DOUBT CLUB
[…] “if we decide to play not knowing […] what the rules of the game are but making them as we go along and changing them as we play, then we end up with an autonomous game. This is what happens in art and every creative activity. This gives us hope that we’re not only walking around something but can get somewhere instead of returning to the starting point (i.e. desire).
[…] What doesn’t yet exist cannot be imagined. Imagination doesn’t bring anything new.
The imagination brings together already existing things. What brings something new is the idea.
Ideas have no prototypes. Whoever experiences an idea emerging is so surprised by it that it renders him or her speechless. Realising this extremely rare thing is excruciating because it is always accompanied by doubt. Interestingly enough ideas come at the end of doubt.” (Ferenc Jádi)
DOUBT CLUB
The English word ‘club’ has several meanings: 1. A heavy stick used as a weapon, 2. a long, thin stick used in golf to hit the ball, 3. an organization of people with a common purpose or interest, who meet regularly and take part in shared activities. It is well known that the meanings of words are continuously changing in relation to objects and actions generating new information. The unusual but incredibly imaginative collocations in Marcel Duchamp’s ready-mades, for example, can be understood in this context. What would happen if, adopting Duchamp’s approach, just among ourselves, we would start applying the word ‘club’ to the weapon in Hungarian too?
The two abilities of the mind operate in conjunction: one is the deliberately activated power of imagination and the other is the spontaneous process of instinctive insight and realisation.
DOUBT CLUB
Dear Doubtbearer,
If you have the inclination and willingness to take part in a debate about doubt or want to initiate such a debate, or if you are simply interested in the events of the Doubt Club, please let me know.
The Doubt Club project is open to all doubts but is an exclusive series so only those who get back to me – thus becoming ‘club members’ – will be notified about the upcoming events.
Note: the events of the Doubt Club can be followed in online publications and anyone can join in at any point.
Yours faithfully/doubtfully: György Galántai