WARNING TO THOSE WITH PHOTOSENSITIVE EPILEPSY OR OTHER NERVOUS DISORDERS - THIS VIDEO CONTAINS FLASHING LIGHTS.
'Cotton Belt Dreams' is a site-specific light installation by Erin Taylor. It consist of three 'Dreammachines,' a stroboscopic flicker device that can induce a dream-like state while awake.
The 'Dreammachine' was originally conceived by Brion Gysin, Ian Sommersville and William S. Burroughs.
The 'Dreamachine' is viewed with the eyes closed. It produces flashes of light at a frequency of eight to thirteen pulses per second. This frequency synchronises with alpha brain waves, stimulating the optic nerve. 'Cotton Belt Dreams' utilizes not only the internal visual experience but also the transformational patterns of light created by the 'Dreammachine.'
This project was installed in the abandoned Cotton Belt Freight Depot. 'Cotton Belt Dreams' was created as a part of Artica, an annual urban arts festival in St. Louis, Missouri, October, 2011. The project received partial funding from Artica in the form of a 'Vessel Award.' Thank you to Artica and all those who assisted with the project and participated in the festival.
