Factory International launches new podcast Dream Space
Broadcaster and author, Gemma Cairney features artists from this year’s Manchester International Festival in a new podcast, Dream Space.
The Manchester International Festival runs across the city from 29 June to 16 July.
Launching on 26 June, the podcast is from Factory International and produced by podcast production company, Reduced Listening.
Factory International is the organisation behind both Manchester International Festival (MIF), and the landmark new space which opens this year, creating a global destination for arts music and culture in the heart of Manchester.
Across ten episodes, the series asks some of the world’s most exciting artists to take listeners 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.
The idea is to get to know the artist at a deeper level and ultimately ask what does art have the potential to do, when we allow ourselves to dream?
Episode one features Maxine Peake, on a journey through her Dream Space, where she wants to shed Manchester’s skin – taking us past bonfires of burning forms and newspapers, guests playing primal instruments and questioning what kind of art the world needs now. She discusses with Gemma the importance of supporting new artists and the need to feel connected.
Future episodes feature guests such as artist, writer and dramaturg Scottee, cabaret star and trans pioneer Justin Vivian Bond and the acclaimed writer Sabrina Mahfouz.
Scott Smith, Head of Digital Content at Factory International, said: “At Factory International we have the privilege of working with some of the greatest artistic minds of our generation, and through this podcast we hope to harness the keys to their minds, freeing up the impossible to create new visions of the future.
“Guided by our wonderful host Gemma Cairney, our goal is to re-think what art can do, and invent tomorrow together.”
Joby Waldman, Director of Reduced Listening added: “History shows us how creative thinkers have frequently been ahead of the curve with ideas that shape and anticipate the future.
“We’re really excited to team up with Manchester International Festival to invite credible, diverse artists to free up their imagination and see what they can invent, and for our producers and sound designers to unleash the full power of sound to sing their visions to life.”
Dream Space hosted by Gemma Cairney will be available on all podcast platforms from Monday 26 June and you can find out more on the Factory International website.