Deadline extended two weeks
A few people have let me know that they have contributions still in the works so I'm keeping submissions open for another couple of weeks. But if you have something to submit, sooner is better than later!
First submissions received!
There has a been a lot of interest in sciartica magazine and many promises of content but the best part is some of that content starting to roll in. So far we have a 12 page comic retelling of the story of evolution (which we'll probably serialize), some poetry, some photo essays, some stories of science in the form of myths, and a manifesto.
What do you have to add to the collection? Anything creative to do with science will fit the magazine!
Submit to first issue by Feb 28
We're now taking submissions for pieces for the first issue of sciartica! Submit any kind of experimental science communication or printable documentation of your communication by the end of February to be considered.
For this first issue, we're likely to take pretty much everything that is submitted as long as it meets some minimum standards of quality as the magazine itself is an experiment of experimental communication. Ouch, getting too meta for my head.
So far, I'm hearing of some really good ideas but get your stuff together and send it my way (physicsdavid at gmail). If you just want to chat about ideas, get in touch also!
What is science art communication?
So much science writing comes in a certain set of forms. News, features, briefs, profiles, etc.
Why aren't there more creative types of science writing? There is a movement of creative non-fiction, although that seems to have a fairly narrow view in itself. Why not an experimental science writing?
It probably doesn't exist because there is no outlet for it. Nobody would publish such a thing, partly by definition because it's experimental and there is not necessarily an audience for it.
So I'm making an experimental science writing publication with your help.
First a few key aspects of it.
1. What is experimental science art communication?
It's really any kind of story telling about science that uses unusual forms.
2. Does it have to be text?
Not at all! For a publication, it needs to be capturable in some way, such as text. But photographs would work fine. A recipe/algorithm for how to do something would also be fine.
3. What medium would the publication be in?
To get started so it doesn't drown under the weight of dreams-too-big, I think that a print-on-demand magazine or book should be able to capture most of what we want. At least to start with. Later versions could be online and interactive.
4. Who would contribute?
Anybody who is interested. There is no need that your day job be as a professional science writer. You can define your connection to telling the stories of science however you like.
5. When will this happen?
I'm thinking now and writing this so it begins now. I'll put out a call for submissions and see what we start to get in. Then we'll take another look.
6. How can I be involved?
Contribute, edit, design, organize, contribute, contribute, smile, encourage, contribute, enjoy.
7. What are the kinds of things you are looking for?
I hate to say as it might push you in a certain direction, but I'm thinking about a few things myself. Translating an issue of a journal into haiku. Building an installation of a branching story in real space, photographed for the publication. Creating a rogue QR-code infestation in my town with each code telling a little story of science. Exquisite corpse, science style.
8. What do I do now?
Create something. Send it to me. Chat with me. I'm physicsdavid just about everywhere but I prefer gmail for contact. Or just add your name or a comment below and I'll keep you in the loop.
Submit a piece now or contact me to chat about ideas!
Call for submissions–first issue
Do you have something sciartic to say? Submit something before the end of February 2011 to be considered for the first issue of sciartica magazine.
So far, people have been telling me about ideas for photo essays, art pieces, mythological storytelling, and a variety of other ideas. No matter how long or short, send something in and we'll put together an issue!
Send a submission directly or feel free to discuss your submission with me.
What is sciartica?
Science asks how is?
Art asks what is?
Communication asks.
From the nexus emerge the three, extruding, taking core samples of the universe. And then with samples hanging from questioning hooks, returning to the nexus to mix and mate new meaning.
What do we find in this space? We only know through asking how, through asking what, through asking to hear.
Like a color wheel, we find:
art + communication = design
art + science = architecture
science + communication = grammar
And so the triumvirate breeds. Science, art, communication, design, architecture, grammar. Let's mix some more and decompose the products.
We infer now: art + grammar = science + design = communication + architecture = sciartica.