Speed, Dromology and Invisibility, Leonardo Electronic Almanac

Deadline January 31, 2012

Are we moving from the futurist’s speed through contemporary dromology to the disappearance of the human body? What are the future trajectories of a continuous process of acceleration? Is the disappearance of the body through artificial speed a process of invisibility or that of a visibility through acceleration?

The instantaneous communication across Web 2.0 and the speed of interactions has created the feeling of a contradiction between an idea of constant presence and that of the disappearance of the body in a constant trajectory of ‘self-dissemination.’ In 1909 the futurists envisaged a new world and some of their far-fetched visionary ideas have come to pass. What is the role that speed will play in the future of humanity in the twenty-first century?

The Leonardo Electronic Almanac (LEA) is inviting proposals from scientists interested in light, speed and invisibility, from artists, critical theorists and academics in cultural studies and digital humanities for an issue on these themes with senior editors Lanfranco Aceti and Chris Townsend, Professor of Media Arts, Royal Holloway, University of London. Scientists that work on issues related to speed and invisibility, media theoreticians, historians, artists that represent in their work the high speed of life and contemporary society are particularly welcome to submit proposals for consideration.

The Leonardo Electronic Almanac (LEA) will produce an online and printed issue, as well as host curated images and videos online.

Proposals to: info@leoalmanac.org

a) Subject heading: Speed, dromology and invisibility?
b) 500 hundred word abstract for articles
c) January 31, 2012
d) 2 images at 72 dpi resolution no larger than 800 pixels width for artists
e) Links to previous work, videos or personal sites

Our publication formats allow for full-color throughout and we encourage rich pictorial content where relevant and possible. Note however that all material submitted must be copyright cleared (or due diligence must be evidenced). For online publication a wide variety of media content may be considered (animation, mp3, flash, java, etc…)

* For scholarly papers please submit the final paper ready for peer review. Your contribution will be reviewed by at least two members of the LEA board and revisions may be requested subject to review.
* For themed and pictorial essays please submit an abstract or outline for editorial consideration and further discussion.
* Please keep your news, announcements and hyperlinks brief and focused – include contact details and a link to an external site where relevant. We reserve the right to sub-edit your submissions in order to comply with LEA policies and formats. Where material is time-sensitive please include both embargo and expiry dates.
* In all cases specify special system considerations where these are necessary (platform, codecs, plug-ins, etc…)

For further information or images submission contact: Ozden.Sahin@leoalmanac.org