The Dreamy Place Festival is back in October, bringing an array of tech-powered art installations, including high-powered lasers within pyramid sculptures, immersive holograms, and a light installation in a tunnel beneath Brighton Station. Taking place over two weekends, the festival will feature global and local talent in both Brighton & Hove and Crawley, with most events free to the public.
“We’ll be transforming familiar spaces and lighting up hidden places,” said Jamie Wyld, Director of videoclub, the organisation behind the festival, formerly known as Brighton Digital Festival. “Dreamy Place is all about collective experiences and encouraging people to think about how new creative technologies can arouse curiosity and spark creativity.”
Guest Curator Lexi Zelda Stevens added, “Many of the artworks in this year’s festival connect the ancient past with the future through playful use of cutting-edge technology. The artists’ interests span the contemplation and celebration of light in ancient civilisations, to magic, witchcraft, and collaboration – between non-humans and ordinary members of the community.”
Dreamy Place Highlights
- Crawley: Friday 4 – Sunday 6 October
- Vessels by Limbic Cinema: A dazzling display of pyramid light sculptures using lasers and smoke to evoke ancient sun-worshipping monuments.
- Dewiniaith by Megan Broadmeadow: Holographic artworks at Crawley Bandstand inspired by Welsh folklore and modern technology. Megan asks, “What happens when the old meets the new? What magic will we rely on in the future, and who will be practising it?”
- Dream World Creative Workshops: Interactive workshops where young participants can use 3D pens and iPads to explore new creative realms.
- Artists’ Talks & Workshops: A series of talks and workshops focusing on AI in art and other creative topics.
- Outdoor Film Projections: Local filmmakers’ work projected throughout Crawley town centre on 5 October.
- Brighton & Hove: Friday 25 – Sunday 27 October
- Ammonite by Collectif Scale: A mesmerising light and sound installation in the Cab Road tunnel, creating an organic and otherworldly atmosphere.
- V1: Content Aware by Felicity Hammond: An innovative installation in Jubilee Square connecting data and geological mining, part of Photoworks Weekender.
- Imagining Otherwise by Flexer & Sandiland: An immersive digital dance performance about the choices we make and their consequences.
- Film Trails: Film screenings in collaboration with Oska Bright Film Festival and Carousel, highlighting learning-disabled filmmakers.
- Days of Wonder Weekender: A family-friendly event at Hove Museum, exploring optical toys and analogue tech.
- Transmission by Tewa Barnosa: An audiovisual portal at Gallery Lock-in created by Libyan artist Tewa Barnosa, focusing on language and misinformation.
- Asian Futurism Talks: Talks about how artists use technology to explore Asian heritage, taking place on 27 October at The Old Market.
Visit dreamy-place.com for further details.
