchett with music by Jon Hopkins and Oxford's Jonny Greenwood.

A 90-minute cinematic presentation of pianist Max Richter's Sleep will also be followed by a conversation with Mr Richter.

British photographer Tim Flach will present his exhibition, More Than Human, featuring animal portraits exploring the link between animal and human consciousness.

The season will conclude on November 29 with a performance by poet Lemn Sissay, who will perform excerpts from his memoir, My Name is Why.

Lemn Sissay (Image: PA) Professor Erica Charters, academic lead at the Medical Humanities Network, University of Oxford, said: "The Medical Humanities Network at the University of Oxford are delighted to partner with the Cultural Programme on the Adventures in Consciousness Season, which draws on medical humanities to showcase an exhilarating range of events on the theme of consciousness."

Other highlights will include the return of the Museum of Consciousness to Oxford, a 21st Century Tea Dance hosted by Kit Green, and a performance by spoken word collective Hot Poets at Oxford’s Museum of Natural History.

Josie Bamford, executive producer of the Cultural Programme, said: "We’re so excited to present the Adventures in Consciousness season – a programme of incredible artists and creatives coming together with world leading thinkers to explore consciousness through a range of lenses including sleep, health, flourishing, perception and the planet.

"The broad programme offers something for everyone from the world’s best immersive installations, to exhibitions, walks, talks, meditation, and live performance.

"Come and join us and reflect on what it means to be part of a conscious planet."