Richard Clay: Utopias

Ever since Thomas More coined the term, ‘Utopia’, it has been constantly re-imagined and re-invented by new generations of writers and dreamers. Now a major new arts series for BBC Four examines the enduring appeal of utopias and asks what it is in the human condition that yearns for it. Richard Clay, professor of Digital Humanities at Newcastle University, talks about his experience of making the series, from being shouted at by guards at a Soviet nostalgia theme park in Lithuania to exploring the acid house scene of Chicago’s south side and experiencing a marathon Steve Reich minimalist music concert. The session will also feature exclusive preview clips and a Q&A.

Utopias is made by ClearStory for BBC Four and will broadcast this summer