Light show goes like a dream
Relax, shut your eyes… Let the Dreamachine experience immerse you in a fascinating world of light, colour and music – and conjure up stunning visions in your mind
IMAGINE being taken on a magical journey with your eyes closed where your mind creates visual ‘masterpieces’.
Now you can enjoy this amazing sensation at Dreamachine, an immersive light-and-music experience taking place this summer at four venues across the UK.
Created by some of the brightest minds in science, technology, engineering and the arts, Dreamachine has been described by participants as “life-changing”, “a spa for the psyche” and “aurora borealis of the brain”. Visitors relax in specially designed chairs, in groups of up to 32, close their eyes and experience an extraordinary lightscape of pictures and patterns, accompanied by music that’s delivered through a 360-degree spatial sound system.
The combination of light and music conjures up stunning visions in their mind’s eye. Some see shapes and patterns, cities and landscapes, or pulses of shifting hues, others feel like they’re on a rollercoaster ride or even a journey through space.
The experience is completely personal, explains Dreamachine’s creator Jennifer Crook.
“After the experience, people are invited to reflect on what they saw and heard and how they felt, and to share that with others in the group. It’s so beautiful, watching people trying to put words to what they’ve experienced,” says Jennifer.
“Some people are grinning all the way through their experience, others become emotional because Dreamachine may bring up deeper thoughts, conjuring patterns and colours that they didn’t even know their mind could generate.”
This groundbreaking project is one of hundreds of events happening around the UK as part of UNBOXED, a year-long celebration of creativity offering exciting events and online experiences involving a combination of science, engineering, technology, art and maths.
The idea for Deamachine was born when Jennifer attended a concert performance in London by Grammy-nominated musician Jon Hopkins. She was then inspired to approach Jon, who created the spatial sound music that’s at the heart of the Dreamachine experience.
Behind the show is Turner Prize-winning collective Assemble, which includes artists, designers, architects, composers, philosophers, technologists and neuroscientists.
Jennifer is excited by her initiative. “All of the magic is created by your own brain, which makes it an unusual, surprising experience – a powerful visual journey but with your eyes shut.
“We have very few places in the world where we can go and connect with ourselves.
“With Dreamachine, people see patterns, landscapes and abstract waves of colour, exploring the opportunity to disconnect from everyday life in a unique new experience.”
Dreamachine is taking place in London, Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh. Tickets are free, but must be booked in advance.