Dreamy Place Festival

A vibrant world of creative tech and arts comes to Sussex 

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Bringing groundbreaking art to new spaces in Brighton and Crawley, Dreamy Place is dedicated to fostering artistic expression. Launched last year, this festival blends innovative technologies, the moving image and the artistic vision of the most exciting regional and international talent. Curated by videoclub and produced in partnership with arts, culture, technology, and community partners, it’s perhaps the most forward-thinking showcase for cutting-edge art on the south coast.

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From high-powered lasers inside pyramid sculptures to a light and sound installation in a hidden tunnel under Brighton Station, Dreamy Place offers a fusion of creative tech and arts over two extended weekends this month. It places world-renowned artists alongside local creative talent, and most events are completely free.

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As this festival gets ready to light up two of the county’s biggest towns, we spoke to videoclub director, Jamie Wyld, about the value of collective experiences and how we could think differently about new creative technologies.

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How important is it for you to encourage people to experience familiar locations in new ways?

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It’s essential for Dreamy Place. We’re taking every day spaces in Brighton and Crawley, places people pass by daily, and inviting them to see these locations in a new light. Art has the power to change how we interact with our surroundings, offering fresh perspectives on spaces that may seem ordinary. It’s about rediscovering the magic of the familiar, creating an emotional and sensory shift that reconnects people to the spaces they think they know. This also challenges assumptions and creates a more inclusive experience where everyone can feel a sense of wonder and belonging.

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Have technology and the arts always been so closely intertwined?

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They've certainly evolved together, but I’d say technology has rapidly expanded the horizons of what’s possible in the arts in recent years. We’re seeing artists use tech not just as a tool, but as a medium in its own right - whether it’s digital installations, interactive exhibits, or virtual realities. At Dreamy Place, we explore how these two realms can enhance one another, creating immersive experiences that push boundaries and engage audiences in entirely new ways. It’s exciting because it opens the door to more participatory and accessible art.

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Are there particular social and economic benefits attached to presenting art in city centres?

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 Absolutely. When you present art in city centres, you democratise it - making it accessible to a wider audience, including those who might not usually visit traditional galleries. It stimulates local economies by bringing footfall to surrounding businesses, creating opportunities for collaboration and community engagement. In a place like Brighton, known for its rich cultural fabric, placing art in public spaces invites conversations across social and economic divides, fostering a more connected and vibrant community. It’s a way to remind people that art is for everyone, not just something confined to the elite or hidden away in exclusive venues.

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Why were Brighton and Crawley chosen as the sites for this festival?

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Brighton has a long-standing reputation as a hub for creativity, innovation, and progressive thought, which naturally makes it an ideal location for a festival like Dreamy Place. It’s a city that embraces diversity, making it fertile ground for new artistic experiences. Crawley, on the other hand, offers a different kind of urban landscape, with its own unique identity and community spirit. By bringing the festival to both cities, we’re bridging different cultural and social experiences, inviting more people into the conversation and widening the scope of engagement.

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What can audiences expect from Dreamy Place?

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Audiences can expect the unexpected! From immersive installations to interactive performances, Dreamy Place is all about breaking down traditional boundaries between art and audience. Visitors won’t just observe—they’ll participate, explore, and connect with the works on a personal level. Each experience is designed to provoke thought, inspire creativity, and foster a sense of shared wonder. Whether you’re a seasoned art lover or someone encountering contemporary art for the first time, there’s something to captivate everyone.

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Dreamy Place comes to locations across Crawley on Fri 4 - Sun 6 Oct and Brighton on Fri 25 - Sun 27 Oct.

Find out more at www.dreamy-place.com 

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Dreamy Place highlights

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CRAWLEY

FRI 4 - SUN 6 OCT

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Pyramid light sculptures Vessels by Limbic Cinema in Queens Square will use atmospheric lasers and smoke to offer a modern take on monuments that brought ancient people together to contemplate and celebrate the sun. This is a rare chance to safely experience close-up the vivid, 3D forms created by high-powered lasers and engage with light in an almost tactile way. 

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Interactive holograms by artist Megan Broadmeadow will enchant visitors to Crawley Bandstand. Drawing on ancient magic and cutting-edge technology, Dewiniaith, meaning “Sorcery” in Welsh, uses video technology and artificial intelligence, mixed with Welsh folklore and song. 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?” 

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Dream World creative workshops by Exploring Senses: Guided by imagination, young people will explore creativity using 3D pens and iPads. Participants will digitally draw life forms, structures and vessels in 3D, embark on space journeys and discover hidden realms.

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Artists’ Talks & Workshops: A series of workshops to support artists and creatives, covering topics like Artificial Intelligence in art, project design and funding, and hologram-making.

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Outdoor Film Projections: In collaboration with CFI Media, enjoy a trail of works by local filmmakers projected onto the walls of Crawley town centre, Saturday 5 October.

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BRIGHTON & HOVE

FRI 25 - SUN 27 OCT

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Ammonite by Paris-based Collectif Scale - a group of friends working in different creative industries, pooling their expertise to make something unique. The latest version of a light and music installation that has toured the world, shows in the historic Cab Road tunnel under Brighton Station, not usually open to the public. The static structure uses light to give the illusion of organic movement and echoes the natural architecture of a prehistoric shell. Ammonite offers an otherworldly experience to visitors. 

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V1: Content Aware by Felicity Hammond: Housed in a shipping container in Jubilee Square, this artwork uses installation, collage and AI to connect geological and data mining. Exploring the journey from mineral to pixel, the work maps how photographic images are produced, distributed and consumed. Commissioned through the Ampersand/Photoworks Fellowship and showing in Brighton as part of Photoworks Weekender and Dreamy Place, this is the first iteration of Variations, an evolving series of installations by Felicity Hammond with future versions to be shown in London, Derby and Edinburgh.

Imagining Otherwise by Flexer & Sandiland: South East Dance presents an immersive, interactive, digital dance work, combining fast-paced choreography with poignant spoken text. The performance explores the infinite possibilities created by our daily decisions and wishes for change. Sat 26 Oct.

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Film Trails: Curated film trails across Brighton, including collaborations with Oska Bright Film Festival and Carousel, showcasing the talents of learning-disabled artists and filmmakers. 

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Days of Wonder Weekender at Hove Museum: A weekend of hands-on play with film and digital media featuring experiments with optical toys, analogue tech and filmmaking. Perfect for curious families.

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Transmission by Tewa Barnosa offers a meeting of cities, a meeting of minds and an opportunity for transformation. Gallery Lock-in, a former back-street garage, will be transformed into an audiovisual portal for the first UK solo exhibition by the Libyan artist who is based between troubled Tripoli and apolitical Amsterdam. Using AI, audiences will embark on a journey through the meaning of language, from translation to misinformation, shared heritage and the constructed political situations that drive us apart. 

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Asian Futurism Talks: Sun 27 Oct at The Old Market, discover how artists use creative tech to reimagine Asian heritage, in collaboration with Platform Asia and 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art (Sydney).

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