Colourama is an immersive podcast episode exploring synaesthesia, a neurological condition where sounds are experienced as colours. Affecting 4% of the population, this sensory crossover means sound and music can trigger visions of colour in the mind's eye.

This fascinating and hypnotic auditory journey allows you to experience this curious phenomenon for yourself. Guided by researchers from The University of Sheffield, the episode weaves together the diverse stories of those who see the sounds we can only hear.

The project was developed for the Festival of the Mind, where the podcast was played to a live audience over wireless headphones.

Professor Peter Jackson, Institute for Sustainable Foods and artist Anthony Bennet discuss their collaboration on Authentic Corpse.

Recorded and produced by Kitty Turner as part of Festival of the Mind 2022.

https://festivalofthemind.sheffield.ac.uk/

Professor Katie Field, School of Biosciences talks to artist Alex Ekins and Kieran from Seven Mushrooms gourmet farm about their collaboration on Fungal Figures.

Recorded and produced by Kitty Turner as part of Festival of the Mind 2022.

https://festivalofthemind.sheffield.ac.uk/

Dr Chris Montgomery, School of English discusses his research on the hidden understanding of language.

Recorded and produced by Kitty Turner as part of Festival of the Mind 2022.

https://festivalofthemind.sheffield.ac.uk/

Dr Richard Collins, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, talks to Ben and Hugh from Yard Nule about their collaboration on Unseen Forms: Water Music Suite.

Recorded and produced by Yard Nule as part of Festival of the Mind 2022.

https://festivalofthemind.sheffield.ac.uk/

Professor Renee Timmers, Department of Music, introduces the Voice Works project.

Recorded and produced by Kitty Turner as part of Festival of the Mind 2022.

https://festivalofthemind.sheffield.ac.uk/

Dr Simon Bell, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, and artist Kate Sully discuss their collaboration on An Artistic Journey to Describing Dementia.

Recorded and produced by Kitty Turner as part of Festival of the Mind 2022.

https://festivalofthemind.sheffield.ac.uk/

Dr Lorna Warren (Department of Sociological Studies), Dr Pam McKinney (Information School) and Justine Gaubert (Founder of the Crone Club) discuss their collaboration on No Silence Please: The Crone Spoken Library.

Recorded and produced by Kitty Turner as part of Festival of the Mind 2022.

https://festivalofthemind.sheffield.ac.uk/

Attributions:

‘book page’ by Nkzdra is licensed under CC BY 3.0

‘stamp’ by eduardfrigola is licensed under CC BY 3.0

‘Book Pages Variations’ by Piggimon is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0