A second day of performances will take place on Friday 27 September

Discosailing is a participatory art ‘action’ that was first conceived by the artist Rasheed Araeen in 1970 and has developed in the years since. Araeen describes it as “a system of sailing, or floating on water… Discosailing, performed individually or collectively involving many performers, may appear as a sport but its underlying conception is the idea of a floating sculpture or sculptures. It can also be perceived as a form of a live performance.”

On 27 July 2024, to coincide with the first day of the Paris 2024 Olympics, The Line will realise the first manifestation of Discosailing to have ever been performed in the UK on the Waterworks River at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Six performances will unfold during the day, each lasting 30 minutes. Nine participants will float on discs and wear sails in bright colours that echo Araeen’s bold sculptures and painted works.

Like much of Araeen’s practice, Discosailing is an invitation for people to become part of his work. Through a meditative, experimental encounter, participants are invited to play with a connection between the body, object, water and space.

A second day of free performances will take place on 27 September 2024, times to be confirmed. If you are an individual or part of a group that would like to participate, please see the event page for more information.