The Phenomenon of Error and the Many Reflecting on It / Phaenomenon erroris et muti cogitantis / The Phenomenon of Error and Stupid Thinking

Abstract

This text examines the phenomenon of error, its manifestations, and its application in creative practice, emphasizing its productive possibilities. In the context of creative work, errors that are reflected upon become conscious tools, serving as interpretive threads that enrich meaning. The case study focuses on the Google Translate algorithm, analyzing the errors it produces in the titles of artworks and how these errors expand the interpretive potential of the works. At the outset, the text argues that medieval culture and its historical perspective can inform contemporary creative practice. This idea is illustrated by St. Jerome’s unintentional translation error when rendering the Holy Scriptures, which led to depictions of Moses as horned in parts of Christian iconography. In her work, the author parallels St. Jerome with Google Translate, highlighting how unintentional interpretations can generate new lines of meaning and create distance from the author’s original intent. For instance, the original title Take a Hair of the Dog That Bit You / Fac quod mane / Do What Is Wrong is completely transformed when retranslated into Lithuanian from Latin.

The discussion then considers error as a means of liberating thought and enriching content, exploring its application in creative practice. The case study begins with the concept of the exhibition I Am Only a Human, which embraces the fragmentation, omissions, and inaccuracies of medieval history and culture, filling these gaps with alternative—sometimes false or misleading, yet productive—elements. The text also addresses deviations from the original plan that occurred during the curation (curator Indrė Urbelytė), installation (exhibition architect Gabrielė Černiavskaja), and presentation of the exhibition. These deviations illustrate how positive shifts in meaning, generated by error as a foundation for creative practice, revealed untapped potential and allowed the project to exceed its initial objectives.