The Cenote Ring in London

The Cenote Ring is a two-part project by multimedia artist Paola Estrella, unfolding across distinct spaces and mediums to explore the cenotes—natural sinkholes formed by the impact of an asteroid over 66 million years ago. Scattered across the Yucatán Peninsula, these interconnected sites make up the geological formation known as the Cenote Ring. 

Bridging collaboration, ritual, and storytelling, the project comprises a collaborative performance at Stone Nest, London and a solo painting exhibition at 5 Howick Place, London. Though presented separately, both are conceptually intertwined—inviting audiences to move between myth and material, the ephemeral and the pictorial.

This project has been made possible thanks to support from HS Projects, Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants, and Artists Make Space Programme at Orleans House Gallery.

What to expect

Step inside a former Welsh chapel in London’s West End for an immersive, multisensory performance by Paola Estrella that blurs the line between the ancient and the imminent. The Cenote Ring unfolds through live visuals, spatial sound, and spoken word to explore the collision of belief systems, cosmic impact, and ecological fragility. Harnessing cutting-edge technologies such as real-time 3D editing, motion capture, and generative sound synthesis, the performance transforms the space into a living, reactive environment. Featuring contributions from Gabrielle Venguer, Montañera Music, Pierre Babbage, Costas Kazantzis, and Bon Music Vision, the work invites audiences into a visceral cycle of creation, destruction, and renewal.

The performance will be followed by an artist talk in conversation with curator Pita Arreola.

More about The Cenote Ring

With Cenote Ring, multimedia artist Paola Estrella presents an immersive live performance inspired by the myths surrounding an asteroid hitting her native Mexico millions of years ago.

Working across different meduims, Estrella takes viewers on a sensorial journey to the underwater portals that link prehistoric memories with speculative utopias. A series of large-scale paintings set the scene with impressions of the otherworldly Yucatan landscapes formed along an ancient impact crater to present a dialogue between natural history and new technologies necessary to continue the cycle of creation, destruction and renewal.

The collaborative performance piece unfolds in three acts and fuses elements of spoken word, sounds and movement, starting with a sonic exploration by María Mónica Gutiérrez who is better known as Montañera.

Gaming technologist Costas Kazantzis and choreographer Pierre Babbage not only contribute their technical expertise but also blend in elements of cyber-physical ecosystems and queer identities. Gabrielle Venguer picked up the language of Paola Estrella's paintings and translated them into costume designs, while the ambient soundscapes by Bon Music Vision incorporate recordings from outer space. 

Cenote Ring at Stone Nest is a one-off opportunity to experience ancestral and futuristic imaginations coming together in a historical building that holds the memories of Welsh worshippers and Limelight clubbers.

The evening concludes with an artist talk moderated by Pia Arreola, former Curator of Digital Art at the V&A, and precedes Paola Estrella's solo exhibition of paintings at HS Projects in June.

About the venue

Stone Nest

136 Shaftesbury Ave, London, W1D 5EZ

Stone Nest is an arts organisation and performance venue in the heart of London's West End, bringing exceptional and experimental art to a wide audience.

A hidden gem nestled amidst the bright lights of theatreland, it offers a platform for bold, visionary artists and a space where audiences can encounter an eclectic programme of contemporary performance.

Stone Nest took over the Grade II listed former Presbyterian church in 2012. Built in 1888, The Charing Cross Chapel closed for worship in 1982. It was transformed into one of London’s most hedonistic nightclubs, the Limelight, in 1985. In 2003 the building became a Walkabout pub and, following its closure in 2010, was subsequently squatted.

How to join

This is a ticketed event, but please note that places are limited.Pre-booking is essential to guarantee your spot. Please do this via the Stone Nest website.

Other events at the RCA

We are continually adding to our diverse programme of events: conversations on key topics such as funding advice and portfolio development, symposia, exhibitions, open days and more. Many are free and open to the public.