In The Studio

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

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Anchi has dedicated her research and creative work to exploring the Indigenous space of Temahahoi, a place where queer, gender non-conforming people lived and could communicate with bees, who were also their protection from approaching intruders.

Combining new technology, handmade ceramics and traditional bee chasing skills, Anchi Lin celebrates her Indigenous culture and identity in her work.

Anchi Lin talks in her studio to Lucy Collingwood, as she works on the performance elements of her video installation. Then from a forest deep in the Taiwan countryside, we follow Anchi as she learns the art of wild bee chasing from an Indigenous elder.

Lucy then joins Anchi Lin as she prepares to take part in an exhibition in Switzerland. Together they gather stones on the shores of Lake Zurich, traditionally used to protect bee hives, to stack as the final part of her installation.

Produced by Lucy Collingwood for the BBC World Service.

Executive Producer: Andrea Kidd

(Photo: Anchi Lin in her home studio)

Creating a multi-media installation inspired by an Indigenous story

Creating a multi-media installation inspired by an Indigenous story.

(Photo: Anchi Lin (Ciwas Tahos). Credit: Julia Kingham)

Mango season in Venezuela is a time of abundance, when mango fruit is plentiful on the trees. During this time of economic crisis and food scarcity in the country, many people can now be seen roaming the streets looking for these fruits to feed themselves and their families.

Andrea doesn't want to just take photographs of the hungry, but to dignify the struggle, showing how people are helping to solve this situation and help create a bridge between the people in the photographs and the viewer.

Presenter: Francis Peña

Producer: Andrea Kidd

(Photo: Andrea Hernández. Credit: Courtesy of Juan Velásquez)

Documenting the political and economic crisis across the country

Andrea Hernández is a documentary photographer, whose project Mango Season, aims to dignify the poverty facing people in Venezuela.

Photographer Andrea Hernández has been travelling around her native Venezuela documenting people and nature for her ongoing project called Mango Season. Mango season in Venezuela is a time of abundance, when mango fruit is plentiful on the trees. During this time of economic crisis and food scarcity in the country, many people can now be seen roaming the streets looking for these fruits to feed themselves and their families. Andrea doesn't want to just take photographs of the hungry, but to dignify the struggle, showing how people are helping to solve this situation and help create a bridge between the people in the photographs and the viewer.

Documenting the political and economic crisis across the country.

As well as following Andy as he writes Action Dude, the programme will follow Andy in the other part of the job - one that people who want to write a children's book don't really think (or even know) about. To develop and promote a book for children these days, authors now also have to perform. To children. Loads of them. At festivals and in schools. In Andy's case, he does what amounts to a semi-improvised hour-long stand up show with live drawing. It's always teetering on the edge of havoc, which makes head teachers very anxious.

So, the work begins. But what's the third one going to be about? Will  Action Dude be fighting a massive shark - or will he be doing something else entirely? How can this one be akin to the earlier books ... whilst also new and surprising? And how did Andy end up in this line of work, drawing explosions and spaceships at the age of 53 anyway?

(Photo: Andy Riley. Credit: Courtesy of Andy Riley)

Andy Riley, Emmy-winning scriptwriter and a million-selling author and cartoonist

Andy Riley is an Emmy-winning scriptwriter and million-selling author and cartoonist begins to write and draw the third book in his graphic novel series.

Producer: Olivia Skinner

Image: Daniel Libeskind Credit: Stefan Ruiz

Creating a building to house Albert Einstein's legacy, work and research in Jerusalem

Architect Daniel Libeskind on creating a home in Jerusalem for the Albert Einstein collection, and his part in redesigning The World Trade Center Plaza in New York.

Nature and the environment are also an important part of their work and Ad surrounds themselves with wildlife, from growing plants to encourage butterflies and bees at their home, to helping to cultivate green spaces in Buenos Aires.

Ad is creating an installation for Un Été au Havre, A Summer in Le Havre festival in northern France and wants their artwork to be enjoyed not only by people, but be beneficial for nature as well. The BBC's Andrea Kidd joins them in their studio as they design their piece called Hôtel des Oiseaux, a bird hotel that will be a welcoming space for the birds that live in the hanging gardens of the city.

Producer: Andrea Kidd

Creating geometric works for both humans and nature

Argentinian artist Ad Minoliti is creating a work in France that can be enjoyed by people, but has also been designed to benefit birds and nature as well.

Nature is also an important part of their work and Ad surrounds themselves with wildlife, from growing plants to encourage butterflies and bees at their home, to helping to cultivate green spaces in Buenos Aires.

The BBC's Andrea Kidd joins Claudia in her apartment in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires, as she works on her latest, as yet, untitled novel. It follows the story of two step-sisters, one a radio journalist, the other an escort, both unaware of the other's existence, until a dramatic incident brings their lives together. But was it an accident or something more sinister?

Claudia's been called the Queen of Suspense and Argentina's Queen of the Noir Novels and although her works often revolved around a crime or the dead, her books centre on relationships and capture the country's society.

She is also interested in what makes her characters tick, a trait she thinks that could stem from the Argentinian's love of psychoanalysis.

Claudia also explains how she starts her novels with an image and how her ill cat was the catalyst for this latest work.

Presented and produced by Andrea Kidd

Argentina's 'Queen of Suspense' on her latest novel.

Bestselling novelist Claudia Piñeiro talks about the inspiration behind her latest book and why Argentinian society remains an important character in her work.

Claudia Piñeiro is one of Argentina's bestselling and most translated crime and mystery writers.

As well as novels for both adults and children, she's also a screenwriter and has written for the theatre.

The BBC's Andrea Kidd joins Claudia in her apartment filled with books, as she works on her latest, as yet, untitled novel. It follows the story of two step-sisters, one a radio journalist, the other an escort, both unaware of the other's existence, until a dramatic incident brings their lives together. But was it an accident or something more sinister?

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

Join fellow author Paul Waters as he watches Awais take a radical step to tackle this problem and try to finish his first draft. Along the way Paul meets other international authors who share how they cope when the words won't flow. But will Awais manage to finish his own story?

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

Presented and produced by Paul Waters.

Discovering Awais's radical solution to find the right words

Pakistani thriller author, Awais Khan, takes a radical step to overcome his writer's block as he works on his new book, His Sister's Secret.

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Bárbara Sánchez-Kane is a Mexican fashion designer with eclectic influences: from quinceañera dresses to BDSM harnesses, Jesus's loincloth to lucha libre wrestlers in lingerie. Bárbara revels in the camp and complexity of everyday gender performance. Resisting traditional notions of masculine and feminine, Bárbara creates spaces of tension between these contrasting costumes.

We join Bárbara in Mexico City to follow the creation of her next line, from studio sketches to final fittings.

Producer: Alice McKee

(Photo credit: Fabián Martínez)

Mexican fashion designer B\u00e1rbara S\u00e1nchez-Kane disarms masculinity through menswear

Inside the brains of the world\u2019s most creative people

Bárbara Sánchez-Kane is a Mexican fashion designer with eclectic influences: from quinceañera dresses to BDSM harnesses, Jesus's loincloth to lucha libre wrestlers in lingerie. Bárbara revels in the camp and complexity of everyday gender performance. Resisting traditional notions of masculine and feminine, Bárbara creates spaces of tension between these contrasting costumes.

We join Bárbara in Mexico City to follow the creation of her next line, from studio sketches to final fittings.

Producer: Alice McKee

(Photo credit: Fabián Martínez)

Mexican fashion designer B\u00e1rbara S\u00e1nchez-Kane disarms masculinity through menswear

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

A Mexican fashion designer disarms masculinity through menswear. We join Bárbara Sánchez-Kane in Mexico City, following the creation of her next line.

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(Photo: Baek Mi-kyoung. Credit: Story Phoenix)

Baek Mi-kyoung on creating the sequel to the hugely popular Strong Girl Bong-soon

Script writer Baek Mi-kyoung has pioneered female narratives on Korean television. So can she create a successful all-female superhero franchise - on a budget?

The Old Oak will be Ken Loach's last feature film and Sharuna Sagar was granted exclusive access behind the scenes of this landmark movie. She joins the 86-year-old director on his swansong as he brings together his loyal team for one last time. As with his previous two films, I, Daniel Blake and Sorry We Missed You, Ken returns to the North East of England, to tell the story of Syrian refugees who have been housed in an ex-mining village. With him are his long-standing partners, producer Rebecca O'Brien and writer Paul Laverty, and they reveal the secrets of Loach's success, with films like Kes, Cathy Come Home and The Wind That Shakes The Barley. Sharuna eavesdrops on rehearsals, casting sessions and a dog audition.

Behind the scenes of Ken Loach's new film, The Old Oak

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

The Old Oak will be Ken Loach's last feature film. Sharuna Sagar, joins the 86-year-old director on his swansong as he brings together his loyal team for one last time.

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Another chance to hear an award-winning edition of In The Studio.

The Old Oak was Ken Loach's last feature film and Sharuna Sagar was granted exclusive access behind the scenes of this landmark movie. She joins the 86 year old director on his swansong as he brings together his loyal team for one last time.

As with his previous two films, I, Daniel Blake and Sorry We Missed You, Ken returns to the North East of England, to tell the story of Syrian refugees who have been housed in an ex-mining village. With him are his long-standing partners, producer Rebecca O'Brien and writer Paul Laverty, and they reveal the secrets of Loach's success, with films like Kes, Cathy Come Home and The Wind That Shakes The Barley. Sharuna eavesdrops on rehearsals, casting sessions and a dog audition.

Behind the scenes of Ken Loach's last movie.

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

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We follow Australian competitor Rachael Gunn (b-girl Raygun) as she hits pause on her day-job as a university lecturer and prepares for her debut on the Olympics stage. In conversations across the final 100 days, as she practises at home in Sydney, tests out new moves in the UK, and gets settled in Paris, we hear about the challenges of training, experimenting, and honing her performance.

Breaking competitions aren't about crafting and replicating a routine: during one-minute, one-to-one battles, you have to respond creatively to what your opponent does and foster your own style. So what techniques can she use to prepare for the unknown? Can you practice personality? And where does sport end and art begin?

Image: Rachael 'Raygun' Gunn poses in the Sydney central business district in April 2024 (Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Australia's top female breakdancer prepares for her debut at Paris 2024

Australia's top female breakdancer, university lecturer Rachael Gunn, prepares for the first-ever Olympic breaking competition.

Vik Muniz likes to trap and fool his audience with trickery and illusion

Vik Muniz likes to trap and fool his audience with trickery and illusion.

Legendary musician, composer and producer Brian Eno has turned his attention to the climate crisis. In 2021, he founded the ground-breaking organisation EarthPercent, a charity which aims to raise $100m by 2030. The money - from royalties of partner artists - is being used to reduce the environmental impact of the music industry, as well as restoring nature, advancing policy change and securing 'climate justice and fair environmental stewardship.' Among the musicians with whom he is currently collaborating are Coldplay, CHVRCHES, Nile Rogers, Anna Calvi, Louis VI and Michael Stipe.

Listeners are welcomed inside the hallowed soundproofed walls of his London studio to experience first-hand the recording methods of his latest project. An immersive experience, we are up close and personal to one of the most important artists and producers of the 20th and 21st century. An opportunity to understand Eno's creative processes when it comes to composing and recording new material, as well as revealing the innovative ways this music can be used for the good of the planet.

He also talks about his motivations for founding EarthPercent and why he thinks musicians have such an important role to play in the climate movement. Be it Nina Simone and James Brown for civil rights, or Buffalo Springfield for nuclear disarmament, musicians have long helped push social movements into the limelight. And as the impact of the climate crisis becomes ever more desperate, this documentary follows Brian Eno into the studio as he works in collaborative partnerships on new material that list Earth as co-writer.

Sound design: Rowan Bishop

Producer: Louise Orchard

Presenter: Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent

A 2 Degrees West Production for BBC World Service

Image: Brian Eno (Credit: Cecily Eno)

Musician, composer and producer Brian Eno on technique and inspiration in nature

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

Legendary musician, composer and producer Brian Eno on technique and inspiration in nature.

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Her next movie is an adaptation of her autobiographical novel Seven Miles Out. It's about a teenage girl coming to terms with her father's suicide, and not one word of the book has made its way into the screenplay. Carol tells Stephen Hughes why she was surprised by how difficult it was to adapt her own work, and how it brought back thoughts and feelings she thought she'd learned to live with. Carol also reveals that selling a script is harder than writing one, as she waits patiently to hear back from film companies that she'd sent the screenplay to.

Produced and presented by Stephen Hughes

**This programme contains distressing content**

During this interview, Carol speaks frankly about the effect of her father's suicide upon her. If you need support following anything you've heard in this episode, there's information at BBC.com/actionline and help is also available at befrienders.org.

Image: Carol Morley (Credit: Paul Marc Mitchell)

An acclaimed film-maker on the art of writing and selling a screenplay

Acclaimed film-maker Carol Morley tells Stephen Hughes about the art of writing and selling a screenplay. Please note that this programme contains distressing content.

Colm has explored the experiences of other novelists and creative thinkers in his writing. His recent title, The Magician, traced the life of German writer Thomas Mann, and his book The Master, an international literary sensation, told the story of the novelist Henry James.

Alongside the release of his debut collection of poems, Vinegar Hill, Colm gives fellow Irish writer Helen Cullen an insight into how he works, taking her through his writing process, how he gathers his ideas and his approach to refining his work.

They explore the differences and similarities in techniques of writing prose and poetry, and how influence can be drawn from outside the literary world. Helen discovers what it is like to immerse oneself in the creative of mind of figures such as Henry James, and how it shaped Colm as a writer.

Presenter: Helen Cullen

Readings: Matthew Durkan

Producer: Sam Peach

Executive producer: Rebecca Armstrong

Inside the creative world of the acclaimed author of Brooklyn

Inside the creative world of the acclaimed author of Brooklyn, The Magician and The Master.

If you think of an artist's studio you might picture a room, bright with light and splattered with paint. You must forget that image when you visit the Argentinian artist Tomás Saraceno. His studio is two big and old industrial units, covered in graffiti, in what was East Berlin. This was where the company AGFA developed and made the chemicals that made colour photography possible. The ground is so polluted Saraceno's lease forbids him from growing any vegetables, and this matters to this environmentally concerned artist. But the industrial past of Studio Saracen is fitting as Tomás' work is highly technical. Here he has an architecture department, an arachnid research laboratory and an engineering works. He has about 40 people working on different projects.

Tomás talks to Julian May about some of his projects, including Aerocene - sculptural hot air balloons that ascend and fly without the use of any fossil fuels, by capturing the reflected heat of the sun. Tomás's ambition is to create a kind of slow aviation, in which his balloons will travel around the globe on predictable air currents.

Argentinian artist Tom\u00e1s Saraceno tells us about his hot air balloon creation, Aerocene

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

Argentinian artist Tomás Saraceno tells us about his hot air balloon creation, Aerocene

Producer: Julian May.

(Image: Argentinian artist Tomás Saraceno, with kind permission)

Argentinian artist Tom\u00e1s Saraceno tells us about his hot air balloon creation, Aerocene.

Argentinian artist Tomás Saraceno talks about his community project Aerocene, which is made up of sculptural solar balloons that ascend and fly without the use of fossil fuels.

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One of the many traditions in London at Christmas is to visit the capital's festive lights, which brighten up the dark winter nights. People travel from right across the world to enjoy the colourful and eye-catching Christmas window displays along Oxford Street, one of London's main shopping roads.

Andrea Kidd goes behind the glitter and tinsel with the teams at one of the flagship department stores, Selfridges, as they prepare to reveal their Christmas windows to the public for the first time. With the concept of More the Merrier this year, Bobbie Tree and her teams work alongside renowned artists Andrew Logan and Charles Jeffreys to create vibrant and flamboyant window displays for the 130,000 people who walk past them every day.

Behind the scenes with the teams designing the London store's festive windows.

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

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Now, the stage adaptation of The Promise, written by Galgut and director Sylvaine Strike, is being readied to premiere at the Star Theatre, at the Homecoming Centre in Cape Town.

But how does a text so praised for its formal inventiveness – the narrative voice shifting from third to first person, and inhabiting multiple interior lives, sometimes within a single paragraph – get translated for the theatre and brought to life?

Writer Bongani Kona goes behind the curtain to watch the rehearsal process unfold. We trace Galgut's journey from the play's conception, and follow the director and cast as they workshop scenes, experiment with sound and action, and navigate the unusual set design – all in the build-up to opening night.

The Promise on stage is directed by Sylvaine Strike with stage adaptation by Damon Galgut and Sylvaine Strike. Original music composition by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder.

Presenter: Bongani Kona

Produced by Catherine Boulle and Bongani Kona

A Falling Tree production for the BBC World Service

Image: Damon Galgut (Credit: Leonardo Cendamo/Getty Images) in front of a scene from the stage adaptation of The Promise (Credit: Claude Barnardo)

A Booker Prize-winning novel moves from the page to the stage

Damon Galgut's Booker Prize-winning novel, The Promise, moves from the page to the stage.

Mark Burman talks to film title designer Dan Perri.

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

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We go behind the scenes to eavesdrop on rehearsals and meet Danny and his creative team. We discover that unlike a film, where the director can have complete control, the creation of Free Your Mind is a collaborative effort. We hear from other members of the team including composer Michael ‘Mikey J' Asante MBE and choreographer Kenrick 'H2O' Sandy MBE, co-founders of hip-hop dance group Boy Blue who worked with Danny on the Olympics opening ceremony.

There is huge pressure on the team to deliver an opening event that will match the scale and ambition of the new venue, which is run by Factory International and cost £240m to build, the largest cultural investment in the UK since Tate Modern over 20 years ago.

Danny Boyle and his team's dance spectacular opens Manchester's breathtaking new venue

We go behind the scenes to eavesdrop on rehearsals and meet Danny and his creative team. We discover that unlike a film, where the director can have complete control, the creation of Free Your Mind is a collaborative effort. We hear from other members of the team including composer Michael ‘Mikey J' Asante MBE and choreographer Kenrick 'H2O' Sandy MBE, co-founders of hip-hop dance group Boy Blue, who worked with Danny on the Olympics opening ceremony.

There is huge pressure on the team to deliver an opening event that will match the scale and ambition of the new venue, which is run by Factory International and cost £240m to build, the largest cultural investment in the UK since Tate Modern over 20 years ago.

(Image: Danny Boyle. Credit: Tim P Whitby/Getty Images)

Creating a dance spectacular to launch Manchester's new venue

Danny Boyle returns to his home town of Manchester in the north west of England to direct a hip-hop dance spectacular to open a breathtaking new venue, Aviva Studios.

The documentary captures Wigan's creative process, from conceptualization to execution, as he embarks on the creation of a new piece

The miniature world of Willard Wigan

Dr Willard Wigan MBE creates the smallest handmade sculptures in the world. He uses high powered microscopes and custom-made tools formed from shards of diamond, hypodermic needles, and paintbrushes made from eyelashes.

What truly sets Willard apart is his unique use of his own heartbeat. By working between breaths, he uses his pulse as a jackhammer to chip away at material. The work requires extreme levels of concentration, and he frequently works through the night to avoid vibrations.

Willard's talent and determination propelled him to international acclaim. His work sells for six-figure sums, and he has exhibited internationally. However, his path to success has been far from easy. As a schoolboy, he struggled with reading and writing due to unrecognised autism, his teachers dismissed him, and he endured routine bullying and racism.

Willard's latest sculpture, a tribute to Charles Darwin, is crafted on the end of a pencil – a canvas rich in symbolism. For Darwin the pencil was crucial for sketching his revolutionary ideas on evolution that would forever change our understanding of life. For Willard, it holds personal significance. Despite struggling to read or write his new sculpture represents his triumph over adversity.

Dualtagh Herr steps into the minuscule universe of the acclaimed sculptor, where art meets the microscopic. He follows Willard's meticulous process as he pushes the boundaries of art, science and patience to craft a new piece that challenges our perception of scale.

The world-renowned micro-sculptor carves a tribute to Charles Darwin

World-renowned micro-sculptor Willard Wigan carves a tribute to Charles Darwin.

David Chipperfield is a world-renowned, Pritzker prize-winning architect with major buildings in cities across the globe from Berlin to Beijing. But with a long career behind him, he has changed the emphasis and ambition of his practice. Susan Marling joins him in Compostela in Galicia, northern Spain, as he opens a handsome new home for his foundation.

The Casa Ria, in a converted health sanitorium in the centre of town, is about looking at architecture differently. It's not about designing and building new buildings, but about improving people's quality of life. Working in a series of coastal and rural towns north of Compostela, David and the team address issues of town planning – to bring public space back into focus, to reconnect communities with the sea, and to deal with traffic that pollutes town centres and makes them dangerous. David believes that his holistic and sustainable approach can be scaled up and become a benchmark internationally.

Image: David Chipperfield (Credit: Fay Sweet)

World-renowned architect David Chipperfield embarks on an innovative new project

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

World-renowned architect David Chipperfield embarks on an innovative new project in Galicia, northern Spain.

David Chipperfield is a world renowned, Pritzker prize winning architect with major buildings in cities across the globe from Berlin to Beijing. But with a long career behind him he has changed the emphasis and ambition of his practice. For ‘In the Studio'. Susan Marling joins him in Compostela in Galicia , northern Spain as he opens a handsome new home for his foundation.

The Casa Ria, in a converted health sanitorium in the centre of town, is about looking at architecture differently . It's not about designing and building new buildings – rather it's about improving people's quality of life. Working in a series of coastal and rural towns north of Compostela David and the team address issues of town planning – to bring public space back onto focus, to re-connect communities with the sea and to deal with traffic that pollutes town centres and makes them dangerous. It looks like small beer after the huge international projects that are Chipperfield's signature to date but David believes that his holistic and sustainable approach – to unite the stakeholders to make better places - can be scaled up and become a benchmark internationally.

World renowned architect David Chipperfield.

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Erdem Moralıoğlu is one of the UK's most admired and creative fashion designers. Born in Canada to a Turkish father and British mother, he studied fashion at the Royal College of Art and went on to found his eponymous label in 2005. He has dressed the Princess of Wales, Michelle Obama and Nicole Kidman.

His Spring Summer 2024 collection was inspired by the the late Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, also known as Debo, one of the famous Mitford sisters: the ‘It' girls of the 1930s and 40s. The Duchess, along with her husband, Andrew Cavendish, the 11th Duke of Devonshire were instrumental in bringing to life Chatsworth House, an estate in Derbyshire that is one the UK's greatest stately homes and a huge tourist attraction.

This collection was based on the clothes and archive of the Dowager Duchess. Working closely with Susie Stokoe, Head of Textiles at Chatsworth, Erdem has drawn on his own designs and many of the Duchess' clothes and created an exhibition called Imaginary Conversations. The inspiration for this title was conceived because Erdem never met the late Duchess Debo and the result imagines a dialogue the two of them may have had about her clothes and objects that she loved.

Belinda Naylor goes to Erdem's studio in East London to discuss the inspirations around this collection and visits Chatsworth House to observe the installation of the exhibition. Erdem also reveals the muse behind his Spring Summer 2025 collection, along with the importance of textiles, tailoring and his other inspirations from art and literature.

Producer: Belinda Naylor

Executive Producer: Andrea Kidd

Photo: Erdem Moralıoğlu (Credit: Tom Mannion)

Designer Erdem on taking inspiration from powerful women in culture for his collections

Erdem Moralıoğlu is one of the UK's most admired and creative fashion designers. Born in Canada to a Turkish father and British mother, he studied fashion at the Royal College of Art and went on to found his eponymous label in 2005. He has dressed the Princess of Wales, actors Keira Knightly, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Clare Foy. His latest muse is the late Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, also known as Debo, one of the famous Mitford sisters; the ‘It' girls of the 1930's and 40's. The Duchess, along with her husband, Andrew Cavendish, the 11th Duke of Devonshire were instrumental in bringing to life Chatsworth House, an estate in Derbyshire that is one the UK's greatest stately homes and a huge tourist attraction.

Erdem's 2024 Spring Summer collection was based on the clothes and archive of the Dowager Duchess. Working closely with Susie Stokoe, Head of Textiles, Chatsworth, he has taken this collection and many of the Duchess's clothes and created an exhibition called Imaginary Conversations. The inspiration for this title was conceived because Erdem never met the late Duchess Debo and has created a collection based on a dialogue between herself and her clothes and objects that she loved.

Belinda Naylor goes to Erdem's studio in East London to discuss the inspirations around this collection and visits Chatsworth House to observe the installation of the exhibition. Erdem also reveals the inspiration behind his upcoming Spring Summer 2025 collection, along with the importance of textiles, tailoring and his other inspirations from art and literature.

[LISTEN NOW]

As she celebrates 30 years in the fashion business, the BBC's Rachel Royce follows Maria as she creates her new collection for her autumn-winter season 2024. From design sketches and colour palettes, to draping fabric over mannequins, Maria then always tries the garments on herself and her team before finalising every piece.

Maria knew she wanted to be a fashion designer from the age of eight and her own teenage insecurities about her body has influenced her desire to make fashion that enhances the female form.

Presenter/producer: Rachel Royce

Executive producer: Andrea Kidd

(Photo: Maria Grachvogel. Credit: BBC)

Maria Grachvogel shares her passion for creating outfits and working with Victoria Beckham

British fashion designer Maria Grachvogel shares her passion for creating outfits, working with Spice Girl Victoria Beckham and how she is celebrating 30 years in the industry.

As she celebrates 30 years in the fashion business, the BBC's Rachel Royce follows Maria as she creates her new collection for her Autumn/winter season 2024. From design sketches and colour palettes, to draping fabric over mannequins, Maria then always tries the garments on herself and her team before finalising every piece.

Presented and produced by Rachel Royce.

Executive producer: Andrea Kidd.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

Iryna's husband, Artem Chekh, is a well-known novelist and journalist. He volunteered to join the army and found himself in Bakhmut, scene of some of the bloodiest fighting. For five days Iryna did not know if he was alive or dead. She is focusing on the anguish she felt over this period and using a series of flashbacks to illustrate their past lives in peacetime.

Iryna tells Lucy Ash that to give herself more artistic freedom she has decided on a radical new tool for her work: this film will be an animation. Making films in wartime is a challenge and animation is expensive but Iryna has foreign backers and is determined to tell her own story in her own way.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

Iryna's husband, Artem Chekh, is a well-known novelist and journalist. He volunteered to join the army and found himself in Bakhmut, scene of some of the bloodiest fighting. For five days Iryna did not know if he was alive or dead. She is focusing on the anguish she felt over this period and using a series of flashbacks to illustrate their past lives in peacetime.

Iryna tells Lucy Ash that to give herself more artistic freedom she has decided on a radical new tool for her work: this film will be an animation. Making films in wartime is a challenge and animation is expensive but Iryna has foreign backers and is determined to tell her own story in her own way.

Presented and produced by Lucy Ash

Executive Producer: Andrea Kidd for the BBC World Service

(Photo: Iryna Tsilyk. Credit: Julia Weber)

How the war is transforming the work of this Ukrainian documentary maker

Iryna Tsilyk has won awards for her documentaries in east Ukraine. However after Russia's full-scale invasion she's decided to tell her own story in a new way - through animation.

Ghawgha's single of 2019 ‘I Kiss You Amid the Taliban' celebrated the hard-gained freedoms of the new generation in Afghanistan before the Taliban takeover in 2021 and Kawoon Khamoosh follows Ghawgha as she works on and records her new album called Qaf. Qaf refers to a mysterious mountain that exists in legends where the mythological bird Simurgh had her nest and Ghawgha has been working with both poets from Afghanistan, as well as writing her own lyrics.

Qaf is a very personal album, sung in Farsi, that depicts her own physically and emotionally difficult journey from Afghanistan to Europe, as well as reflecting others affected by war, discrimination and migration.

Presenter and reporter: Kawoon Khamoosh. Produced by Andrea Kidd for the BBC World Service.

Producer: Andrea Kidd

Ghawgha shares how her personal story has led her from Afghanistan to Europe

Ghawgha is a vocalist from Afghanistan who explores identity, displacement and the struggles of her people. For her new album she creates songs reflecting her own personal journey

In The Studio follows Helle as she faces her biggest challenge yet - designing one of America's largest natural playgrounds, at Colene Hoose School in Normal, Illinois.

Landscape architect Helle Nebelong designs one of America's largest natural playgrounds

In the Studio follows Helle as she faces her biggest challenge yet - designing one of America's largest natural playgrounds, at Colene Hoose School in Normal, Illinois.

Presenter: Poppy Sebag-Montefiore

Executive Producer: Stephen Hughes

(Image: Helle Nebelong. Credit: Courtesy of Helle Nebelong)

The Danish landscape architect takes on a major challenge in Illinois

Landscape architect Helle Nebelong designs one of America's largest natural playgrounds.

Performing the 24-song cycle that Franz Schubert wrote at the end of his short life, Die Winterreise, or the Winter's Journey, is considered the pinnacle of the recital repertoire, even for such accomplished musicians. The trust between singer and pianist must be absolute, because the two performers are, in Volle's words, “naked and pure on stage ?. Deutsch and Volle have a 20-year friendship and working partnership to build on, a musical connection that brings them together to perform this “summit ? of singing over and over again.

Yet their next performance will be something out of the ordinary. They are undertaking a staged performance at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, in Barcelona. The musicians will be joined by actresses on the stage, photographs accompanying the music, and newly developed poems interspersed between songs. How will the staging affect the relationship between singer and pianist, and how will it impact the music? Writer and journalist Lluís Amiguet joins rehearsals in Barcelona to find out.

Image: Helmut Deutsch (Credit: Kartal Karagedik) and Michael Volle (Credit: David Ruano)

An acclaimed pianist and baritone tackle Franz Schubert's song cycle

Pianist Helmut Deutsch and baritone Michael Volle prepare to stage Franz Schubert's song cycle Die Winterreise at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona.

Performing the 24-song cycle that Franz Schubert wrote at the end of his short life, Die Winterreise, or the Winter's Journey, is considered the pinnacle of the recital repertoire, even for such accomplished musicians. The trust between singer and pianist must be absolute, because the two performers are, in Volle's words, “naked and pure on stage ?. Deutsch and Volle have a 20-year friendship and working partnership to build on- a musical connection that brings them together to perform this “summit ? of singing over and over again.

Yet their next performance will be something out of the ordinary. They are undertaking a staged performance at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, in Barcelona. The musicians will be joined by actresses on the stage, photographs accompanying the music, and newly developed poems interspersed between songs. How will the staging affect the relationship between singer and pianist, and how will it impact the music? Writer and journalist Lluís Amiguet joins rehearsals in Barcelona to find out.

Journalist Llu\u00eds Amiguet joins Deutsch and Volle for rehearsals of Die Winterreise

Journalist Lluís Amiguet joins Deutsch and Volle for rehearsals of Die Winterreise at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, in Barcelona.

But why does a city need a chief design officer in the first place, and what can design do to boost wellbeing?

Erika Benke joins Hanna as she searches for new pioneering opportunities that have the potential to change people's lives. They visit a vast decommissioned power plant, inviting local people to share their views on how to give an industrial facility, that's served its purpose, a new lease of life.

They also go to an old playground that's about to undergo a big transformation, creating a new themed playground where children can learn about computing, algorithms and AI while crawling on their hands and knees, and without a single computer or smartphone screen in sight.

As Hanna travels across the city, we'll hear her plotting, planning and exploring ideas and infecting others with her passion for design, in order to improve the quality of life for Helsinki's communities.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

But why does a city need a chief design officer in the first place, and what can design do to boost wellbeing?

Erika Benke joins Hanna as she searches for new pioneering opportunities that have the potential to change people's lives. They visit a vast decommissioned power plant, inviting local people to share their views on how to give an industrial facility, that's served its purpose, a new lease of life.

They also go to an old playground that's about to undergo a big transformation, creating a new themed playground where children can learn about computing, algorithms and AI while crawling on their hands and knees, and without a single computer or smartphone screen in sight.

As Hanna travels across the city, we'll hear her plotting, planning and exploring ideas and infecting others with her passion for design, in order to improve the quality of life for Helsinki's communities.

Presented and produced by Erika Benke for the BBC World Service.

(Photo: Hanna Harris. Credit: Teina Ryynänen)

How Helsinki's design boss creates a vibrant environment for a diversifying city

Hanna Harris, Helsinki's chief design officer, tells us about her role and takes us to an industrial site and an old playground to show what design can do to benefit the city.

For her latest series, Cressida explores teenage magic and Iron Age warriors. As she works on the illustrations for the second book in this new trilogy, The Wizards of Once: Twice Magic, she gives fellow children's author Michael Rosen an insight into how she creates these worlds.

From enchanted keys and philosophical giants to unlikely friends coming together to defeat evil witches, she explains what continues to inspire her about the legends and ancient sites of the British Isles, why creating maps of her imagined lands are vital to her writing and the importance of having a bed in her writing shed.

(Image of author Cressida Cowell)

Cressida Cowell explores the magical world of magic and Iron Age warriors

Ian Rankin has been called “the king of crime fiction”. His Inspector Rebus books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, translated into 37 languages. And yet, as he embarks on writing the next in his series, he reveals that “sitting down and actually writing the books is hard - and it's not getting any easier.” Where does he begin – and where might the series end?

For two episodes of In the Studio, recorded across Scotland over several months, we follow Ian Rankin as he gets his next novel into shape.

An Overcoat Media production.

Image: Ian Rankin (Credit: Steve Urquhart)

Crime novelist Ian Rankin begins writing his latest Inspector Rebus novel

Ian Rankin embarks on his latest Inspector Rebus crime novel, but reveals that “sitting down and actually writing the books is hard - and it's not getting any easier.”

For two episodes of In the Studio, recorded across Scotland over several months, Writer Andy Martin follows Ian Rankin as he gets his next novel into shape.

Presenter: Andy Martin

Producer: Steve Urquhart

Executive producer: Steven Rajam

An Overcoat Media production for BBC World Service

(Image: Ian Rankin. Credit: Steve Urquhart)

[LISTEN NOW]

Ian Rankin is on a deadline to complete his next Inspector Rebus thriller. He's happy with the first draft – “at the moment, it is perfect!” – but what will others make of it?

“I have notes, feedback, from my wife, my UK editor, my US editor and my agent. And I haven't looked at any of them - ”

In the second of two episodes of In the Studio recorded across Scotland over several months, we follow the bestselling crime writer to the remote, coastal town of Cromarty. He comes here to escape reality, and to write without distraction. But on this occasion, there's a crime fiction festival taking place. Will he get any work done?

After 25 Rebus novels, Ian considers what might be next for his most enduring character - and for himself.

Presenter: Andy Martin

Image: Ian Rankin (Credit: Steve Urquhart)

Ian Rankin is on a deadline to complete his next Inspector Rebus thriller. How does a bestselling crime writer breathe new life into his most enduring character?

In the second of two programmes recorded across Scotland over several months, writer Andy Martin follows the bestselling crime writer to the remote, coastal town of Cromarty. He comes here to escape reality, and to write without distraction. But on this occasion, there is a crime fiction festival taking place. Will he get any work done?

Producer: Steve Urquhart

Executive Producer: Steven Rajam

An Overcoat Media production for BBC World Service

(Image: Ian Rankin. Credit: Steve Urquhart)

[LISTEN NOW]

And yet, as he embarks on writing the next in his series, he reveals that “sitting down and actually writing the books is hard - and it's not getting any easier.”

Where does he begin – and where might the series end?

For two episodes of ‘In the Studio', recorded across Scotland over several months, we follow Ian Rankin – literally – as he beats his next novel into submission.

An Overcoat Media production.

We follow Ian Rankin as he embarks upon his next series of books

[LISTEN NOW]

Sir Ian Rankin is on a deadline to complete his next Inspector Rebus thriller. He's happy with the first draft – “at the moment, it is perfect!” – but what will others make of it?

In this, the second of two episodes of ‘In the Studio' recorded across Scotland over several months, we follow the bestselling crime writer to the remote, coastal town of Cromarty.

He comes here to escape reality, and to write without distraction. But on this occasion, there's a crime fiction festival taking place. Will he get any work done?!

And, after twenty-five Rebus novels, Ian considers what might be next for his most enduring character - and for himself.

Presenter: Andy Martin

How does a bestselling crime writer breathe new life into his most enduring character?

[LISTEN NOW]

And what's more, the pair were also doing all this entirely off-shore! Aboard a steel barge moored on a stretch of London canal where Peter also lives.

Painstakingly, for months and then years, the narrow living space of Nightjar was reinvented as a studio, slowly bringing to life a story about an astronomer, who embarks on a fantastic voyage hurtling into the universe on his sailboat. In the process – keeping costs down and using all materials at their disposal - they became especially good at special effects. Crumbled toilet paper delivers a dust they use to create constellations, the junkshop antique parts of a watchmaker form a golden telescope, all in dreamlike landscapes assembled from Peter's delicately created artwork.

Finally the film is finished – and has won 7 international awards (and counting).

This edition of the In The Studio takes listeners on board ‘Studio Nightjar' to look at the multiplane at work. Using conversations, audio-diaries, and sounds of canal-life it's a frame-by-frame immersion in the crafting of an animation that became no less than an obsession to its makers, through record-breaking heatwaves and rainstorms.

Presenter/producer: Antonia Quirke

Executive producer: Stephen Hughes

(Photo: Peter Beatty. Credit: Oliver Twitchett)

Artist and film-maker Peter Beatty turns his barge into a film studio

Artist and film-maker Peter Beatty turns his barge into a film studio and builds his own multi-plane camera for his next music video.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

After growing up with the ancient myths and folk tales of India, he studied Animation Film Design at India's National Institute of Design and began to create his own visual versions of Hindu mythology, including his graphic novels Purnam – Stories and Wisdom of the Feminine Divine, and Namaha – Stories from the Land of Gods and Goddesses. He was also the visual artist and co-creator for Deepak Chopra and Shekhar Kapur's Ramayana 3392 A.D, published by Virgin Comics and visual artist for Kali and Shiva in the India Authentic Series.

Abhishek has long included environmental themes in his work, but after travelling round the mountains and forests of India, and spending time with elephants in particular, he realised that most mythic tales concern kings and queens and battles, all about humans and human activity. He decided it was time to create a new non-human mythology for a change, one which centres on our vulnerable environment and the animals who live within it. He's calling it The Hymns of Medhini.

Paul Waters joins him in Delhi as he paints one of his pictures to include in his new graphic novel.

Presenter and producer: Paul Waters

Executive producer: Andrea Kidd

(Photo: Abhishek Singh. Credit: Abhishek Singh)

Abhishek Singh creates a new animal and environment-centred mythology

Indian artist and graphic novelist Abhishek Singh takes elephants as his inspiration for a new mythology centred on animals and nature.

Mark Reid visits a school in Bulgaria where they are teaching their pupils how to make movies. The school is in a small village called Dermantsi, which is 200 kilometres from the capital Sofia. Mark meets their inspirational teacher, Daniel Simeonov and film-maker Maria Dacheva. She is there to help the children make a short film for a project called Le Cinema Cent Ans De Jeunesse, which has been going for almost 30 years. Children from all around the world take part in this programme, from countries as disparate as Japan, Argentina, the United Kingdom and France. Thousands of films have been made by tens of thousands of students.

At the end of the school year, pupils from around the world gather to watch each other's films. And to comment upon them. This year they are meeting in Lisbon. The pupils from Dermantsi have to decide which of their films to show there: their film about the local tattoo parlour, the weekly market, the sewing factory, the school bus ride, or a short documentary about their local horse market, which features a dancing horse.

Presenter: Mark Reid

Producer: Stephen Hughes

Mark Reid visits a school in Bulgaria where they teach their pupils how to make movies.

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

Mark Reid reports on a ground-breaking scheme to teach pupils from all around the world how to make movies. And then gather to watch and comment on each other's work.

[LISTEN NOW]

Ishmael Reed is one of America's greatest and most prolific living writers - but aged 86 he is writing his first music.

Lindsay Johns travels to his home in Oakland, California, to join his first recording session, and find out what motivates him to keep writing.

Between his home, his local bookstore, the city's downtown, restaurants and historical waterfront, Lindsay understands how much this city, and the West Coast spirit continues to animate Reed's writing, and his literary activism.

Ishmael Reed, one of America's greatest living writers, writes his first music aged 86

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

Ishmael Reed is one of America's greatest and most prolific living writers. Now, aged 86, he is writing his first music. Lindsay Johns joins his first recording session.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

[LISTEN NOW]

(Photo: Ivo van Hove. Credit: Jan Versweyveld)

Inside the creative mind of one of the world's most celebrated theatre directors

Inside the creative mind of Ivo van Hove, one of the world's most celebrated theatre directors.

Ivo van Hove is the most sought after theatre director in the world. We join him in Paris and London and Amsterdam where he works on productions that are often 'maximal' - big musicals, operas and dramas such as 'The Damned' but where he also loves to create 'minimal' intimate dramas - The Glass Menagerie or A Little Life - that are beautifully observed. How does van Hove work? Why are actors of the calibre of James Norton and Isabel Huppert (who appear in the programme) so willing to work with him ? And what drives his relentless thirst to bring new experiences to the theatre audience?

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

Ivo van Hove is the most sought-after theatre director in the world. We join him in Paris, London and Amsterdam, where he works on productions that are often maximal - big musicals, operas and dramas such as The Damned - but where he also loves to stagte minimal intimate dramas, such as The Glass Menagerie or A Little Life. How does van Hove work? Why are actors of the calibre of James Norton and Isabel Huppert so willing to work with him? And what drives his relentless thirst to bring new experiences to the theatre audience?

Image: Ivo van Hove (Credit: Jan Versweyveld)

Jenn is joined in her Taipei studio by Lucy Collingwood as she reaches the final stages of a collection that's been many months in the making. Surrounded by sewing machines and a snooker table repurposed into a large fabric cutting table. Jenn shares her influences and attention to detail – from the running order of her catwalk show, finalising the looks on mannequins, to adding handmade accessories made of recycled zips and ribbons and choosing which eye catching creation should kick start the show.

Jenn takes us to one of the places that informs her work, the Fu He Bridge Flea Market, where items from used bicycle chains to second hand motorbike jackets can end up as integral parts of her high end garments.

For the catwalks of fashion weeks, Jenn is also planning something a little unusual. As well as her striking garments made in bold colours and hand-dyed fabrics, she's also creating a digital version of her designs and collaborating on a game featuring characters who embody the themes behind her show.

We share Jenn's creative journey from Taipei to backstage at her London Fashion Week catwalk show as the audience reacts as her collection is finally revealed.

Producer: Lucy Collingwood

Exec Producer: Andrea Kidd

(Photo: Jen Lee. Credit: BBC)

Taking inspiration from the flea markets of Taipei to show on the catwalks of London

Jennifer Walshe is one of the world's most fêted contemporary classical composers. Strange objects and the mundane materials of life are central to Walshe's music, whether it's a recipe book, skateboarding, or food packaging. Walshe is now developing a major work for the Irish National Opera, which will be set on Mars.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

[LISTEN NOW]

Jennifer Walshe is one of the world's most fêted contemporary classical composers. Strange objects and the mundane materials of life are central to Walshe's music, whether it's a recipe book, skateboarding, or food packaging. Walshe is now developing a major work for the Irish National Opera, which will be set on Mars.

Jennifer Walshe is one of the world's most f\u00eated contemporary classical composers.

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

[LISTEN NOW]

[LISTEN NOW]

Dublin-born Jennifer Walshe is one of the world’s most bold and imaginative contemporary classical composers, and holds the prestigious post of professor of composition at Oxford University. Whether it’s Barbie dolls or recipe books, the mundane and strange materials of life are central to Walshe’s work. Now, for the Irish National Opera, she's developing a major new work set on Mars.

Walshe’s opera will respond to astrophysics data, Martian meteorites, trashy sci-fi, eco-anxiety in young people, and tech billionaires’ obsession with conquering space. Broadcaster Katie Derham tracks Walshe as she launches into the project, with months of immersive intergalactic research. Derham then finds Walshe in her North London home studio, trying to turn Mars into music.

This creative journey is a long one. Expect some bumps on the ride.

Producer: Jude Shapiro
Executive producer: Jack Howson
A Peanut & Crumb production for BBC World Service

Image: Jennifer Walshe (Credit: Michèl Schiwôn)

Celebrated composer Jennifer Walshe creates a new opera set on Mars

Inside the brains of the world\u2019s most creative people

His artwork may last as little as ten minutes before the sea washes it away, but his sculptures are not meant to last; his art is a testament to the beauty found in the ephemeral moment.

Jon's work is not defined by meticulous planning, and he rarely has a fully formed idea in his head before he reaches the beach. He allows the environment on the day to guide his creative instincts.

From the ancient tools he uses to create his sculptures to the modern technology he employs to capture it; we follow Jon's creative process as he takes us to his favourite location to work - the pristine beach of Lindsway Bay on the Pembrokeshire coast, West Wales. Jon considers his work to be a collaboration with nature. However, it is nature itself which threatens to erase his work before it is even complete. With the tide fast approaching and mere minutes before the artwork is swept away, will he manage to complete the work in time? We listen to the artists race against natures clock.

Presented by Dualtagh Herr.

The creative process of Land Artist Jon Foreman as he makes new work in Pembrokeshire.

Land Artist Jon Foreman takes us behind the scenes of his new sculpture created on the pristine beach of Lindsway Bay on the Pembrokeshire coast, West Wales.

Sports Banger is a fashion house, rave organisation, and London community centre run by Jonny Banger. The cornerstone of their work is bootleg T-shirts which mix satire and humour with a sportswear aesthetic.

One of Sports Banger's best-known t-shirts features two very different and well-known brands - the Nike and the UK's National Health Service. In 2020, this simple T-shirt became highly-coveted. Selling out in minutes on limited runs during the height of the UK's COVID lockdowns, Jonny Banger used the proceeds to set up a food bank in his neighbourhood, feeding 160 families every week for two years. Despite this blending of fashion and community action, Jonny doesn't refer to himself as an activist; he struggles to call himself an artist.

Poet Talia Randall meets Jonny in his studio - Maison de Bang Bang - at a turning point in his career. After a decade of DIY fashion shows, raves and viral T-shirts, Jonny is trying to figure out who he is, what to call himself and where he's going.

Producer/Presenter: Talia Randall

Executive producer: Kate Holland

A Storyglass production for BBC World Service

Jonny Banger is an artist who blurs the lines between fashion, music and activism

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

Jonny Banger is an opinionated and passionate artist who blurs the lines between fashion, music and activism - online and from his North London studio, Maison de Bang Bang.

Jonny Banger is an opinionated and passionate artist who blurs the lines between fashion, music and activism - online and from his North London studio, Maison de Bang Bang. In this edition of In the Studio, Jonny invites poet and presenter Talia Randall to follow him and his work. She discovers how Jonny Banger takes inspiration from rave culture, his love for bootlegging, and how he finds creativity amongst chaos and community.

Follow Jonny Banger as he blurs the line between fashion, music and activism

[LISTEN NOW]

The shooting starts on The Old Oak and Sharuna Sagar is there to witness Ken Loach's unique style of directing. Throughout his career from Kes to The Wind That Shakes The Barley to I, Daniel Blake, the 87-year-old film-maker does not like to tell the cast what is going to happen in the next scene. He explains his reasons, while star Dave Turner reveals what it is like to be surprised every day on set.

Presented by Sharuna Sagar.

Executive produced by Stephen Hughes.

(Photo: Ken Loach. Credit: Courtesy of Ken Loach)

On set with Ken Loach as the shooting starts on The Old Oak

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

On set with Ken Loach as the shooting starts on The Old Oak.

[LISTEN NOW]

These are the ideas that set Kuma apart from his peers, and the reason why Time magazine named him the world's most influential architect in 2021. Kuma's mission has manifested in so many iconic buildings around the world, including China's Folk Art Museum, the V&A in Scotland, and Japan's National Stadium, built for the 2020 Olympics. Kuma's work also extends to “micro-architecture ?, encompassing pens and sustainable sneakers, among other things.

Broadcaster Nick Luscombe follows Kuma to Japan's oldest and largest lake, and to the ancient capital of Otsu, to observe an unusual project. Kuma is attempting to represent the history of the area not by constructing a new building, but by creating a monument to a legendary cow. Along the way we hear from Chief Priest Fuke of Mii-dera Temple, and philosopher/writer Seigo Matsuoka.

Nick Luscombe follows one of the world's finest architects as he plans an unusual monument

Time magazine named him the world's most influential architect in 2021. Kuma's mission has manifested in iconic buildings including China's Folk Art Museum, the V&A in Scotland, and Japan's National Stadium, built for the 2020 Olympics. His work also extends to “micro-architecture ?, encompassing pens and sustainable sneakers, among other things.

Broadcaster Nick Luscombe follows Kuma to Japan's oldest and largest lake, and to the ancient capital of Otsu, to observe an unusual project. Kuma is attempting to represent the history of the area not by constructing a new building, but by creating a monument to a legendary cow. Along the way we hear from Chief Priest Fuke of Mii-dera Temple, and philosopher/writer Seigo Matsuoka.

Presenter/producer: Nick Luscombe

Executive producer: Jack Howson

A Peanut & Crumb production for BBC World Service

(Image: Kengo Kuma. Credit: Jack Howson)

One of the world's finest architects plans an unusual monument

Nick Luscombe follows Kengo Kuma, one of the world's finest architects, as he plans an unusual monument.

For this In The Studio, BBC arts journalist Anna Bailey follows Wangari as she creates her next immersive experience, a life-sized replica of her Nairobi studio where she invited 20 female domestic workers to a day of rest while also painting them for a new series of work which looks at the plight of female domestic workers in Kenya.

Wangari also invites listeners into her Chicago studio where she paints the next painting for the series. But as Anna finds out, rest is not only important to the workers but to Wangari herself.

Presenter and producer Anna Bailey

Executive producer Andrea Kidd.

Exploring the plight of female domestic workers in Kenya through art

Wangari Mathenge used to be a high-flying corporate lawyer before turning to her first love of art. She likes to express herself through her colourful palette, large-scale figurative paintings and immersive installations of places she has lived and worked.

For this In The Studio, arts journalist Anna Bailey follows Wangari as she creates her next immersive experience, a life-sized replica of her Nairobi studio, where she invited 20 female domestic workers to have a day of rest, while also painting them for a new series of work which looks at the plight of female domestic workers in Kenya.

Wangari also invites listeners into her Chicago studio, where she working on the next painting in the series. But as Anna finds out, rest is not only important to the workers but to Wangari herself.

We follow artist Wangari Mathenge as she paints a series of large portraits depicting female domestic workers in her native Kenya.

Originally from Cork, Ireland, Kieran now lives in Berlin where he plans and designs zoos across the globe. He lists milestone projects in countries including the UK, Denmark, South Korea, Uzbekistan, China, and Germany. From his studios in Berlin, we find Kieran overseeing multiple international projects including a major, and slightly mysterious, new zoo development in Gujarat, India, called simply 'Zoo India'.

Working with a multidisciplinary team including architects, landscape architects, interior designers and communication designers, it quickly becomes clear that design is just one element of a complex and fascinating process.

A Tandem production for BBC World Service

(Photo: Kieran Stanley. Credit: Dan Pearlman)

Behind the scenes with Zoo designer Kieran Stanley

Behind the scenes with Zoo designer Kieran Stanley who has created some of the world's most impressive spaces to care for animals, including a new zoo in Gujarat, India.

This is Laurie's first record in six years, and she tells the story of renowned female aviator Amelia Earhart's tragic last flight in 1937. Earhart's plane disappeared without trace over the Pacific as she attempted to circumnavigate the globe. The fate of Amelia and her navigator Fred Noonan became one of the most enduring mysteries of the last century.

This 22-track album has been almost 25 years in the making, and Laurie has come to Miraval Studios in southern France to work with Emmy-winning sound engineer Damien Quintard. We take a front-row seat as they collaborate on a complex mix, which includes the Filharmonie Brno orchestra, a string trio and other solo musicians including Laurie on electric viola, vocals by Laurie herself and avant-garde singer Anohni.

Miraval was a famous recording studio in the '70s, '80s and '90s where rock bands like Pink Floyd, AC/DC, The Cure and Muse all came to record their albums. Damien was head-hunted by owner Brad Pitt to take the helm ahead of the studios reopening in 2022.

Producer: Victoria Ferran

A Just Radio production for BBC World Service

Image: Laurie Anderson (Credit: Ebru Yildiz)

One of America's most daring artists records a new album inspired by Amelia Earhart

We join American artist Laurie Anderson during the recording of Amelia, a new album inspired by Amelia Earhart's tragic last flight, at Miraval Studios in southern France.

This 22-track album has been almost 25 years in the making. And Laurie has come to Miraval Studios in southern France to work with Emmy-winning sound engineer Damien Quintard. We take a front row seat as they collaborate on a complex mix, which includes the Filharmonie Brno orchestra, a string trio and other solo musicians including Laurie on electric viola, vocals by Laurie herself and avant-garde singer Anohni.

We join American artist Laurie Anderson during the recording of her new album Amelia

We join American artist Laurie Anderson during the recording of her new album Amelia at the famous Miraval Studios in southern France.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

Behind the scenes with Laurie Anderson, the 2024 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, as she puts the finishing touches to her new album at the legendary Miraval studios in the south of France. This is her first new record in 6 years and is about the renowned female aviator Amelia Earhart's tragic last flight - it's been almost 25 years in the making. Working with her is Emmy-winning sound engineer Damien Quintard who was head-hunted by owner Brad Pitt to take the helm of the newly refurbished and redesigned studios.

Lenin first launched his career when his videos went viral on TikTok. Now, he is working on his second EP.

It is a sweltering day in bustling Lima, and presenter Martin Riepl heads up to the north of the city. Lenin's in his studio, wrestling with his new song, La Llaqta. Over the next five months, Martin follows this song's journey from initial concept to live performance. He visits Lenin at home, backstage, in a storyboarding meeting, and at a dance rehearsal, uncovering Lenin's process of fusing two very different musical styles.

Presenter: Martin Riepl

(Image: Lenin Tamayo. Credit: Yolanda Pinares)

Peruvian singer Lenin Tamayo, creator of Quechua pop, works on his next EP

Peruvian singer Lenin Tamayo, creator of Quechua pop, works on his next EP.

Lenin first launched his career when his videos went viral on TikTok. Now, he's working on his second EP.

It's a sweltering day in bustling Lima, and presenter Martin Riepl heads up to the North of the city. Lenin's in his studio, wrestling with his new song, ‘La Llaqta'. Over the next five months, Martin follows this song's journey from initial concept to live performance. He visits Lenin at home, backstage, in a storyboarding meeting, and at a dance rehearsal, uncovering Lenin's process of fusing two very different musical styles.

Presented by Martin Riepl

[LISTEN NOW]

The professional actors are from the same country as their characters, while the community cast have volunteered to participate in the project, having experienced mental health challenges themselves. They're women from underrepresented sections of the community in the East End of London, which is where some of the performances will take place.

‘Mad Women' is fighting the stereotypes and stigma of what it has historically meant to be a woman with mental health conditions, in different countries, through sometimes brutal conversations about sexuality, motherhood, gender oppression and the role of women in the arts, as artists and muses.

Felicity Finch follows Constanza as she and her international creative team collaborate and face the challenges of working with the two casts: juggling rehearsals, coping with a very tight deadline, while making sure they are sensitive to the needs of the four women in the understandably vulnerable community cast.

Constanza is also making plans to take her play and this unique way of working to different communities of women internationally, including her native Chile.

If you need support following anything you've heard in this episode, there's information at BBC.com/actionline

Presenter and Producer: Felicity Finch

Exec producer: Andrea Kidd

(Photo: Professional Cast of Mad Women. Credit: Héctor Manchego)

Constanza Hola Chamy directs two casts for her play about female artists with bipolar

As a unique creative experiment, Chilean director and playwright Constanza Hola Chamy is directing in parallel both a professional cast and a community cast of her new play Mad Women. Inspired by the lives and deaths of three outstanding Latin American artists with bipolar disorder: the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Chilean singer-songwriter and visual artist Violeta Parra and Columbian painter Judith Marquez, it weaves their struggles with mental health into three intertwined monologues.

The professional actors are from the same country as their characters, while the community cast have volunteered to participate in the project, having experienced mental health problems themselves. They're women from underrepresented sections of the community in the East End of London, which is where some of the performances will take place.

‘Mad Women' is fighting the stereotypes and stigma of what it has historically meant to be a woman with mental health issues, in different countries, through sometimes brutal conversations about sexuality, motherhood, gender oppression and the role of women in the arts, as artists and muses.

Kiran Gandhi, AKA Madame Gandhi, is an American artist, activist and producer who originally started out as a percussionist for popular British artist MIA, and American electronic music duo Thievery Corporation. She holds a masters degree in Music Science Technology at Stanford University and is on a mission to find innovative ways of using music to motivate and inspire people to care about climate change.

In 2022 she was invited to go to Antarctic to record the sounds of the icy continent with her own microphones, before going into the studio to create sounds from melting glaciers and loud gentoo penguins. The resulting project was a sample pack made in partnership with Sound MANA, as well as a track released called In Purpose, released with nature credited as an artist through Brian Eno's Earth Percent foundation, directing music royalties towards conservation efforts.

Tom Raine follows her journey recording brand new sounds, this time in the North Pole, where she'll hope to record everything from glaucous gulls, black-leg kittiwakes to common guillemots, as well as arctic foxes, seals and if we're lucky, some polar bears. We'll then return to her studio in London to see exactly how Kiran sculpts these sounds into hi-hats, kicks, snare drums, bass tones, and more - as well as hearing her thesis on how nature music can encourage people to care about climate change.

Image: Madame Gandhi (Credit: Lindsey Byrnes)

Musician, artist and activist Madame Gandhi makes music from the sounds of the Arctic.

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

[LISTEN NOW]

In this episode of In The Studio, Paralympian gold medallist Ellie Simmonds, explores what it takes to design and build a swimming pool, and asks why they are so important in a post-pandemic era.

We join award-winning Dutch architects, VenhoevenCS, as they sign off their biggest project to date (The Aquatic Centre for Paris 2024) and begin planning and designing a brand-new public pool.

Their lead architects will talk us through their plans for the new pool, looking at sustainability, accessibility and safety. We'll visit the site of the build and the offices, to eavesdrop on their planning meetings.

We'll also hear from British architect, author and swimming advocate Chris Romer Lee about the importance of public pools, and why he thinks more of us should be getting in to water.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

We join award-winning Dutch architects VenhoevenCS as they sign off their biggest project to date - the aquatic centre for Paris 2024 - and begin planning and designing a brand-new public pool. Their lead architects will talk us through their plans for the new pool, looking at sustainability, accessibility and safety. We'll visit the site of the build and the offices, to eavesdrop on their planning meetings.

We'll also hear from British architect, author and swimming advocate Chris Romer Lee about the importance of public pools, and why he thinks more of us should be getting into the water.

A Spiritland production

Image: Ellie Simmonds (Credit: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for the National Lottery) and the Hofbad swimming pool in Den Haag, the Netherlands, designed by VenhoevenCS

The Paralympic gold medallist follows the construction of a new public swimming pool

Manal gives Melissa Gronlund a sense of the importance of storytelling and being a memory keeper in a changing society. She also talks about her early work challenging the restrictions on women in Saudi Arabia, such as I Am, which questioned the way women were only allowed to perform certain roles in Saudi society. Melissa hears how one of the country's most established artists is navigating Saudi Arabia's new cultural scene.

Producers: Ashley Byrne, Melissa Gronlund and Danielle Manning

A Made in Manchester production for BBC World Service

Image: Manal AlDowayan's participatory workshops in AlUla (2023), part of Oasis of Stories for Wadi AlFann (Courtesy of Royal Commission for AlUla)

How one of Saudi Arabia's most established artists navigates its changing society

Art journalist Melissa Gronlund gives an insight into the work of internationally renowned Saudi artist Manal AlDowayan.

[LISTEN NOW]

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

Inside the brains of the world\u2019s most creative people

Lockdown presents a number of challenges, expected ones like social distancing and sick crew members. And unexpected ones, like studios being too full and staff being in short supply because more movies were being made during the pandemic, rather than less.

Maria kept an audio diary during these unprecedented times for the British film industry, as she battles with crew shortages, schedule changes and a possible bout of Covid.

Producing and reporting by Antonia Quirke

Executive Producer: Stephen Hughes for BBC World Service

The secrets of the production designer

Bottura is the leader of the culinary movement that sees food as edible art. His dishes are inspired by and dedicated to Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei, among other artists. He has even had his own exhibition at Paris' Palais des Beaux-Arts.

Food journalist and cookbook author Emiko Davies spends a weekend in Modena with Bottura and his restauranteur wife Lara Gilmore. Davies goes behind the scenes of a working kitchen and gets behind the wheel of a sports car to discover how Bottura transforms his passion for art and design into novel ideas for unimaginable recipes.

Presenter: Emiko Davies

Producer: Jude Shapiro

Executive producer: Jack Howson

A Peanut & Crumb production for BBC World Service

Image: Massimo Bottura at Osteria Francescana (Credit: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images)

Go behind the scenes at one of the world's best and most creative restaurants

Massimo Bottura's Osteria Francescana, in the Italian town of Modena, has twice been named the world's best restaurant. Emiko Davies steps inside its kitchen.

Massimo Bottura's ‘Osteria Francescana' has twice been named the world's best restaurant. Situated in Bottura's hometown of Modena, a place renowned for racing cars and balsamic vinegar, the triple Michelin-starred establishment blends traditional Italian cooking with a truly avant-garde sense of design and creativity.

Food journalist and cookbook author Emiko Davies spends a weekend in Modena with Bottura and his restauranteur wife Lara Gilmore. Davies goes behind-the-scenes of a working kitchen and gets behind the wheel of a sports car to discover how Bottura transforms his passion for art and design into novel ideas for unimaginable recipes.

Go behind-the-scenes at one of the world's best and most creative restaurants.

The Los Angeles river has been a concrete channel since the 1930s, when the US Army Corps of Engineers decided to concrete over the original river for flood mitigation. Ever since then, the river has been regularly used as a symbol of dystopia and was the backdrop in a famous scene in The Terminator.

However, landscape architect and Studio-MLA founder Mia Lehrer (FALSA, Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects) wants to transform its reputation and revitalize the river, as it remains a waterway shared by millions. This will not be an easy task, however, as the river itself is still the property of the US Army Corps, and the river course crosses numerous bureaucratic boundaries at both the local and state level.

Presenter Alan Weedon meets Mia as she describes her vision to breathe new life into an American icon.

Presented and produced by Alan Weedon for the BBC World Service.

Mia Lehrer on the revitalisation of an American icon

However, landscape architect Mia Lehrer wants to transform its reputation and to revitalise the river, because it is still a waterway shared by millions. This will not be an easy task, however, as the river itself is still the property of the US Army Corps, and the river course crosses numerous bureaucratic boundaries at both the local and state level.

[LISTEN NOW]

[LISTEN NOW]

In his studio, an old schoolroom in the Scottish Highlands, sculptor Michael Visocchi is working on Commensalis, a huge work that will be installed thousands of miles away, in Grytviken, an abandoned whaling station on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. From 1904 to 1966 thousands of whales were slaughtered and butchered here. Whaling ships brought rats, which predated the seabirds, driving species to near- extinction. But now, with whaling ended and the rats eradicated, whales are returning, seal and bird populations are recovering. South Georgia is an ecology in recovery.

Whaling ships and equipment were taken to Grytviken and harboured there. Now it looks like an industrial scrapyard; ships rust on the shore, huge tanks decay behind. Millions of leftover rivets remain.

Visocchi was struck by the similarity of shape of these rivets and the bumps of the barnacles on the bodies of living whales. The barnacles exist in a relationship between individuals of two species in which one obtains benefits from the other without either harming or benefiting the latter. This is known as commensalism, and gives Visocchi’s installation its name. Commensalis will comprise large steel ‘tables’ which echo the shape and rust colour of the
oil tanks. The tables, one for each species of whale that was taken, are dotted with patterns of polished rivets that represent the slaughtered whales.

We hear recordings Visocchi made on two visits to the remote island, the first for inspiration, the second to work out how to create and install the work among the seals and penguins. In his studio and a fabrication workshop so many miles away he talks to presenter Julian May as he works on this project which is challenging in so many ways – theoretically, technically, in time (three years so far) and even morally. South Georgia has no permanent population,
so is a public artwork appropriate? South Georgia has been sullied by people going there and leaving stuff behind. Isn’t, actually, Visocchi doing the same?

Presenter and Producer: Julian May

Sculptor Michael Visocchi\u2019s memorial to and celebration of the whales of Antarctica

Inside the brains of the world\u2019s most creative people

In his studio, an old schoolroom in the Scottish Highlands, sculptor Michael Visocchi is working on Commensalis, a huge work that will be installed thousands of miles away, in Grytviken, an abandoned whaling station on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. From 1904 to 1966 thousands of whales were slaughtered and butchered here. Whaling ships brought rats, which predated the seabirds, driving species to near- extinction. But now, with whaling ended and the rats eradicated, whales are returning, seal and bird populations are recovering. South Georgia is an ecology in recovery.

Whaling ships and equipment were taken to Grytviken and harboured there. Now it looks like an industrial scrapyard; ships rust on the shore, huge tanks decay behind. Millions of leftover rivets remain.

Visocchi was struck by the similarity of shape of these rivets and the bumps of the barnacles on the bodies of living whales. The barnacles exist in a relationship between individuals of two species in which one obtains benefits from the other without either harming or benefiting the latter. This is known as commensalism, and gives Visocchi's installation its name. Commensalis will comprise large steel ‘tables' which echo the shape and rust colour of the

oil tanks. The tables, one for each species of whale that was taken, are dotted with patterns of polished rivets that represent the slaughtered whales.

We hear recordings Visocchi made on two visits to the remote island, the first for inspiration, the second to work out how to create and install the work among the seals and penguins. In his studio and a fabrication workshop so many miles away he talks to presenter Julian May as he works on this project which is challenging in so many ways – theoretically, technically, in time (three years so far) and even morally. South Georgia has no permanent population,

so is a public artwork appropriate? South Georgia has been sullied by people going there and leaving stuff behind. Isn't, actually, Visocchi doing the same?

Presenter and Producer: Julian May

Sculptor Michael Visocchi's memorial to and celebration of the whales of Antarctica

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

In his studio, an old schoolroom in the Scottish Highlands, sculptor Michael Visocchi is working on Commensalis, a huge work that will be installed thousands of miles away, in Grytviken, an abandoned whaling station on the Antarctic island of South Georgia. From 1904 to 1966 thousands of whales were slaughtered and butchered here. Whaling ships brought rats, which predated the penguins and other seabirds. But now, with whaling ended and the rats eradicated, whales are returning, seal and bird populations recovering. South Georgia is an ecology in recovery.

Whaling ships and equipment were taken Grytviken and assembled there. Now it is an industrial scrapyard; ships rust on the shore, huge tanks decay behind. Millions of left over rivets remain.

Commensalis will comprise large steel ‘tables' which echo the shape and rust colour of the oil tanks. The tables, one for each species of whale that was taken, are dotted with patterns of polished rivets that represent the slaughtered whales.

We hear recordings Visocchi made on two visits to the remote island, the first for inspiration, the second to work out how to create and install the work among the seals and penguins. In his studio and a fabrication workshop so many miles away he talks to presenter Julian May as he works on this project which is challenging in so many ways – theoretically, technically, in time (three years so far) and even morally. South Georgia has no permanent population, so is a public artwork appropriate? South Georgia has been sullied by people going there and leaving stuff behind. Isn't, actually, Visocchi doing the same?

Sculptor Michael Visocchi's memorial to and celebration of the whales of the Antarctica

[LISTEN NOW]

In the Studio takes us into the minds of leading figures from the creative world.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

(Photo: Jodie McNee as Julia in The Minority Report. Credit: Marc Brenner)

Can a sci-fi classic become a success on stage?

Philip K. Dick's novella The Minority Report was adapted into a science fiction blockbuster by Steven Spielberg in 2002. More than 20 years later, it's coming to the stage.

[LISTEN NOW]

The artist Mohammad Barrangi represented Iran as a Paralympic sprinter before moving to the United Kingdom. Earlier this year, he had a major show at an art gallery in Leeds. Sahar Zand followed his process as he prepared his work for the exhibition and talked to Mohammad about his personal journey and how it's reflected in his art.

Mohammad Barangi on art, disability and migration

Inside the brains of the world\u2019s most creative people

He reveals how he managed to film on a smugglers' route between Iran and Afghanistan, and how he avoided the attentions of the Taliban. And he also reveals details of the documentary he is currently making about the return of the Taliban to Afghanistan.

Presented by Antonia Quirke

Produced by Stephen Hughes for BBC World Service

Mohsen Makhmalbaf on Kandahar

Mohsen Makhmalbaf takes us behind the scenes of the making of Kandahar which captured the world's attention when President Bush asked to see it after the attacks on 9/11

The Norwegian artist Edvard Munch is best known for his expressionist painting The Scream. A pastel version of it fetched $ 120 million when it was last auctioned in 2012, making it the most expensive piece of art ever sold at an auction.

Unlike previous Munch exhibitions, which have revolved around his psychology and biography, this exhibition, for the first time, looks at his landscape paintings, revealing a very different side of artist and showing the vivid colours he used.

Presenting this exhibition on both sides of the Atlantic: In the US, then in Germany and Norway, makes this ground breaking show open up to a wider audience. But what does it take for an exhibition to go on a journey? How does it change when moving to another venue with a different size and layout and what adjustments are made for the audience in a different country?

The Museum Barberini in Potsdam, Germany grants the BBC exclusive access to witness what happens behind closed doors, when art works worth millions move across countries and are installed when security measures are yet to be put in place.

Susan speaks to curator Jill Lloyd and reveals the people who act away from the limelight, but are the movers and shakers when it comes to getting a painting to on the road: the registrars of each museum and the couriers, often highly qualified paintings conservators, who are responsible for the art works their museum has lent to the exhibition.

Producer: Sabine Schereck

Executive Producer: Andrea Kidd

What it takes for an art exhibition on Edvard Munch to travel across two continents.

Arts journalist Susan Stone goes behind the scenes of the art exhibition Edvard Munch: Trembling Earth to find out what it takes for this show to travel to three countries.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

For multidisciplinary artist Nazanin Moradi, who was brought up in the Islamic Republic of Iran where women are, “second-class citizens in every sense, ? the answer is easy; she would start at the very beginning of “time ? to reverse the “unfair ? gender roles.

In her new project, the multidisciplinary artist challenges male domination and toxic masculinity, within a fragmented historical context where fantasy meets rebellion. She does this by changing the narrative of ancient Mesopotamian mythology, fixating on the legendary battle where the supremely powerful dragon goddess of oceans Tiamat, was killed by the storm god Marduk.

Over a period of six months, reporter Sahar Zand spends time with Nazanin at various locations in London to find out how she embarks on the ambitious project, and how it's affected by the protests in Iran, which take place as she nears the end of her work. Through the mediums of textile design, interpretive dance, digital editing, collage, painting and sculpture, Nazanin rebels against social conventions by using her own body through the creative process.

Sahar Zand meets artist Nazanin Moradi

Sahar Zand meets the multidisciplinary artist Nazanin Moradi as she challenges male domination, within a fragmented historical context where fantasy meets rebellion.

Sydney has the most recognisable opera house in the world, but some of the most innovative opera-making is happening at the other end of town, in the building where they used to build train carriages.

Sydney Chamber Opera, led by composer Jack Symonds, is a young, experimental collective of opera makers, collaborating with the established national company Opera Australia for the first time to bring Jack's epic Gilgamesh to the stage. Directed by Kip Williams, it's a new opera based on a very old story of queer desire, environmentalism, and dancing scorpions.

Ce Benedict follows Gilgamesh from pianos falling through floorboards in rehearsals, to Opera Australia's Artistic Director unexpectedly stepping down, through to the literal glitter of opening night with an alliance of artists committed to making new work in an industry full of museum pieces.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

[LISTEN NOW]

Jeff Lunden follows PAC NYC's artistic director Bill Rauch and his behind the scenes team, as they get the specially built, flexible theatres ready for their opening season.

We'll also be talking to some of the on stage creatives who've been commissioned to make works for this very special season, including theatre maker Bill T. Jones, whose piece Night Watch is about the shootings in a Black church in Charleston, South Carolina and a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Choreographer Annie-B Parsons talks about how it feels as a New Yorker to create her commission The March.

For many New Yorkers and also for people from across the world, the site remains a sacred space and we'll be hearing from Paula Berry, who lost her husband in the 9/11 attacks about why for her this arts center is on sacred ground and is a place to celebrate life.

Presenter and Producer: Jeff Lunden

Exec Producer: Andrea Kidd

(Photo: The Perelman Performing Arts Center, NYC. Credit: The BBC)

The opening of The Perelman Performing Arts Center built on the site of NY's Twin Towers

Jeff Lunden goes behind the scenes of PAC NYC, the arts centre built on the site of the World Trade Center in New York, as it prepares to open its door for the first time.

Fred D'Aguiar recovers and re-imagines his story, in several voices – including the horses. In this edition of In the Studio, Julian May meets D'Aguiar on the cusp. For The Unnamed is written and D'Aguiar explains how he is now preparing it for publication and his way of proof-reading. He is also feeling his way towards his next project, beginning a series of poetic studies of people he has known, people he has lost and people who inspire him. This is, tentatively, entitled Lives Studied.

D'Aguiar reveals his processes, how he begins, rising very early, taking his dog, Dexter, for a walk, drinking a coffee, then setting to. He speaks quickly, so writes always in longhand with a pen, to slow thought down, to consider. He speaks too of his reading and influences, for instance Robert Lowell and his collection ‘Life Studies'. For D'Aguiar the practice of writing is integral to his existence - writing is living.

Fred D'Aguiar on his collection For the Unnamed, inspired by a black jockey from 1852.

Fred D'Aguiar recovers and re-imagines his story, in several voices – including the horses. In this edition of In the Studio Julian May meets D'Aguiar on the cusp. For The Unnamed is written and D'Aguiar explains how he is now preparing it for publication and his way of proof-reading. He is also feeling his way towards his next project, beginning a series of poetic studies of people he has known, people he has lost and people who inspire him. This is, tentatively, entitled Lives Studied.

Presenter and Producer: Julian May

(Photo: Fred D'Aguiar. Credit: Courtesy of Fred D'Aguiar)

The poet Fred D'Aguiar explains how he finishes his book about an unnamed black jockey who wins a huge race, finds a new subject, a series of poetic portraits, and begins again.

Manal's early projects were set amid the backdrop of limitations being placed on women in her home country.

At her base in London, she tells Melissa about Esmi: My Name, her best known work where she collaborated with women to flout the convention against saying their names in public, asking each woman in her workshops to write their name on a prayer bead, which she then strings together and hangs from the ceiling in exhibitions

And Manal talks to Melissa about ‘I Am', where she wears the clothes of a traditional Bedouin female and holds up a blackboard stating her job, to signal the way that women were only allowed to perform certain roles in Saudi society

The discussion around these two projects will enable us to get a real understanding into the experiences of women in Saudi Arabia where there have been considerable restrictions on how they are allowed to live their lives over decades.

In following Manal's contemporary work, we will also get an understanding of the changes to the rights of women in Saudi. How far do they go? And how has her work changed as its context changes?

We will also hear about her role in the forthcoming Venice Biennale and reflect how Manal's work continues to change as her country and experiences of fellow women there continue to evolve.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

Now studio head Dom Matthews and his team are working on the sequel, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, which takes players to Viking-age Iceland. Melina returns as the embattled Senua, acting on a brand new, state-of-the-art performance capture stage. With a bigger budget and using cutting-edge software, Ninja Theory is developing a technically groundbreaking gaming experience. We join Dom, Melina and the rest of the team in Cambridge as they tell this next chapter of their story and prepare for the game's much-anticipated launch.

We follow the sequel to the award-winning Hellblade video game.

Now studio head Dominic Matthews and his team are working on the sequel, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, which takes players to Viking-age Iceland. Melina returns as the embattled Senua, acting on a brand new, state-of-the-art performance capture stage. With a bigger budget and using cutting-edge software, Ninja Theory is developing a technically groundbreaking gaming experience. Nathan Jones joins Dominic, Melina and the rest of the team in Cambridge as they tell this next chapter of their story and prepare for the game's much-anticipated launch.

Produced by Andrea Kidd for the BBC World Service.

(Photo: Senua's Saga. Credit: Microsoft)

Video game Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, featuring its female lead character with psychosis, was a huge success. Now the Ninja Theory team develop their groundbreaking sequel

The film follows a year in the life of 61-year-old African American, Adrian Spears. He certainly stands out in the sleepy Californian town where he makes a living shining shoes: dancing around with his bowler hat, starched shirt and bright red uniform. The film opens as he folds up the cardboard sheets he sleeps on at night and makes his way to the storage unit where he keeps clothes and an iron. Everything he owns is immaculately pressed, and it was partly his quiet dignity which drew Leonard to Adrian, and which resonates throughout the movie.

Leonard had thought his days in the movies business were over: he gave up his Hollywood career 30 years ago to retrain as a family therapist and through Adrian's story he has reclaimed his passion.

The BBC Producer, Sue Mitchell, came across Leonard's film whilst recording with a homeless man living just a few miles away. She was intrigued and began exploring the background to the film and examining why it was proving so popular with audiences.

Presented and produced: Sue Mitchell

A new documentary about homelessness by filmmaker, Leonard Manzella

Sue Mitchell explores a new documentary about homelessness with filmmaker, Leonard Manzella.

Sydney has the most recognisable opera house in the world, but some of the most innovative opera-making is happening at the other end of town, in the building where they used to build train carriages.

Sydney Chamber Opera, led by composer Jack Symonds, is a young, experimental collective of opera makers, collaborating with the established national company Opera Australia for the first time to bring Jack's epic Gilgamesh to the stage. Directed by Kip Williams, it's a new opera based on a very old story of queer desire, environmentalism, and dancing scorpions.

Ce Benedict follows Gilgamesh from pianos falling through floorboards in rehearsals, to Opera Australia's Artistic Director unexpectedly stepping down, through to the literal glitter of opening night with an alliance of artists committed to making new work in an industry full of museum pieces.

(Photo: Jeremy Kleeman in Gilgamesh. Credit: Daniel Boud)

Ce Benedict follows Sydney Chamber Opera's reimagining of the world's oldest poem

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

Ce Benedict follows Sydney Chamber Opera's reimagining of the world's oldest poem, Gilgamesh.

[LISTEN NOW]

The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, Our Lady of Paris, is one of France's most famous landmarks. It has stood on the Île de la Cité in the very heart of France's capital since the 12th century.

On 15th April 2019, it was engulfed by flames, but thanks to the bravery of hundreds of firefighters, Notre Dame remained standing. The devastation was, however, immense. The spire collapsed into the nave and the lead roof melted and evaporated. The lattice framework underneath it, made of a thousand oak beams known affectionately as The Forest, turned to charcoal and dust. Agnès Poirier has been given unique access behind the scenes, and she's been travelling around France, talking to some of the army of craftspeople from across the world, who have been painstakingly reconstructing and restoring Notre Dame to its former glory.

In part one, she travels to the Loire to see the work of two American carpenters Jackson du Bois and Michael Burrey, representatives of the U.S. Handshouse Studio: Notre Dame Project, who are helping to rebuild the spire. Agnès then visits Normandy where the famous bells are being restored to speak to Paul Bergamo and also where the iconic ornate cross, the only element on the roof to survive the fire, is being repaired by Vincent Combes and his team . Finally she comes face to face with a gargoyle, one of the stone creatures protecting the cathedral and finds out how to redesign the perfect beast.

Producer: Andrea Kidd

(Image: Notre Dame. Credit: Chesnot)

Following the craftspeople reconstructing this famous cathedral.

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was almost destroyed by fire in 2019. We follow the craftspeople from France and across the globe in their epic restoration of this iconic monument.

[LISTEN NOW]

The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, Our Lady of Paris, is one of France's most famous landmarks,

It's stood on the Île de la Cité in the very heart of France's capital since the 12th century.

On the 15th of April 2019, it was engulfed by flames, but thanks to the bravery of hundreds of firefighters, Notre-Dame remained standing. The devastation was, however, immense. The spire collapsed into the nave and the lead roof melted and evaporated. The lattice framework underneath it, made of a thousand oak beams known affectionately as The Forest, turned to charcoal and dust. Agnès Poirier has been given unique access behind the scenes, and she's been travelling around France, talking to some of the army of craftspeople from across the world, who have been painstakingly reconstructing and restoring Notre Dame to its former glory.

In part one, she travels to the Loire to see the work of two American carpenters Jackson du Bois and Michael Burrey who are helping to rebuild the spire. Agnès then visits Normandy where the famous bells are being restored to speak to Paul Bergamo and also where the iconic ornate cross, the only element on the roof to survive the fire, is being repaired by Vincent Combes and his team . Finally she comes face to face with a gargoyle, one of the stone creatures protecting the cathedral and finds out how to redesign the perfect beast.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

[LISTEN NOW]

The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, Our Lady of Paris, is one of France's most famous landmarks. On 15th April 2019, it was engulfed by flames, but thanks to the bravery of hundreds of firefighters, Notre Dame remained standing. The devastation was, however, immense. The spire collapsed into the nave and the lead roof melted and evaporated. The lattice framework underneath it, made of a thousand oak beams known affectionately as The Forest, turned to charcoal and dust.

Agnès Poirier has been given unique access behind the scenes, and in this second part, she's allowed inside Notre Dame while building work continues around her. She has access to the newly constructed roof and spire, the bells and into the nave, as careful restoration work takes place. Agnès hears from roofer William Blois about what it means to work on a cathedral like Notre Dame, to restorer of mural painters Diana Castillo, who is bringing some of the chapels back to life, resplendent with their blue ceilings and golden stars, and to sculptor Stéphane Krust, who explains why latex is the best way to clean the chimaera, the stone guardians of the cathedral.

Producer: Andrea Kidd

(Image: Notre Dame. Credit: Chesnot)

We go inside this famous cathedral as craftspeople reconstruct this gothic masterpiece.

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was almost destroyed by fire in 2019. Agnès Poirier gets special access to go inside and see the work of craftspeople during their epic restoration.

The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, Our Lady of Paris, is one of France's most famous landmarks. On the 15th of April 2019, it was engulfed by flames, but thanks to the bravery of hundreds of firefighters, Notre-Dame remained standing. The devastation was, however, immense. The spire collapsed into the nave and the lead roof melted and evaporated. The lattice framework underneath it, made of a thousand oak beams known affectionately as The Forest, turned to charcoal and dust.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

[LISTEN NOW]

Presenter: Francine Stock

Producer: Stephen Hughes

(Photo: Thelma Schoonmaker at the Peeping Tom screening during the 67th BFI London Film Festival. Credit: John Phillips/Getty Images)

Thelma Schoonmaker reveals the secrets of the cutting room

Thelma Schoonmaker is arguably the world's most famous film editor. She tells Francine Stock some secrets of the cutting room.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

Relocating to the UK, Shayan found a like-minded ally in bassist Sully, who had similarly left Syria after facing jail time for his Metal associations, and they teamed up with British drummer Matt Croton. Sahar Zand follows them as they work on their new single and video.

Sahar Zand meets Black Death Metal band Trivax

Formed by guitarist and vocalist Shayan, TRIVAX was formed in 2009, in the underground music scene of his home city, Tehran. The capital of a country where freedom of expression is severely restricted, resulting in tough censorship laws. The Iranian government tightly controls musical content, prohibiting lyrics or themes deemed critical of the regime, or inconsistent with Islamic values, and heavy metal tends to fall under this category. So, stepping out of these rigid lines can carry severe consequences.

Escaping to the UK, Shayan found a like-minded ally in bassist Sully, who had similarly left Syria after facing jail time for his metal associations, and they teamed up with British drummer Matt Croton.

Now, TRIVAX utilises the adversity of its members' roots, to produce its unique trademark sounds they call 'Eastern Death Magic”; a combination of black metal with Middle Eastern influences and on a mission to fight against oppression and totalitarianism through music.

Sahar Zand follows them as they work on their latest track Against All Opposition. An emotionally charged track, made in response to Iran's nationwide protests, sparked by the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Jina Amini in 2022.

(Photo: Shayan, Trivax. Credit: Sahar Zand)

TRIVAX on their mission to fight against oppression and totalitarianism through music

Inside the brains of the world's most creative people

TRIVAX on their mission to fight against oppression and totalitarianism through trademark sounds they call 'Eastern Death Magic”.

Sahar Zand follows them as they work on their latest track ‘Against All Opposition'. An emotionally charged track, made in response to Iran's nationwide protests, sparked by the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Jina Amini in 2022.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

Sahar Zand meets Trivax.

Brought together by guitarist and vocalist Shayan, Trivax was formed in 2009, in the underground music scene of his home city, Tehran. The capital of a country where freedom of expression is restricted, resulting in tough censorship laws. The Iranian government tightly controls musical content, prohibiting lyrics or themes deemed critical of the regime, or inconsistent with Islamic values, and heavy metal tends to fall under this category. So, stepping out of these rigid lines can carry severe consequences.

Moving to the UK, Shayan found a like-minded ally in bassist Sully, who had left Syria after facing jail time for his metal associations.

Trivax draw upon their experiences to produce a unique sound they call 'Eastern Death Magic”; a combination of black metal with Middle Eastern influences.

Sahar Zand follows them as they work on their latest track ‘Against All Opposition'. It's an emotionally charged track, made in response to Iran's recent nationwide protests, sparked by the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Jina Amini in 2022.

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Here in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, Tuan has become an artist of many mediums. Telling stories through film, sculpture and installations, his work often explores how memories haunt the present and the power of art to heal.

Reporter Eliza Lomas joins Tuan in his home studio and workshop, as he shares his process for creating an ongoing series of resonant mobile sculptures. Made from once highly explosive bomb material left over from the war, Tuan reflects on how beliefs in animism and reincarnation inform his work, and why he's drawn to transforming these objects of war, which are still excavated on a daily basis in Vietnam, into resonant sculptures of peace.

Image: Tuan Andrew Nguyen [Credit: Harry Vu]

Using film, sculpture and installations, Tuan explores how memories haunt the present

Tuan Andrew Nguyen is an artist of many mediums. Using film, sculpture and installations, his work explores how memories haunt the present and the power of art to heal.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

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Wendy Sharpe is an multi-award winning Australian artist working on a new exhibition Spellbound for the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney.

In this exhibition she breaks all the rules, by painting directly onto walls, hanging works upside down or touching and installing not only her studio in this museum, but also herself, as she paints a mural directly on the wall in front of the public.

Whilst there are many hundreds of artworks on display, they all merge to make a complete artistic creation or gesamtkunstwerk (a German word meaning ‘total work of art').

Wendy won the Archibald Prize,a major event on the Australian arts calendar, being the first woman to take out the award with a self-portrait in 1996. In 1999, she became the first woman since the Second World War to be appointed an official war artist. She has had over 70 solo exhibitions.And along with her new exhibition there is a book being written about her influence as an Australian artist.

Regina Botros joins her as she works towards this immersive, labyrinth-like exhibition, where the lines between art and artist are blurred.

Guests: Wendy Sharpe - Artist

Natalie Wilson - Curator Art Gallery NSW

Elizabeth Fortescue - Art Writer

Anne Ryan - Curator Art Gallery NSW

Presenter/producer: Regina Botros for the BBC World Service

Executive producer: Stephen Hughes

(Photo: Wendy Sharpe. Credit: Nikki McLennan)

Wendy Sharpe breaks conventions with her new exhibition Spellbound

In a new exhibition Wendy Sharpe breaks conventions, painting on walls and installing herself in the gallery, becoming part of the art.

Regina Botros follows one of Australia's most acclaimed artists, Wendy Sharpe, as she works on a new exhibition called Spellbound. It's a journey into the nature of creativity, composed of drawings, sketchbooks, paintings, ceramics, and sculptural forms. And just for the exhibition, Wendy has re-created her own studio in the gallery, and will be working in it, while visitors view her art.

In the Studio takes us into the minds and processes of leading and emerging figures from across the creative world.

From their studio in central London, they've designed wayfinding systems for flagship museums and art galleries, sprawling office blocks, and maze-like hospitals. Comedian and writer Tony Hawks (author of Round Ireland with a Fridge) finds out how their work is a fascinating mix of liasing with architects, interior designers, and clients, and getting technical about things like what material a sign's made from, what colour it should be, and how exactly to construct it. Tony also discovers the many and subtle considerations Zoë and Patrick have to take into account when designing a wayfinding system that works for everyone.

If you've ever been lost in an airport, shopping centre or museum, or can't find your way to the toilets, this episode of In the Studio is for you.

Presenter: Tony Hawks

A Tandem production for BBC World Service

From massive signs to tiny icons, wayfinders shape the way we navigate spaces

Wayfinding experts Zoë Barrett and Patrick Eley have a unique way of thinking about space. Tony Hawks discovers how their designs guide people through buildings and environments.