Dream Space

In this episode the acclaimed poet, writer, playwright and broadcaster Lemn Sissay takes us through his nature-inspired Dream Space. The writer and poet invites you to get lost in a forest or simply watch a sunrise on repeat with friends. On the soundtrack? New music from Loyle Carner and Arlo Parks. On the menu? The best cuisine from around the world, of course. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, artist and world-builder Danielle Braithwaite-Shirley takes us on a journey - literally with a collective train ride - to a utopian dream space inspired by the aesthetics of a Playstation One game. On the soundtrack is Arthur Russell and on the menu, Danielle is serving up plenty of Caribbean flavours.As an artist, Danielle's work seeks to archive Black trans experiences, using technology to imagine environments that centre their bodies. These often come in the form of video games - letting the audience become immersed in Danielle's worlds, asking them to reflect on their own identities.For Factory International, Danielle has created I CAN'T FOLLOW YOU ANYMORE - a browser-based video game that explores the idea of a Black Trans revolution. In the glitchy style of a 90's PlayStation One horror game, the player must dance or fight to convert others to their ideology whilst facing positions which challenge their own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode award-winning artist and set designer Es Devlin builds a world where humans share a language with endangered butterflies and birds. Time is circular and electronic devices non-existent. Our sound world is expanded. We hear the voices of whales and the movement of mountains. This Dream Space is the awakening of human perception.Es Devlin has worked with some of the biggest superstars on the planet. Known for creating entire worlds on stage, Es is the subject of the Netflix documentary series Abstract: The Art Of Design and her immersive, sculptural work has been installed at the Tate Modern Gardens, COP26 and Superblue Miami.For Factory International, Es Devlin brings her magic to Aviva Studios with an iconic set for our huge opening show Free Your Mind. Can't get enough? Her monumental, immersive installation An Atlas of Es Devlin takes over the vast warehouse space during the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of Dream Space, Nabihah Iqbal transports us to Egypt – where a calm oasis is waiting on the banks of the Nile and a golden sunset is frozen in time. Birds are singing, grandma is cooking and Jeff Buckley, Cleopatra and Bruce Lee wander past in conversation.Nabihah Iqbal is a musician, DJ, writer and broadcaster. In 2023, she has been busy curating Brighton Festival and touring her latest album DREAMER – a record she created during the early months of 2020, after her studio was burgled and long-awaited album lost.For Factory International, Nabihah Iqbal produced the music for Factory Works – an audio artwork created by artist Neville Gabie in collaboration with construction workers and manufacturers involved in the creation of Aviva Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today our dreamer is Ivan Michael Blackstock. With a background in contemporary dance, South-London born Ivan is a true multidisciplinary artist, from Sadler's Wells in London and Paris' Vilette Theatre, to working with Beyoncé on the choreography of both Black Is King and the Grammy award-winning music video 'Brown Skin Girl'.Alongside this, for over seven years Blackstock has been developing TRAPLORD. Co-commissioned by Factory International, the project was concocted in an abandoned East London leisure centre and touches on themes of masculinity, mental health and race, and has recently won an Olivier Award for ‘best new dance production'.This is Ivan Blackstock's Dream Space…Music from Traplord: Torben Sylvest - ProducerKaaris - Chargé (Mr. Carmack Remix) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our dreamer in this episode is the brilliant Jenn Nkiru. Jenn is an award-winning artist, director and visionary filmmaker from Peckham, whose work is rooted in the history of Black music, Afro-surrealism, experimental film and the Black arts movement. Her own particular style of filmmaking is distinctive, switching between eras and locations in a process she describes as “cosmic archaeology”. She's directed documentaries, cinematic shorts, and music videos - including the critically acclaimed music video for Beyoncé's "Brown Skin Girl", which won the Best Music Video award at the 2021 Grammys. For Factory International , Jenn is creating a brand new film which reflects on space, time and memory, intertwining Manchester's industrial history with modern-day architecture, paying homage to the people and culture that make up a city… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Dream Space, Sabrina Mahfouz invites us into her triple-room extravaganza featuring nostalgic '90s beats, pastel colours and a collaborative fine art space.Sabrina Mahfouz is a multifaceted playwright, lyricist, poet and screenwriter. Her critically acclaimed work includes the theatre adaptation of Noughts & Crosses and memoir These Bodies of Water. She explores themes around class, inequality and her British, Egyptian and Guyanese heritage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we're entering the dream space of the award-winning author and poet Danez Smith.They are the author of three critically acclaimed poetry collections, including Homie and Don't Call Us Dead which won the Forward Prize for Best Collection and delves into the intricacies of their identity as Black, queer and HIV positive. They once described their work as a chance to 'peer into the surreal edge at another version of us'.For MIF23, Danez Smith set the creative tone for a lock-in at Manchester's Contact Theatre in honour of its 50th anniversary. A collaboration between Factory International and Contact, 50 Hours of Freedom invited three local artists to make new work in 50 hours which was performed in front of a live audience, all inspired by a brief given by Danez.Produced by Reduced Listening for Factory International. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The brilliant Scottee is a multi-award winning artist based in Manchester making work for theatres, ears and walls - tackling topics of class, bodies, queerness, privilege and so much more. In this episode of Dream Space they takes us on a journey through their dream of function rooms, queer euphoria and a whole lot of potato salad.factoryinternational.org/dreamspaceProduced by Reduced Listening for Factory International. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Actor, activist, writer, director and all round general delight Maxine Peake joins us as our first guest on Dream Space. Born and raised in Bolton, Maxine has a long relationship with Manchester and is no stranger to Manchester International Festival where she has performed multiple times - including this year at MIF23 where she performs an adaptation of Kay Dick's dystopian novel ‘They'. Maxine takes us on a journey through bonfires, primal instruments and witchy rituals with a hope to make us all feel more connected.factoryinternational.org/dreamspaceProduced by Reduced Listening for Factory International. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does art have the power to do, when we allow ourselves to dream? Gemma Cairney speaks with some of the world's most exciting artists to take us on a journey through an imaginary space where nothing is off limits. With infinite resources at their disposal and a blank canvas to imprint their vision on, the challenge is to stage their dream art extravaganza. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.