Should The Whitemud Freeway be Changed to The Brion Gysin Freeway?
by Should the city of Edmonton change the name of The Whitemud Freeway to honor former resident Brion Gysin?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dubpulse/3394487304/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarmoung/14322836/
Gysin’s art is also something that has found its way into many areas of our culture. His art was greatly based on Arabic and Oriental Calligraphic traditions. However, Gysin modernized these traditions and his influence is seen daily in design and advertising world wide. Not the Arabic and Oriental traditions mind you, the traditions being filtered through Gysin’s work into the Post Modern world.
Gysin’s most substantial contribution to the world is his invention called The Dream Machine. This machine is simply a cylinder with holes cut in it that moves around a light. The viewer sits near this machine with eyes closed and has a relaxing or mystical experience. Gysin tried to mass market this invention as he believed that everyone would like to have a consciousness expanding experience. The rest of the world did not see it that way. The Phillips company almost went for Gysin’s vision to market these machines. That fell through. This product was ahead of its time.
Image via Wikipedia
At the time if people wanted to expand their consciousness they would take LSD or some other substance. The beauty of The Dream Machine was that it was free, non-habit forming, and no side effects provided you used it right. It did not take off in its day. However, as the years passed variations of light machines for health and spiritual fulfillment were created and marketed successfully with in the holistic and consciousness expansion industries. The 1990s, which became the 1960s eager little brother, certainly saw consciousness expansion and spirituality become a full fledged part of the marketplace. Light machines were a significant part of that velvet revolution and those go back directly to Brion Gysin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tadeoberjon/3982148362/
These contributions to planet Earth’s collective cultures should be enough to get his boyhood home of Edmonton, Alberta to name something after him. Maybe asking the city to change the name of the Whitemud Freeway to the Brion Gysin Freeway is a bit much. However, there is a lot of growth in Edmonton these days and new roads are created on a monthly basis. Naming one of these new roads after Mister Brion Gysin is not too much to ask.
If you would like more information on Brion Gysin and The Dream Machine get a copy of the film Flicker.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fynes/3072427709/
Related Links
R. S. Wing’s article about Gysin’s friend W.S. Burroughs
The Godfather of The Beats: William S. Burroughs Part On
Here is a poem I wrote, called “There are No Dream Machines at West Ed”, that is related to this subject.
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Post Commentken bultman
On October 19, 2009 at 9:18 am
My interest in the name change if fairly minimal but I very much enjoyed reading about the subject gentleman and his friends.
lillyrose
On October 19, 2009 at 10:02 am
I guess it won’t be down to the public what the road is going to end up being called but a great interesting article non the less. I like the sound of the dream machine, it could be quite soothing and hypnotic! but as you said it was before its time.
cutedrishti8
On October 19, 2009 at 10:40 am
nice one to read
Ruby Hawk
On October 23, 2009 at 5:47 pm
So many of our main roads are named after politicians but I like the old origional names better. For instance in the next county we have an old road named “Shake Rag”. There’s one named “Dirt Town” and “Silver Hill” Don’t you just love that?
RS Wing
On March 12, 2010 at 10:55 am
Bravo! What a great article covering an artist like it should be done. I learned something here….I had no idea Gysin was responsible for the “Dream Machine”, and you’re right, he didn’t get the credit he so deserves. I say re-name it just for historical purposes and for the sake of reserrecting a giant within the Art World. Great work Mark. I hope to see a follow up. Thumbs up, quality article!