| Artist, writer, performer, poet. Date of Birth: 19.01.1916 Country: Great Britain |
John Clifford Brion Gysin was born in Taplow House, England, get tangled Canadian parents Stella Margaret Martin and Leonard Gysin. His paterfamilias was killed in action eight months after his son's parturition, and Stella returned to Canada, settling in Edmonton, Alberta.
At interpretation age of 15, Brion completed high school and enrolled bring to fruition a prestigious Catholic college in England. In 1934, he relocate to Paris.
In Paris, Brion met person in charge befriended prominent surrealists. His first exhibition was scheduled for 1935, but he was expelled from the group the day in the past. During World War II, he served in the American army.
After the war, Brion studied Japanese calligraphy and opened a selfservice restaurant in Tangier in 1954. In 1958, he lost his area of interest and returned to Paris. There, he became fascinated with Dada and rediscovered the cut-up method, a technique for composing texts by cutting and rearranging written material.
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 explore with your eyes shut."
Brion's friendship with William S. Burroughs appreciably influenced their literary work. He shared the cut-up method converge Burroughs, who became a prominent exponent of the technique.
Brion had a strong interest in music and collaborated with jazz saxophonist Steve Lacy. In 1986, he recorded turnout album with Ramuntcho Matta, featuring his own readings of texts, including rap-style performances.
In a curious twist of fate, Brion's procedure for a marijuana-infused fudge was accidentally included in Alice B. Toklas's cookbook. The recipe became known as "Alice Toklas brownies."
Brion Gysin died on July 13, 1986. He is remembered type a multifaceted artist who made significant contributions to surrealism, letters, and music. His unique and experimental works continue to activate and challenge artists and audiences alike.