Super-potential of the brain

A short movie

is a 1.31 minute amalgamation

of the artist’s photography, short films and painting,

combined with a soundtrack.

The main footage was shot in the Negev desert.

It presents the play of sunlight with its intriguing refractions,

reminiscent of a dancing creature.

The movie sets out in a flurry of typical 1960s “tv snow”,

where the viewer first sees nothing.

Then, gradually through the “television snow”

flashes of light appear,

to suddenly break into a vision of almost blinding sunlight

with the dispersing light producing a dancing or flapping spectrum.

The movie’s title refers to the functioning of the brain,

how lucidity appears like a flash of light.

The voice belonged to J.G. Bennett,

follower and friend,

of the mystic George Ivanovich Gurdjieff.

He talks about the “super-potential” of our brain,

at a seminar in the early 1970’s

dedicated to the ‘awakening” of our consciousness

through movement and dance.

An unknown pianist plays

a forgotten composition by Gurdjieff.

The synthesizers highlighting the mental breakthrough

are played by the artist,

as is the digitalized violin,

inspired by American composer George Crumb.

Cricket sounds, taped in a summer field on Mount Gilboa,

are electrified, amplifying the idea of the buzzing mind.

Almost subliminal images appear in flashes,

just like they do in everyday thoughts, dreams and daydreams,

signifying the concept of our overactive “monkey mind”.

SUPERPOTENTIAL

Video, 8mm (1:31 min)

Negev desert, Israel.

Voice: J.G. Bennett,

talking about “the superpotential of the mind”.

Interview 1973.

Piano: Gurdjieff’s “Movements”, musician unknown

Synths: Marc Tolud

Synthesized violin: A Tribute to George Crumb.

Crickets on Mount Gilboa, Israel. Synthesized.