Dream-works is a space of creative connections of visions with realities.  Here, images are not only for illustrations or fine art, but for ‘visioneering’ – for exploring inner worlds, past /future worlds, wider stories and deeper visions.

I have drawn my dreams for around 25 years, usually just on waking up, with a fast simple technique. Just a few find the time for elaboration, but the point here is not so much ‘art’ as the inner journey.

This goes public here and there as the ‘Dream-works’, in a marquee or other special space. Everyone is welcome to bring a dream – we will turn it into an image in a few minutes. Just a few half-ideas is enough for a vibrant graphic imagineering. Kids are especially good at this, but most adults have some kind of subconscious images or experiences. It’s even better where people can DIY their own, we can just provide the material and space.

We look after the drawings and put them on display until the end of the day: we then take photos and upload to the site (with your permission). Dreamers are then welcome to take away the finished originals & make donations to charity.

Why do this??  In a world which seems on the edge of self-destruction – climate change, extremism, inequality etc – we need to find ways to stay sane, and find possible ways forward.  These are not only in the outer material world, but inner dimensions – perceptions, stories, visions, meanings and archetypes. We can explore these with the help of ‘dream incubation’, Jungian therapy techniques and the visual imagineering approach.   If we write or draw these dreams, they don’t fade like the mist, but gain extra connection to the everyday world.

Actually we feel that dream-works is not only colourful and fun, but an essential tool for creating hope and vision out of challenge and darkness.  A book is in formation, with 100s of dream-work images, and a graphic storyline on how these can help to unlock the riddles of meaning… 

Dream-works is founded by Joe Ravetz & Amanda Ravetz, who also work in graphic facilitation, creative foresight, and social visual practice.  See examples and work in progress on www.urban3.net

Some sources:

Ravetz, J, (2023): ‘Visual imagineering:  graphic mind-games for the emerging ‘collective climatic intelligence’ In:  Metzner-Szigeth, Andreas (ed.), On the Interplay of Images, Imaginaries and Imagination in Science Communication, Florence (Casa Editrice Leo S. Olschki) 2022, SCIENTIA atque USUS vol. 3, ISBN 978-88-222-6871-6.

Ravetz, J, & Ravetz, A, (2016). Seeing the wood for the trees: Social Science 3.0 and the role of visual thinking. Innovation: the European Journal of Social Science Research, Vol 30(01):104 – 120. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13511610.2016.1224155