the dreammachine by charles gatewood

william s. burroughs, brion gysin and dream machine photo © charles gatewood, london 1972

the ‘dream machine’ is a stroboscopic flicker device that produces visual stimuli. it was an invention by cult figure brion gysin, writer w. s. burroughs and scientist ian sommerville in early 1960. rotating at 78 rpm on a phonographic turntable, the ‘dreamachine’ emits flashes of light reputedly synchronized with alpha rhythms of the brain which allows one to enter a hypagogic state.

a tribute for william s. burroughs

in 1972 during an assignment for rolling stone magazine,  charles gatewood flew to london to meet william s. burroughs and brion gysin. over the next couple of days, gatewood photographed the two iconic figures, capturing what are widely acknowledged as the finest images in existence today of the ‘dreamachine’ and its creators.

dream machine night at whitechapel gallery on 29 June, 2007 

new york based mcgovern design house is an exclusive agent of rare vintage and new prints of this esteemed photographic series. published many times and recently exhibited at the irish museum of modern art, the ‘dreamachine’ prints will be presented in an upcoming new york city exhibition (to be announced soon).

mcgovern design house is a new york based full service art consulting firm, providing art advisory services to individuals and companies too busy to navigate the art market of today. building collections for nascent and established collectors, they facilitate connections to international artists and art communities. with their knowledge of furnishings and interiors, they also advise on collectible furniture and emerging design talent on the international scene.