“I propose to found a society. It is to be called ‘The Society of Irregulars.’ The members would have to know that a circle should never be round.” - Renoir
Thoughts from the founder, John Springer:“If you are willing to accept it, you are irregular. And if you would like, you can be an irregular.”
“But that does not mean you are atypical, because irregularity is quite typical. In fact, there is evidence of irregularity everywhere. Look to nature. Renoir once said, “take the leaf of a tree. Now take a hundred thousand other leaves of the same kind of tree. Not one of them will be the same.” Wonderful! But why take so much stock in the words of this French Impressionist painter? What good is dedicating an entire artistic enterprise to this concept today, and why risk tying our names and fate to the notion that we are not normal?”
“Well, because we wish to remind that irregularity is normal, and it its the truth that proves we are alive.”
“It is the evidence that in our unique forms we fit just right into the greater web. We agree with nature, and nature agrees with us. Because we are it. And, it is not just us but what we do and create, what we build and grow. All the greatest examples of our existence, from art to architecture, from gardens to national parks; from friendships to communities, music to food, libations and cheese; from martial arts to flower arrangement, all the rites, rituals and practices involved in the uniquely human effort to find meaning—this is all born out of us wandering around this planet for thousands of years and daring to ask why? Each off-kilter organic element, you, me, a leaf, it turns the record of the world’s song. It is the rhythm, the hum, the energetic vibration that makes this life great.”
“Therefore, I propose to reform a Society of Irregulars, and everyone is invited.”
These are some thoughts of mine on the concept of Irregularity. The deeper I dig in my experiences in nature and in art, whether solo or amongst a group, the more I discover of the unifying complexities.
This is what I wish to share with you through Society of Irregulars.
John Springer, Founder