This marks the beginning of the new nature...
28 · 05 · 2025
Last week in East London, OpenAREA convened a curated group of artists, designers, and cultural figures for Wild Imagination, a one-night event aimed at reinterpreting nature through the lens of culture.
Hosted in Allotment, a newly established creative venue, and sponsored by The Singleton Whisky, the evening utilized flavor as a sensory gateway to reevaluate the outdoors. Attendees enjoyed a three-part cocktail menu crafted by chef and creative Sophie Small (Forum for Formulation), with each beverage fostering a conversation among memory, botanicals, and emotional nuances.
Curated and led by OpenAREA's founder and creative director Ollie Olanipekun, the event came alive with a multidisciplinary team that included set designer Anna Singleton and steel installation artist Charlie Boyden.
The ambiance, defined by hay bales, raw textures, sculptural features, and communal plates, created an environment that was vibrant and immersive, resembling a gathering rather than a traditional event. There was no stage; instead, it was about the people, their presence, and the opportunity to experience nature in a novel way.
Wild Imagination provided insight into OpenAREA’s vision, a dynamic platform that aims to redefine our interactions with nature by transforming overlooked green spaces into culturally significant destinations of the future. It emphasizes culture as active participation and views nature as a medium for creativity.
This journey continues with OpenAREA's main event, a week-long cultural event at Camley Street Nature Reserve in King’s Cross, scheduled from 30 September to 5 October. For six days, this urban green area will serve as a new kind of venue, featuring immersive installations, performances, dinners, workshops, and experimental projects designed to inspire, challenge, and alter our connection to the natural world.
This is how the new nature begins. Find out more HERE.
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Last week in East London, OpenAREA hosted a curated gathering of artists, designers, and cultural influencers for Wild Imagination, an event that lasted just one night.