Increasing Awareness with the Paranoiac-Critical Method

Workshop Conducted By: Ondine Graham and James Schofield Goddard College 2012 Dalis Method and What It Has To Do With Consciousness Over the years our respective research into science and philosophy has led us to discover that consciousness, the most mysterious phenomenon in the known universe is unfortunately the most taken for granted. In this vein it becomes almost comical to consider that while everyone will declare that they are conscious, there is still no satisfactory definition for what exactly that means, what consciousness is capable of or even how to use it. To add insult to injury, it would appear that our own associations plague and enslave us without our awareness. Just consider the vast number of assumptions that are made on any given day which are based on our previous experiences, expectations and misconceptions. It seems clear from the works of artists and scientists alike that every mind holds within it a great deal of potential knowledge but that this knowledge remains hidden from our awareness unless we can develop a means of tapping into it. The Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dali (1904-1989) spent nearly his entire life exploring the vast complexities of his own unconscious, and in the process founded some introspective techniques that have for the most part gone unaddressed in contemporary consciousness studies. The most important technique for our present purposes is that of the paranoiac-critical method: Created in the early 1930s by Dali himself, the Paranoid-Critical method is a Surrealist method used to help an artist tap into their subconscious through systematic irrational thought and a selfinduced paranoid state. By inducing this paranoid state one can forego ones previous notions, concepts, and understanding of the world and reality in order to view the world in new, different and more unique ways.1 On the scientific end, this paranoiac state has yet to be studied relative to those produced though other methods such as meditation, trance or entheogens. On the subjective side, while numerous painters have created exquisite surrealist artworks with the use of this method, the potential for psychological development through uncovering hidden associations in the laymen or non-artist remains a very rich avenue for investigation and as such is the focus of this workshop. As examples of what this method can uncover are upwards in the thousands, we offer here only one of the most spectacular visions Dali rendered.

http://www.tufts.edu/programs/mma/fah188/clifford/Subsections/Paranoid%20Critical/paranoidcriticalmethod.html

The Hallucinogenic Toreador (oil on canvas 1968-1970). Retrieved on May 13, 2012: http://www.icollector.com/Hallucinogenic-Toreador-Dali-Limited-Edition-on-Canvas_i11593268

http://from-thepinkhouse.blogspot.com/2011/11/movember-week-2-salvador-dali.html

Syllabus for Surrealism, Consciousness and the Paranoiac Method Facilitators - Ondine Graham and James Schofield This workshop is part of the graduate requirements for completion of an MA degree in Consciousness Studies at Goddard College. The material gathered will be used solely for this purpose and a submitted report will be the outcome. We appreciate the willingness of participants to share their products and reflections and will respect the confidentiality of all persons involved. Statement of purpose- The goal of this workshop is to explore the possible significance of how one can become suspicious of ones own associations (i.e. non-conscious intentionality) by rendering surreal images through a simplified version of the paranoiac method. Theoretically as you develop with this method it should help reveal patterns in your own thought process, behaviors, etc, and we would like to see if this is indeed the case. Place - Online through e-mail and facebook. Time Monday the 21st through Monday the 28th Materials- You will also need a writing utensil, plain paper and an e-mail address. Additional requirements- You will be asked to forward your work to others as well as give and receive feedback. Due to the possibly private nature of some of the associations, it is not mandatory to share everything with the group. Grading Rubric 3 Goes above and beyond work expectations. Demonstrates and applies understanding to all aspects of the workshop. Encourages and helps others. 2 Completes all work and hands it in on time. Demonstrates solid understanding. 1 Does not do some assignments OR hands most assignments in late. Does assignment incorrectly but gives explanation. Does not interact much or at all with others. 0 Does no work.

Cheats/Plagiarizes.

Respectful and courteous to others. Interacts with others.

Disrespectful to others.

The Fun Part (Instructions) Step 1 Draw with a pencil or pen a squiggle which represents an emotion (e.g. anger, sadness) that one is feeling in the moment OR if nothing is being felt pick one. First feel the emotion to understand it then let it come fourth onto the paper (let it flow onto the paper). The participant must keep in mind that when done correctly, every part should be a microcosm of the whole (like a fractal or hologram). Try to do five to ten separate pieces. Expected time to complete each is one minute. Step 2 Return to the finished squiggle/squiggles then identify anything you can in them (e.g. three associations). Next consider the relationships between each association, circle them, and write them down in list format. The most difficult aspect of this step is letting your mind wander so one may catch the very first association without judgment and follow it further. Step 3 - Take this list of associations and try to come up with why those images, relationships, associations, etc have come to you. Think of your biography and come up with their relationship to you (memories). Step 4 Take the associations (the most common) and forward them to the group without your biographical details. Everyone else can share their own experiences and thoughts on those associations. After this initial stage Step 5 Share the images (images optional if you can or want to) and your associations with the group so that everyone can compare and discuss. We will present a slideshow of what you can work up to as you improve in this technique.