Collective Act, directed by Jennifer Crook, has collaborated with Turner Prize-winning artists Assemble, Grammy and Mercury-nominated composer Jon Hopkins to create a unique psychedelic trip-like experience.
Dreamachine invites you on a magical journey to explore the extraordinary potential of your mind. Conjured entirely by light and music, the colourful world of the Dreamachine will unfold behind your closed eyes – created by your own brain and completely unique to you.
The experience has debuted in the UK capital this month, and will also be showcased at three other venues in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is one of ten UNBOXED: Creativity installations described as a “once-in-a-lifetime celebration of creativity” with immersive shows and artworks taking place in the UK and online from March to October 2022.
Assemble is responsible for the audience journey spatial design, whilst Hopkins, once described as “one of the most celebrated electronic musicians of his generation” by The New Yorker, composed the score for the live experience.
Visionary concept – psychedelic technique
Dreamachine is inspired by the design of artist and innovator Brion Gysin, who created an experimental homemade device in 1959. His invention produced flickering light giving the impression of vivid illusions, kaleidoscopic patterns and bursts of colour.
the first artwork to be experienced with your eyes closed
Designed as “the first artwork to be experienced with your eyes closed”, Gysin strived for his invention to gain immense popularity, so much so as to supersede the television in every American home.
Gysin died in 1986, however his vision lives on with the philosophy of using technology to reconnect us with our inner selves, especially in a time where the importance of wellbeing is increasingly prominent.
More than six decades later, Dreamachine has been transformed into a unique collective experience, transported to each of the UK’s four nations.
Invoked completely by light and music, the kaleidoscopic world of the Dreamachine unfolds behind closed eyes, created by visitors’ own minds and completely unique to each guest, as explained by Crook in this short film:
Public installations
Dreamachine is a free experience on display until September 2022 with the project already being showcased at London’s Woolwich Public Market and Cardiff’s Temple of Peace.
Dreamachine will also soon be displayed at Carlisle Memorial Church in Belfast from 25 July, and Murrayfield Ice Rink in Edinburgh from 13 August 2022.
Tickets for the experience can be pre-booked online.
Other UNBOXED: Creativity works include Tour de Moon, a space-inspired journey into the possibilities of tomorrow and See Monster, a decommissioned North Sea offshore platform transformed and relocated to Weston-super-Mare, at a previous Banksy art installation site.
Photos: Dreamachine
