The Dream of the Dream Scientist

Signals was recently commissioned to create a 60 minute audio work for broadcast as part of the ‘Dreamlands’ project led by Radio Arts.

Radio Arts is an artist led group based in Kent that promotes radio as a site for creative experimentation and intervention.

We worked with Professor Jason Ellis, Director of the Northumbrian Sleep Research Centre at Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne and the Tyneside based group Noizechoir to create a 60 minute production about the science of sleep and dreaming.

The research centre is one of only three purposely built academic facilities dedicated to the research of sleep in the UK. It is an unusual space – part hotel, part science lab.

Prof. Ellis has never undergone the tests conducted at the research centre. As he undergoes the tests personally he takes us through what it means to be asleep and what is happening to our bodies when we sleep and dream.

The Noizechoir re-interpret Jason’s biomedical data captured during the study to create graphical scores. The 60 minute sound portrait of the sleep centre consists of choral pieces performed and recorded by the Noizechoir along with a recording of Jason’s experience as he takes us through the process and the science that underpins it.

The final work will form part of the Radio Arts Showcase, April 19th – 27th at The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge.

The production will also be broadcast on Radio Reverb (UK) Basic FM (UK)Sound Art Radio (UK) Resonance FM (UK) Radio Papesse (Italy) Wave Farm (USA) later in the year.