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monthly reflection on current Lapidus-related issues

October

imaginary numbers

If creative therapeutic writing is about building bridges, what are these bridges? How about the bridge between remembered events and now? Or between 'patient' and 'person'? A fresh look at life narratives may make bridges between the person we have been used to being, and a differently configured one just emerging.

How about a bridge between science and the arts? Having a creative literary activity going on inside a building that defines itself primarily a location for medical practice alters its identity. Healthcare professionals who notice the 'creative writing session in progress' sign on a door may be curious, or dismissive, or interested, or increasingly familiar with the idea, or sparked into inspiration themselves. If they already indulge in a spot of sculpture outside the day job, or enjoy the diversions of theatre or bonsai gardening, they may come to welcome such dimensions in their workplace, and even tolerate the odd frustrating room clash.

What about the bridge between everyday life and the poetic dimensions of experience? The person with stories to tell finds pathways to their creative self. Creative therapeutic writing can deliver to everyone's doorstep some of the riches of literary heritage with a minimum of fuss. It encourages and affirms the telling of mundane stories that turn out to be extraordinary, whilst remaining uncluttered by the demands or potential exclusivity of the literary market place.

What about bridges of ideas, the making of connections between different areas of thought or experience? Or even between mathematics and writing?

In a recent programme on BBC Radio 4, In Our Time (see link below), mathematicians talked eloquently and passionately about mathematics, its history and key discoveries. They talked about 'imaginary numbers' discovered in sixteenth century Italy. Where others failed, the creative Italian Rafaello Bombelli triumphed with his invention of the imaginary number: the square root of -1, which was given the name 'i'. Imaginary numbers were hypothetical numbers that could be included in a mathematical problem to help solve it. By taking an excursion via the imaginary number, people were able to solve problems - and go on to develop practical applications such as electricity and light!

And how about this for a bridge? Poetry, like an imaginary number, enables us to take an excursion from the reality we know, and for which we have (or believe we have) existing proof. By inviting others to travel with an experienced guide into realms where the known and the unknown can be explored in new formations, we are giving ourselves and others an opportunity to return to the pre-formed reality with new insights. Perhaps we may also discover additional tool or even some helpful resources which have practical applications. We might find a way to think about an event or a person that makes sense at last. We may look at a leaf in a garden more closely and discover a vivid reality we had not previously felt part of. We may discover whole new worlds.

Mathematics and poetry both involve imaginative flights and a certain amount of risk through a use of materials that can be counted on (numbers, words). And when some kinds of connection are made, the light comes on.

© F Hamilton

In Our Time - Imaginary Numbers