Hi, The abstract below, referring to haiku, Deleuze and quantum physics is so interesting that it requires little introduction. Read on
[START] Poetry, Physics and Politics In this paper I plan to talk about haiku poetry (the short Japanese poetic form) and the connection between Western translations and quantum physics, through the work of philosopher Gilles Deleuze. Haiku poetry has variously been translated in the West, though more often than not translations tend to collapse the meaning of a haiku into a single, comprehendable narrative. However, Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari point out that Japanese and Chinese poetry make use of what they call a ³floating line² which allows for the poem to have multiplicities of meaning, rather than singular narratives (Deleuze and Guattari; 1980). Western translators however usually translate haiku into ³either² this meaning ³or² that meaning, while the original poem encourages ³both² this meaning ³and² that meaning to co-exist and multiply. Relating this to physics, classical (Newtonian) physics operates on an ³either/or² logic (in which particles are ³either² here ³or² there, and cannot occupy the same space at the same time) while quantum (Einsteinian) physics operates on a ³both/and² logic (in which particles may be superimposed in the same space, and entangled in the same time). As an example, take the following poem by Uejima Onitsura (1661-1738); a trout leaps high below him, in the river bottom, clouds flow by In this translation one sees the clouds reflected in the stream below the trout. However, a more literal translation reveals a ³floating line.² the trout leaps underneath floating clouds Here the term ³underneath² becomes a ³floating line² and there is uncertainty as to whether the ³floating clouds² are underneath the trout (clouds reflected in the water) or the trout is underneath the ³floating clouds² (in the sky). From this we can say the image contains ³both² one meaning ³and² the other, and construct a third image upon reading which superimposes them both (much like Quantum physics contains superimposed particles). This mode of logic (often called ³triadic-logic² rather than ³binary logic²) is essential to understanding yin-yang and some Buddhist thought. Furthermore, the difference between ³either/or² logic and ³both/and² logic is fundamental to many disputes between Western and non-Western cultures. For instance, in terms of Maori and Pakeha perceptions of the Treaty of Waitangi, I.H. Kawharu writes, ³The Maori text predicates a sharing of power and authority in the governance of the country between Crown and Maori. The English text is about a transfer of power.² Here we have an illustration of the difference between ³both/and² logic and ³either/or² logic. Maori believed the treaty to mean that ³both² Maori ³and² Pakeha would share power, while the Crown believed it would be ³either² Maori ³or² Pakeha in power. The difference between ³both/and² and ³either/or² thought is central to any discussion surrounding chaos, complexity and non-Western modes of thought and belief systems. [END] Richard Whyte recently finished his Masters in Film at Victoria University on the NZ experimental film-maker (and poet, and painter) Joanna Margaret Paul. Much of his work intersects topics central to SCANZ 2009 particularly in terms of Japanese poetry, quantum physics, post-structuralist thought and non-Western belief systems. The SCANZ residency takes place from January 25th to February 9th 2009; the symposium is on February 8th and 9th. The exhibitions open on February 8th 2009. Apologies for cross posting. +=+ Ian M Clothier and Trudy Lane Intercreate Research Centre intercreate.org Faculty of Arts, Commerce and Technology Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki www.witt.ac.nz New Plymouth, New Zealand South Pacific Ocean P= +64 6 757 3100 x8895 F= +64 6 757 3232 E= [EMAIL PROTECTED] This communication - including any attachments - may contain legally privileged information, and is confidential to the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient you should delete the communication and contact the sender immediately. If you have received this e-mail in error, you must not read, copy, disseminate, distribute or otherwise use or disclose any part of this communication, or any information on matters or persons to which it refers. WITT reserves the right to monitor all e-mail communications sent through its network. _______________________________________________ Ada_list mailing list [email protected] http://aotearoadigitalarts.org.nz/
