Matthew Spellberg is a scholar whose topic of study is the comparative history of dreaming—how dreams are experienced, shared, and made use of in different cultures. Originally trained as an architect, Professor Richard Sommer is interested in where politics and design meet. He writes on monument making, urbanism and time-based architecture.

The pair sit down to discuss dream sharing and the important role psychic spaces  play in how we live and work together, mutual interests that have brought them to collaborate on exhibitions and events. 

This is the first in a new series of talks on the podcast, where artists, cultural practitioners and other thinkers are invited to discuss a theme connected to our programme, with the duo reflecting on how that influences contemporary culture. 

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Glossary: 

Circadian rhythms: physical, mental, and behavioural changes that follow a 24-hour cycle.

Spelunking: cave diving.

Ongees: one of the last hunter-gatherer cultures in the Bay of Bengal.

Dialectic: a discussion between two or more people holding different points of view about a subject but wishing to establish the truth through reasoned argumentation.

Agoraphobia: fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or that help wouldn't be available if things go wrong. Commonly thought of as fear of open spaces. 

Useful links: 

Richard: New Circadia

Matthew: On Dream Sharing and Its Purpose