Brion gysin biography definition

Brion Gysin

Artist, writer, performer, poet.
Date of Birth: 19.01.1916
Country: Great Britain

Content:
  1. Early Life and Education
  2. Surrealism and the Cut-Up Method
  3. The Dream Machine and Collaboration with William S. Burroughs
  4. Music and Later Life
  5. Legacy

Early Life and Education

John Clifford Brion Gysin was born in Taplow House, England, to Canadian parents Stella Margaret Martin and Leonard Gysin. His father was killed in action eight months after his son's birth, and Stella returned to Canada, settling in Edmonton, Alberta.

At the age of 15, Brion completed high school and enrolled in a prestigious Catholic college in England. In 1934, he relocated to Paris.

Surrealism and the Cut-Up Method

In Paris, Brion met and befriended prominent surrealists. His first exhibition was scheduled for 1935, but he was expelled from the group the day before. During World War II, he served in the American army.

After the war, Brion studied Japanese calligraphy and opened a restaurant in Tangier in 1954. In 1958, he lost his business and returned to Paris. There, he became fascinated with Dadaism and rediscovered the cut-up method, a technique for composing texts by cutting and rearranging written material.

The Dream Machine and Collaboration with William S. Burroughs

In 1961, Brion collaborated with Ian Sommerville to create the Dream Machine. The device projected light patterns designed to stimulate alpha brain waves and induce visual hallucinations. Brion described it as "the first artwork you look at with your eyes shut."

Brion's friendship with William S. Burroughs significantly influenced their literary work. He shared the cut-up method with Burroughs, who became a prominent exponent of the technique.

Music and Later Life

Brion had a strong interest in music and collaborated with jazz saxophonist Steve Lacy. In 1986, he recorded an album with Ramuntcho Matta, featuring his own readings of texts, including rap-style performances.

In a curious twist of fate, Brion's recipe for a marijuana-infused fudge was accidentally included in Alice B. Toklas's cookbook. The recipe became known as "Alice Toklas brownies."

Legacy

Brion Gysin died on July 13, 1986. He is remembered as a multifaceted artist who made significant contributions to surrealism, literature, and music. His unique and experimental works continue to inspire and challenge artists and audiences alike.