Designed by:

Matthew Gordon

A hypnopompic state (or hypnopomp) is the state of consciousness leading out of sleep, a term coined by the psychical researcher Frederic Myers. Its twin is the hypnagogic state at sleep onset; though often conflated, the two states are not identical. The hypnagogic state is rational waking cognition trying to make sense of non-linear images and associations; the hypnopompic state is emotional and credulous dreaming cognition trying to make sense of real world stolidity. I intended to create an audio-visual projective piece that embodies this experience, for people to understand what it would be like.

“As adults, it is by our art and storytelling that we may potentially traverse the different fluxes of time and recuperate the subjective and popular memories disavowed by the repressive forces of institutional representations. Susan Hiller’s celebration of the transformative function of creative practise, of non-sense and play in language, enables us to engage imaginatively with the unsaid in the saying. In this way she invites us to resurrect the ‘ecstatic corpses’ of our own experiences, to recreate different utterances and relate other stories of ourselves” (The Revenants of Time - An essay by Jean Fisher on the artist’s time-based work) - I wanted to create a projection that is relatable to all and possible to be moulded in a way that it becomes intimate and personal for anyone viewing.

Barely able to breathe, I feel like I’m drowning, Surface to the air and my heart will not stop pounding, My arm crumbles, as dry as the deserts surroundings; and I look like the Thing, from Fantastic Four; ha, great, in fact astounding! Or am I just confused, forever confounding, the Thing from Marvel and John Carpenters founding. For there is a fine line between joy and sadness, aiding and hounding, and to conquer Sleep Paralysis, it needs expounding. For when overcame, resolved and understood, it can be a resounding... Success. A joy, a rejuvenating and rebounding experience, your sleep will not consist of any interference.You just need faith, constancy and adherence, and a little perseverance for the demon of the night to understand obedience. For you are the master of your own mind and it is time for you to rest and unwind, You will be free with a new founded emotion, You will be capable of souring skies and exploring the depths of the oceans. The wiggle of a toe, deep breathes and the flex of a muscle, These are the foundations to avoid a demonic tussle, Talk to your friends of your experiences, your colleagues and family, and in time and positivity, you will be sleeping and dreaming happily.