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Rhizomebook is established by Jan van der Til as a reflection and interpretation of his artistic practice. The website serves as an ever-evolving digital book, reflecting ideas and developments. The term 'rhizome' originates from the philosophical work of Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, who used it to describe a specific type of network or structure. A rhizome is characterized by its nodes, which connect in an apparently random manner without hierarchy or centralized control. In contrast, a tree has a clear hierarchical structure with roots and branches.
Jan van der Til's artistic vision and Rhizomebook use the term 'rhizome' to organize the content of a book and establish connections with other sources. This suggests that Jan van der Til's work forms a network of ideas linked together randomly, without a central point or hierarchy. In his artistic practice, the concept of 'book' represents a manifestation of his rhizomatic and hybrid approach. It goes beyond the traditional idea of a book with fixed pages and a linear storyline, instead embodying a symbolic and conceptual expression. The book functions as a dynamic network of connections, ideas, and media, reflecting the rhizomatic nature of his work. It combines different artistic forms and disciplines, such as images, texts, websites, and videos. The book continuously evolves and grows, generating new ideas and creations. It challenges conventional thinking, explores alternative perspectives, and encourages reflection and dialogue.
In the case of Rhizomebook, the book serves as a vibrant and expansive entity, intertwining Jan van der Til's works with other sources through associative connections. The network of ideas and sources within the book keeps expanding and evolving, incorporating new nodes and relationships. Nodes represent specific works, ideas, concepts, or sources interconnected within the book's network. These nodes act as points of convergence and interaction, connecting various elements within the rhizomatic network of the book. Nodes can include Jan van der Til's artistic creations, essays, or other contributions featured in the book. They also encompass other sources within the book, such as references to artists, philosophers, scientists, or cultural artifacts. Thus, nodes in the context of Rhizomebook signify specific points of convergence and connection within the book's network. They provide entry points to different ideas and perspectives, allowing for further exploration and reflection within the rhizomatic system. Readers can forge their own paths and create unique connections between different elements in the book using these nodes.
The concept of the rhizome, as used in Rhizomebook, highlights the non-linear nature of connections between Jan van der Til's works and other sources. It emphasizes the absence of a strict hierarchy or central point dictating the meaning or interpretation of the book. Instead, readers have the freedom to create their own associations and meanings as they navigate the network of ideas. Rhizomebook encourages the exploration of the rhizomatic nature of knowledge and creation, inviting readers to make connections between different works and sources and follow their individual paths in discovering new insights and meanings. It offers an alternative approach to reading and understanding books, emphasizing the complexity, diversity, and non-linear nature of thinking and creation.