Fourth Door Review 4, builds on previous issue's explorations of the space
and connections between the ecological and technological. Its six complementary
sections all uncover original and hitherto ignored links between the uses
and abuses of technology and 'nature'
In this issue 'Architexts' considers aspects of new media in the built environment. In depth pieces on Brian Eno's ambient videowork, Germanys' leading holographer Dieter Jung and his 'public-private space' holography and Finlands light sculptor, Helena Hietanen and her fiberoptic 'Technolace' creations explore their works possible integration into a future environment built around balance in our pace of living, rather than ever accelerating lifestyles.
'Margins of Music' explores the changing topographies of music, sound and place and, in part - uniquely so far- how it is being effected by the convulsions of cyberspace, net culture and new media. This themed section includes an extensive piece on the Future Sound of London's ISDN concerts; Tuvan throat-singers, Yat-Kha turn to hi-tech in their musical voice of the land; and the Scandinavian resonances of place embodied in many of the well-known ECM jazz label recordings.
With this edition a new themed section is included. 'Dreams of Consciousness', explores consciousness issues from a range of perspectives, creativity and the human spirit are central to such solutions, so the review weaves consciousness studies into its myriad agenda - with this issue featuring part one of the most extensive interview with physicist Fritjof Capra in recent years. It also includes an interview with water photographer Susan Derges, a report on CAiiA's Consciousness Reframed conference and the mixed-media rituals of performance group Red Earth - whether they genuinely interface the Javanese and Celtic spirit worlds through video, performance art and ambient music.
On the ground, in 'Middleground' the great Scottish adventure of bringing back the Caledonian Forests is thoroughly overviewed, CD-roms on greening ceramics reviewed, and the 'make-do' section guides you through making traditional Portuguese toys, alongside willoweaver Lizzie Farey's exquisite baskets.
'Wordwatch' the book review section, looks at an I Ching CD Rom, two books on the future of the hand, as well as another on Siberian footware!
This time, the new media section 'Digitalis' sits nestled within the other main sections, for instance the Future Sound of London's ISDN piece, the 'Consciousnee Reframed' conference, and the I-ching and eco-ceramics CD rom reviews.
All this within the unique and compelling design which Fourth Door Review has become known for, alongside its original and exciting mixture of new and old media imagery.
Full contents:
Margins of Music (Music and Place and Cyberspace)
Between Silence and the sound of the Hyperglade: The Future Sound of London and the ISDN performance futures
Flowing North; Tuvan river punk, Yat-Kha
Earthjazz: ECM and the textures of the north by David Rothenberg
Architexts
Angel hairs in the Architecture: Helena Hietanen and her Fiberoptic Technolace
Ambient Lightworks: Brian Eno's video work by Kevin Eden
Sculpting the Luminous: the holography of Dieter Jung
Middleground
Caledonian Forests Reborn: the Scottish Reforestation adventure
Clay and computers, green on the screen: Re:Presenting Making CD Rom review
Making traditional Portugues toys by Simon Watts
Recipe
Permaculture hints by Patrick Whitefield
Dream of Consciousness
Interfacing spirit worlds: Red Earth's Javanese odyssey
The Consciousness Reframed Conferences
Beyond Ecotopia, a conversation with Fritjof Capra, by Sara Boas
The dreamlife of water: Susan Derges Wordwatch (book reviews)
the Multimedia I Ching review by Malcolm Learmonth
Spirit of Siberia
The Hand (Frank Wilson) and Abstracting Craft: the digital practiced hand
(Malcolm McCullogh)
