Dreamachine

2022

Dreamachine is an award-winning, pioneering public artwork that toured the UK in the summer of 2022, inspired by an experimental device designed by the Beat generation artist Brion Gysin in 1959.

Dreamachine Interior ©David Levene

Originally commissioned by Unboxed: Creativity in the UK, the immersive multi-sensory experience, with 360 spatial sound, uses flickering light directed onto closed eyes to create a unique kaleidoscopic visual journey generated by the brain. From May to September 2022, Dreamachine celebrated four sold-out, 5* reviewed shows in each of the four capital cities in the UK.

Dreamachine in Murrayfield Ice Rink, Edinburgh ©Andrew Perry

Assemble worked in collaboration with Collective Act, a team of leading technologists, composers, scientists, philosophers, structural engineers, lighting designers and textile designers to transform Gysin’s invention from a singular object into a collective experience.

©David Levene

Dreamachine in Carlisle Memorial Church, Belfast ©Neil Harrison

©Carys Lavin

The main demountable structure of Dreamachine is made from CLT panels, stained in a deep blue and pinned together with oak pegs. Once inside, participants are seated in the round, reclining on a tactile mohair fabric developed in collaboration with textile designer and weaver, Laura Miles from Woven Studio.

Dreamachine installation at Woolwich Public Market Hall in London ©Brenna Duncan

Assemble designed the demountable structures and led the spatial design of the touring work in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, inhabiting existing buildings with a historic public use – a market hall, a church, a temple and an ice rink.

Murrayfield Ice Rink, Edinburgh ©Andrew Perry

Dreamachine Street View of Woolwich Public Market Hall in London ©Urszula Soltys

Reflection space drawing table ©Urszula Soltys

The project was both a public art piece and a neuro-scientific research project exploring our brains’ complex ability to generate our perception. To build openness into the design process the team relied on a series of 1:1 prototypes as responsive tools for vast and varied public engagement, as well as the intricate coordination of sound, lighting and technology. We are currently in the process of developing the future touring of the project in new and international locations.

©Neil Harrison

1:1 Dreamachine Prototype in Bethnal Green

Early lighting prototype

Design Team Meeting with 1:20 Model at Sugarhouse Studios

Dreamachine was conceived and produced by Collective Act and was originally commissioned as part of Unboxed: Creativity in the UK, designed to celebrate creativity and innovation, with funding from the UK Government and with support from EventScotland and the Scottish Government, Creative Wales and the Welsh Government, Belfast City Council and the Northern Ireland Executive.