The Beach of Dreams Silks

Where does colour come from? The Beach of Dreams National Commission sits at the heart of the programme, exploring our connections with our coastlines and the significance of colour in the natural world.

A national artwork by Kinetika: The Beach of Dreams Silks is a dynamic and travelling silk installation composed of hundreds of naturally-dyed pennants, each representing a personal story that reflects our relationship with the coast and sea.

This evolving tapestry weaves together a rich narrative of hope and inspiration for our shared future. Visitors can view the installation as it journeys up and down the coastline, connecting communities and celebrating the diverse voices of those who have contributed. To date, over 600+ pennants have been created, showcasing the profound connections people have with their coastal environments.

About Kinetika & Ali Pretty

Ali Pretty is the Founder and Artistic Director of Kinetika, established in 1997 to unite communities through extraordinary silk-based designs and public spectacles that inspire social action and enrich local environments. She served as the Artistic Director for Silk River, a British Council UK/India Year of Culture project, and now leads Beach of Dreams, a year-long creative programme exploring the UK's coastal heritage and climate futures. Since 2012, Ali has led groundbreaking walking arts projects both nationally and internationally, including the creation of T100 Festival, a decade-long walking, talking, and making festival in Thurrock.

Kinetika unites communities through exceptional silk-based designs and public spectacles that inspire social action and enrich local environments. Guided by a vision to pioneer community-driven art and design, we aspire to ignite enduring positive change, celebrate cultural diversity, and cultivate resilient, sustainable communities worldwide.

Our 28 years of experience champions an adaptable and accessible approach to co-creating designs in silk. Our methods engage diverse communities, enhance social cohesion and foster a sense of pride and belonging.

Flagship projects include Thank You Dance for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant (2022); Silk River a British Council commission for the UK/India Year of Culture in (2017); T100 Festival a walking, talking and making outdoor arts festival in Thurrock and En Flag as part of the Cultural Olympiad for the Paris Olympics (2024).

Founded in 1997 by Ali Pretty, Kinetika is a charity and a National Portfolio organisation of Arts Council England.