Artist Steers Your Dreams In Overnight Gallery Stay
Creativity and science come together to explore the nature of dreaming

23 May 2007: Artist Luke Jerram is inviting members of the public to let him take control of their dreams during an overnight stay at Arnolfini in Bristol as part of his on-going project The Dream Director. Participants are invited to sleep in a specially designed "pod", wearing an eye-mask that detects rapid eye movement indicating dreaming sleep. This automatically triggers sounds, via a computer, which are played into small speakers mounted into the pod, affecting the nature and content of dreaming. Participants will be asked to record their dreams before and after the event and provide feedback over breakfast, giving them the opportunity to influence the future development of the project.

Luke Jerram is the recipient of the Clark Bursary - 6th UK Digital Art Award from Watershed in Bristol, which has enabled him to develop the project over the last six months. The Clark Bursary is funded by JA Clark Charitable Trust, Arts Council England South West and Watershed.

Press Preview: Friday 15 June 2030hrs - 0900hrs Saturday 16 June in At-Bristol science centre. Press are invited to be the first to experience The Dream Director during a special preview. If you are interested in the overnight experience please contact: anna.cusden@kallaway.co.uk
020 7227 7883 for further details.

Public Events: The Dream Director Sleepover will take place on Saturday 21 July from 2000hrs until 0900hrs the following morning at Arnolfini, Bristol. Ticket price £5 full / £3 concessions. Presentations by the artist and guest speakers will take place on Saturday 21 July from 1400hrs - 1700hrs. Ticket price £9 full / £7 concessions. Tel: 0117 917 2300/01

The Dream Director explores the sleep space as a creative location for artistic experience - a space where imagination seems less constrained. The project also explores clinical and scientific possibilities. Jerram has collaborated with Chris Alford, Sleep Psychologist at the University of the West of England to look at the ways in which the technology could be used to help those who suffer from nightmares and disturbed sleep patterns. Jerram has also worked with Dan Jones since 2003, an award-winning composer who shares his interest in the effects of sound on the visual imagination.

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Luke Jerram
Luke Jerram (b. 1974) designs artworks that deliver an experience to unusual perceptual territories. Retinal Memory Volume makes sculpture work using retinal after images, whilst Sky Orchestra involves lifting people into the creative space on the edge of sleep using surround sound played from hot air balloons flown over a city at dawn. Sky Orchestra launched the Sydney Festival in January 2007, and was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company over Stratford-upon-Avon to mark its Complete Works Festival in June 2006. As well as the Clark Bursary, he has previously been awarded a NESTA fellowship and completed an AHRC Arts and Science Fellowship at UWE.
www.lukejerram.com

Clark Bursary - 6th UK Digital Art Award
Clark Bursary - 6th UK Digital Art Award is supported and managed by Watershed in Bristol, and is in association with the Situations programme at UWE, which investigates the significance of place and context in the commissioning of new artworks. Luke's development within this critical framework is a key focus of this unique opportunity, and is published online at www.dshed.net/clarkbursary. This Bursary is also supported by Arnolfini and At-Bristol with sponsorship from Custom Audio Designs Ltd.

Participation in Press Preview
Places are limited so please get in touch as soon as possible.

To participate you need to bring with you a sleeping bag and pillow. In addition we recommend: pyjamas, slippers, toothbrush/washkit. Please note this is not suitable for people who snore or suffer sleep disorders.

Watershed
Watershed, Britain's first dedicated media centre is at the heart of Bristol UK: promoting creativity, innovation and talent. Watershed's programme is delivered with the support of a wide range of funders including; Arts Council England South West, Bristol City Council and South West Screen, and is created through a network of collaborators. Creativity and difference are the cornerstones of the Watershed brand - extending choice, diversity and participation. For more information visit www.watershed.co.uk

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