Text: The Cut-Up Method of Brion Gysin

The Cut-Up Method of Brion Gysin By William S. Burroughs - Twelve Cut-ups

Cut-ups are for everyone.

It is experimental in the sense of being something to do.

Right here right now.

Cut the words and see how they fall.

Cut-ups often come through as code message with special meaning for the cutter.

All writing is in fact cut-ups.

Use of scissors renders the process explicit and subject to extension and variation.

Cutting and rearranging a page of written words introduces a new dimension into writing enabling the writer to turn images in cinematic variation.

The cut-up can be applied to other fields than writing.

The cut-up method could be used to advantage in processing scientific data.

We cannot produce accidents to order.

Cut back.

Cut streets of the world.

Cut and rearrange the word an image in films.

Cutting and rearranging factor your opponent will gain introduces a new dimension of strategy.

The method is simple.

Here is one way to do it.

Take a page. Like this page.

Now cut down the middle and cross the middle.

You have four sections: 1 2 3 4 . . . one two three four.

Now rearrange the sections placing section four with section one and section two with section three. And you have a new page.

Sometimes it says much the same thing.

Sometimes something quite different.

Cut.

Reference:

Nova Express, 1964 novel by William S. Burroughs

The Ticket That Exploded, 1962 novel by William S. Burroughs