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Utopia: In Search of the Dream

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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

Richard Clay examines what 'utopias' reveal about our deepest hopes, dreams and fears.

Series in which art historian Professor Richard Clay explores visions of 'utopia' and examines what they reveal about our deepest hopes, dreams and fears.

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Richard Clay

Tas Bahir

David Bingham

James Delaney

Martin Graham

Kate Hall

Chris Heimann

Charles Matlock

Sid Meier

Deimantas Narkevicius

Steve Reich

Gerald Simpson

Anthony Negus

Stephen Rooke

Aslam Ali

Mubarik Ali

Nabeel Ghori

Asad Iqbal

Haji Ameer Khan

Jatinder Kwatna

Zilgarnain Mahomed

Kamaldeep Mathary

Imad Undre

ClearStory Ltd

Russell Barnes

Alex Brisland

Clare Burns

Julian Hart

Richard Farnsworth

Ben Harris

Sabrina Scollan

Phitz Hearne

Pete Allibone

Adam Prescod

Tim Waller

Phil Nockles

Will Churchill

Tim Platten

Utopia: In Search of the Dream: Series 1: Episode 3: A Good Place Within

A Good Place Within

Episode 3

Episode 3: A Good Place Within

Series 1

BBC Four - Utopia: In Search of the Dream, Series 1, A Good Place Within

Richard Clay asks if utopia is ultimately a state of mind. Can we find utopia within?

Richard Clay asks if utopia is, ultimately, a state of mind. Can we all find our utopia in a perfect moment of transcendence, artistic expression or hedonism?

Art historian Richard Clay asks whether utopia is, ultimately, a state of mind. Can we find utopia within? He explores the many ways we have created to immerse ourselves in a perfect moment, of epiphany or transcendence, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and pleasure. 

Seeking answers in a broad range of arts, Richard meets digital games pioneer Sid Meier, Rada improvisation teacher Chris Heimann and opera impresario Martin Graham. He tries to compose a haiku and uncovers traces of the hedonistic medieval carnival tradition in the churches and pubs of his native Lancashire. 

Richard also compares and contrasts different musical escapes, interviewing Acid House legend A Guy Called Gerald and the celebrated minimalist composer Steve Reich. This is not about the utopia of the future but about the utopia of the immediate world that we can experience now.

Utopia: In Search of the Dream: Series 1

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Episode 3: A Good Place Within

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