Dreamy Place creative technology and digital arts festival in Brighton

Light installation Nova will be the centrepiece of the Dreamy Place creative technology and digital arts festival in Brighton this October (Friday, October 23-Sunday, October 25).

A star sculpture featuring NASA space sounds, projected patterns and swirling smoke effects will light up Brighton’s Pavilion Square, becoming the first public artwork in the newly created space in front of the city’s iconic Royal Pavilion.

Titled Nova, the light and sound installation by UK art collective Studio Vertigo takes centre stage as part of Dreamy Place.

Produced by arts and digital culture agency videoclub, the free, three-day festival returns to Brighton & Hove from October 23-25 with outdoor installations, immersive soundscapes, digital exhibitions, VR dance and hands-on workshops.

Participating artists have partnered with scientists, ecologists and bioscience researchers and have used technology in unexpected ways to explore a diverse range of topics including soil DNA, local birdsong, space audio and environmental acoustics.

Jamie Wyld, director of festival producers videoclub, said: “We’re delighted to bring Dreamy Place back to Brighton and to present the very first public artwork in Pavilion Square. Studio Vertigo's Nova will offer a thrilling way for everyone to experience this new city centre space together. For our 2026 edition we’re focusing on our changing relationship with the environment. Collective experiences across the festival will show how creative tech can help us connect with the natural world.

“Most Dreamy Place festival events are free and suitable for all ages. Full programme details can be found at dreamy-place.com.”

Jamie added: “Nova by Studio Vertigo is inspired by the astronomical phenomenon of a nova, when a dormant star suddenly reignites and dramatically increases in brightness. The work takes the form of a monumental, glowing star. Its surface is pierced with more than 56,000 tiny laser-cut holes, allowing light to shine through the reflective metal and create swirling galaxy-like patterns across the sculpture and surrounding ground. Smoke effects add to the sense of encountering a star brought down to Earth.

“Nova is also a sonic experience. An ambient soundscape uses sonified audio from NASA’s open-science programme, translating astronomical data into gentle tones and textures. Light and sound combine to evoke the scale and mystery of the cosmos.

“The work reflects on renewal and connection: the elements that make up stars also form planets and living bodies, reminding us that we are part of a much larger pattern running through the universe and through our own lives.”

Natural Frequency (curated by Chinabot and Platform Asia) will be at Jubilee Square, Brighton BN1 1GE (October 23-25), admission free.

“Jubilee Square becomes an open-air sonic environment featuring sound and music works by contemporary Southeast Asian artists. Co-curated by Chinabot and Platform Asia, this collective sound installation surrounds passers-by with compositions inspired by natural frequencies, geography and environmental acoustics.”

Also coming up is Acceleration Structures by Dan Holdsworth (POST, Industrial House, Conway Street, Hove, BN3 3LW (October 23-25), admission free.

“A moving image screening by artist Dan Holdsworth explores geological landscapes and digital topology. Using photogrammetry and 3D spatial mapping, Acceleration Structures translates mountain terrains of three Mont Blanc Glaciers into detailed digital structures.”