Contributions by Justas Pipinis, Alexandra Harrison, Athene Currie, Sonia York-Pryce, Philip Samartzis, Martin George, Gabriel Nilsen, Jason Lehan, Ian Haig and Josh Wilson.

What if our plans divert us from better futures we cannot envision? What logic, methods and circumstances may warrant more reliance on spontaneity, improvisation and serendipity? Can purposeful work towards nothing in particular be effective? This publication continues to discuss alternative pathways through our goal-oriented environments, as started by the Conjuring Serendipity panel convened at the AAANZ (The Art Association of Australia and New Zealand) Conference at the Australian National University in Canberra in December 2024.

Justas Pipinis draws on multidisciplinary research to discuss strategies for success without preset goals. Alexandra Harrison highlights the contiguous everyday that frames and feeds our professional endeavours. Dr Athene Currie and Dr Sonia York-Pryce present a selection of spontaneous performances in nature embodying posthuman and ecofeminist concerns. Prof Philip Samartzis contemplates the artistic potential in aimlessly exploring a new city. Martin George positions artmaking on the continuum between aimless play and purposeful utility, following collaborative transmutations of a sculpture. Gabriel Nilsen presents five photographs and five words in an ambiguous relationship. Jason Lehane shares what it’s like to make art with aphantasia, a condition that prevents him from envisioning possible outcomes. Dr Ian Haig employs AI to generate unpredictable errors. Josh Wilson attempts to articulate the uncodified practices of GallerygalleryINC, searching for elusive and yet “extremely particular marvellous and unrealised potentials of here and now”