"Try this: Carefully memorize the meaning of out the words' making any sound whatever in the mind's ear. Extraordinary experience, and one that will carry over into dreams. When you start thinking in images, without words, you're well on the way."
I was really interested in Burroughs' The Third Mind and the concept of the cut-up method, because, as I've mentioned before, ever since we started experimenting with collage, I can't stop thinking of new ways to mash-up and remix and think in collage. I really liked the beginning of the interview where Burroughs was asked about what the cut-up offers readers that typical conventional narratives don't. I really liked that Burroughs said, "Cut-ups establish new connections between images, and one's range of vision consequently expands." I like to think that every collage I've done so far (at least with images, that is) has indeed expanded the overall view of the collage itself because of the connections between them to make a new narrative that obviously wouldn't have been there if I (or another author) hadn't juxtaposed those images.
"That's my principle message to writers: For Godsake, keep your eyes open. Notice what's going on around you."
--I also thought this message was really cool for cut-ups and stuff. If we just observe, we might get some pretty amazing ideas for works!
I was really interested in Burroughs' The Third Mind and the concept of the cut-up method, because, as I've mentioned before, ever since we started experimenting with collage, I can't stop thinking of new ways to mash-up and remix and think in collage. I really liked the beginning of the interview where Burroughs was asked about what the cut-up offers readers that typical conventional narratives don't. I really liked that Burroughs said, "Cut-ups establish new connections between images, and one's range of vision consequently expands." I like to think that every collage I've done so far (at least with images, that is) has indeed expanded the overall view of the collage itself because of the connections between them to make a new narrative that obviously wouldn't have been there if I (or another author) hadn't juxtaposed those images.
"That's my principle message to writers: For Godsake, keep your eyes open. Notice what's going on around you."
--I also thought this message was really cool for cut-ups and stuff. If we just observe, we might get some pretty amazing ideas for works!
Interesting comments, Jess! Yes, there's definitely an emphasis on seeing, on awareness, on openness, that maybe is similar to that of Breton's and the Surrealists. But then, I wonder, too, if we can detect some impulses here that distinguish the two "schools," as it were. It's interesting how little Burroughs and Gysin mention Breton.
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