Definitions HQ

A Hypnagogic image (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠given as 'truer than nature', like a suggestive portrait truer than its model — yet it stands nowhere, occupying no place among other objects.

A Hypnagogic image (n.) ignores ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠perspective: the small woman in the half-dream walks toward me without growing bigger — only the pink of her stockings becomes more lively.

A Hypnagogic image (n.) never ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠comes before knowing: you do not see something and then recognize a face — you are abruptly seized by the certainty of seeing a face.

A Hypnagogic image (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠radically false: it realizes on the plane of perception what is in fact only an empty intention — consciousness had to see forms because it was looking for some.

A Hypnagogic image (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠this paradox: I really see something, but what I see is nothing — I am in the act of seeing a nonexistent cat.