Tag Archives: William S. Burroughs

Myth of the West: The Myth of the Myth of the West – The Western Lands

This article delves into the concept of “The Western Lands” as an enduring myth across cultures and eras. Using William S. Burroughs’ The Western Lands as a springboard, it explores ancient mythologies, from Celtic voyages and Arthurian legends to Greek Elysium and Tolkien’s Undying Lands. Through these interpretations, the Western Lands emerge as symbols of humanity’s deepest longings for transcendence, ultimate peace, and the mysteries that lie beyond the known world.

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The Life and Times of Brion Gysin: Multi-Dimensional Artist from Teenage Surrealist to Multimedia Wunderkind

Brion Gysin, an artist, writer, and key figure in the 20th-century avant-garde, straddled multiple artistic movements, leaving a profound influence on literature, art, and music. This article explores Gysin’s early fallout with the Surrealists, his pivotal collaboration with the Beat Generation, and his role in introducing the Master Musicians of Joujouka to the West. It highlights his invention of the Dreamachine, his development of the cut-up technique with William S. Burroughs, and his influence on musicians like Brian Jones and David Bowie. Gysin’s legacy of experimentation, mysticism, and boundary-pushing creativity endures, despite his battles with cancer in his later years.

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