portable flicker : SIMON LEWANDOWSKI

PortableFlicker

Twin Light Emitting Diodes are planted in the Headset (1), flashing between red and green at differing, randomised frequencies. By the use of the BioFeedback Terminals (2) it is possible for the user to control and stabilise the rate of flicker to between 8 and 13 flashes per second – the rate of the brain’s Alpha Rhythms.

For many users this can induce a variety of secondary visual phenomena, ranging from geometric patterns to whole scenes and action sequences.
Some subjects may enter a trance-like state of consciousness in which they experience a brief loss of awareness of their immediate surroundings and their sense of Time. Like the person who faints suddenly and is revived their question may be “where am I?” but perhaps a more important question to ask would be “where was I?”

PortableFlicker is available as a multiple in an edition of 25. It can be seen at Wexford Arts Centre, Ireland from the 1st to 23rd December in Seconds::the Imperfect ArtWork

Its design was developed from plans in the book Electronic Projects for the Next Dimension: Paranormal Experiments for Hobbyists by Newton C. Braga (Newnes 2001). Circuit design by John Oughton, and many thanks to Tony Conrad for inspiration.