THE DREAMACHINE | BRION GYSIN

THE DREAMACHINE | BRION GYSIN
"Had a transcendental storm of colour visions today in the bus going to Marseilles. We ran through a long avenue of trees and I closed my eyes against the setting sun. An overwhelming flood of intensely bright colors exploded behind my eyelids: a multidimensional kaleidoscope whirling out through space. I was swept out of time. I was out in a world of infinite number. The vision stopped abruptly as we left the trees. Was that a vision? What happened to me?" - Excerpt from the diary of Brion Gysin, December 21, 1958

The Dreamachine was devised by Brion Gysin, artist, traveller, writer and alchemist; one of the unsung English painters of the 20th Century, expelled by Breton from the Surrealists, and the seminal influence who introduced William Burroughs to the use of cut-ups in writing.

The Dreamachine arose from Gysin's observations of the effects of passing rapidly through a vale of trees, the flickering of sunlight causing him to enter into an altered state of consciousness. The process itself was known to North African tribesmen who entered trance states through the rapic movement of their hands and fingers across their closed eyes, heads tilted towards the Sun.

Used by creative people for over half a century, the Dreamachine has been reputed to create multi-layered, geometric and organic shapes and symbols, swirling in a rhythmic pulse of holographic imagery, giving a feeling of being surrounded by colors. The flicker corresponds to Alpha Waves which are normally present in the human brain while being both alert and relaxed, where mental imagery is more easily created and visualization techniques are more effective. Aldous Huxley remarked, "The Dreamachine is an aid to visionary experience."

It's beauty is in its simplicity, and in its ecologically sound construction which requires no more than a sheet of card and the recycling of a record player. Many users of the Dreamachine have referred to it as a drug-free 'trip', but with the emphasis on INWARD travel into the areas of one's own unconscious Dream State. The Dreamachine Plans are quite literally a Passport to this domain, and for once there are no customs posts to pass, no police barriers or laws to break down or transgress. It is quite simply a voyage of exploration without restriction.

The Dreamachine is probably the first visual device to be viewed with your eyes closed. What we want to see INSIDE. Do not worry if you generally find that closed eyes means darkness. With the Dreamachine it doesn't. A kaleidoscope of light will result and slowly these turn into archetypal visions, pictures that come alive and tell you your story, as you really are.

William Burroghs wrote about the Dreamachines extensively in his novels, where he depicted them as a weapon for the freedom of consciousness in the eternal war against Control. The author spoke highly of his friends' invention saying, "Subjects report dazzling lights of unearthly brilliance and color...Elaborate geometric constructions of incredible intricacy build up from multidimensional mosaics into living fireballs like the mandalas of Eastern Mysticism or resolve momentarily into apparently individual images and powerfully dramatic scenes like brightly colored dreams."

The instructions are simple, so close your eyes and enter the visual world of the Dreamachine. Enjoy your journey.

LIST OF ARTISTS/THINKERS WHO HAVE USED THE DREAMACHINE:
- William S Burroughs
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Kurt Cobain
- Keith Haring
- Alan Ginsberg
- Iggy Pop
- DJ Spooky
- The Mars Volta
...and many, many others.

CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL SITE OF BRION GYSIN