What is Synchronicity?

An Introduction to Synchronicities

What is a synchronicity??

synchronicity The match formed by a piece of visual imagery (video tape or film) with an unrelated piece of music, which forms a new and different experience from that originally intended by either work. Synchronicities are instances where a certain clip, or even a whole movie, are found to fit extraordinarily well with different music, specifically music that evokes a surreal, or psychedelic, feel, that is intensified by the pairing. This site takes its name from the Jungian term of "synchronicity," of a resonance formed between two events unrelated in time and space. This non-local, non-linear connection defies rational explanation. Although the majority of examples listed here cannot really be considered synchronicities in Jung's terminology, the term seems to describe the emotional state evoked better than anything else.

Early in the history of film, it was discovered that the music a piece of visual imagery is displayed with has a powerful influence on how it is perceived and received by the human mind. Films with highly emotional, majestic scores were found to have a greater emotional impact on their audience than similar scenes with no music, or even silence. William S. Burroughs, always an experimenter with the art of montage, was one of the first pioneers to put random clips of film to different unrelated music, creating the art of the synchronicity. The concept was an integral part of the psychedelic scene of the 1960s.

Part of the appeal of synchronicities is that it allows the viewer a more active degree of participation in the viewing experience. Instead of just sitting there passively, you get to take part in what you see, by setting things up, by trying new combinations yourself. It's kind of subversive that way, because what you see is not necessarily what was originally intended as the viewing experience. It allows fans to reclaim participation in what they're seeing and hearing. It's a true multimedia experience, interactive at its easiest.

What do you need to venture into the world of Synchronicities??




An Open Mind, a sense of humor, and, most importantly, WONDER!!

A Stereo. A programmable CD Player is the easiest way to do the Synchs. Records (Vinyl), tapes, or 8-Tracks have been used as well, although much more difficult.

A Television, for your viewing enjoyment. The bigger, the better...

A VCR, for the video portion of the Synch.




I first became interested in synchronicities when a friend of mine showed me the Jupiter And Beyond The Infinite synch listed here. I think if you try this, you too will be hooked on the concept. Give it a try.... experimentation is the name of the game here. Ideas and thoughts can be discussed on the SynchBoard.