A man of both legend and literature, artist and counter-cultural hero Brion Gysin's influence stretches through the second half of the twentieth century. Famous and revered for, amongst other things, his long-lasting creative friendship with William S. Burroughs, and his discovery of the 'cut-up' technique which the latter embraced, Gysin's life is one of those extraordinary stories, filled with diversity and experience.
Gysin isn't recognised enough for his significant role in the literary and cultural movements surrounding the Beat Generation (most infamously Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg and Gregory Corso's period living in France in the legendary Beat Hotel). Likewise, the cultural zeitgeist of the sixties, including his committed exploration of the mysteries and possibilities of the deep consciousness, psychology and his contribution to psychedelic exploration. His Dream Machine (created with Ian Sommerville) enabled participants to experience psychedelic visions of colours and images, hallucinations and vivid dream-like experiences. It was a simple concept - a cylinder with holes cut in it and a light bulb inside, which rotated. An individual closed their eyes and meditated, the pulsating light altering the brain's electrical oscillations and stimulating the optical nerve, resulting in the hallucinatory effect on the participant.
Gysin was a fiercely intelligent and prolific artist, writer and poet (among other things). Not to be missed at the Melbourne International Film Festival is the documentary, FLicKeR, exploring the influential and inspiring man's life, paying particular attention to the Dream Machine. Featuring interviews with Iggy Pop, Marianne Faithfull, Genesis P.Orridge (love) and Kenneth Anger, it looks like a fascinating document of an important cultural contributor.
FLicKeR plays as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival on Tuesday 28th July, 7pm at ACMI, and Sunday 2nd August, 7pm at Greater Union. Head to the Festival's official site to book tickets.
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