Editorial

Editorial Commentary on the Current Issue During the last two decadesprophecies have repeatedly portrayed the full integration of the computer into the arts, from its obvious applications to the unimaginable. Three articles in this issue leave no doubt as to the validity of these prophecies. The computer is indeed becoming a commonplace tool and medium in the artist’s repertoire. In an extensive two-part article, sculptor Robert Fisher and architect/programmer Raymon Masters detail their collaboration involving computer-aided design (CAD). They discussthe design and ultimate realization of complexsculpturalconstructions which would have been virtually impossible without the powerful resources of CAD. Artist Myron Kreuger in his “Report from the Artificial Reality Laboratory” explains VZDEOPLACE,a human-machine interactive environment. He describes the development of this computer/video installation which allows participants to interact in real-time with electronically generated visual imagery. In a scholarly article Susan Brennan outlines the current status of her research on a computer-based, interactive system for caricature generation. One can infer from this essay that the boundary between scientificand artistic investigation is sometimes indistinct. All three of these essaysprovideevidencethat the computercan transcend itsmore typical artistic application of generating optically sophisticated graphic imagery; it can also be integral to the investigation and understanding of complex conceptual and physical structures. In addition to the above articles, this issue contains notes by artists from Belgium, Hungary, Israel and the U.S.A., as well as recently available writings by the noted Russian artist Aleksandr Rodchenko with an introduction by Co-Editor KirillSokolov. There is also an update by Co-Editors David Topper and John Holloway of their extensive bibliography (Leonardo 13, 29-33 (1980))on the literature related to the interrebtionships of the arts, sciencesand technology.Finally, designscientistArthur Loebhaswritten an in-depth review of Linda Henderson’s recent milestone book on The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometryin ModernArr. This review is exemplaryasthe typeof essayswe wish to publish on books of major importance to the journal’s readership. Historical Perspectives Section Historian andLeonardo Co-Editor David Topper willbe relinquishinghispost aseditor of the Journal’s semi-annual section entitled “Historical Perspectiveson the Arts, Sciencesand Technology”. A long-time friend of the Journal whose support wasparticularly important during the recent transition period, Professor Topper has edited this section since 1982.On behalf of the editors, I wish to express our appreciation to him, not only for his written contribution to the Journal, but also for his understanding and support of the comprehensive mission of. the Journal. I look forward to his continuing affiliation as an International Co-Editor. It is our intention that the Historical Perspectivessectioncontinue,although itseditorship is untended for the moment. I invite interested and qualified individuals to send proposals for editing this section to my attention. To date the section has functioned as a digest of current historical articles related to the aims and scope of the Journal; however, alternative approaches are equally viable. The section should in some fashion encompass the largest possible historical overviewof issuesrelated to the interaction of art,scienceand technology. Moreover, it should complement the Journal’s semi-annual“Theoretical Perspectivesonthe Arts, Sciencesand Technology” section, edited by David Carrier (see issues17-4and 18-2). U.S.National Endowment for the Arts Grant Award During the past two years, a grant from the Artists’ Forums category of U.S.National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has enabled the Journal to offer honoraria to artists whose writings it publishes. The Journal’s editors and its parent organization, the International Societyfor the Arts, Sciencesand Technology(I.S.A.S.T.), arepleased to announce that our proposal to the NEA has been approved for a third year. As a result of this funding, published artists will continue to receive U.S.$250forArticles and U.S.$lOO for Notes. The grant will also be used to support Editorial Office expenses incurred in editing artists’ writings. PwgamonPreoa Ltd. Printed in Great Britain. 0024-004x/86 *3.00*0.w LEONARDO, Vol. 18,NO.3, pp. 131-132,1985 131 Upcoming Special Issue Commemorating Jacob Bronowski The next issue of Leonardo will be a special issue entitledJacobBronowski: A Retrospective. It originates from a symposium held in 1984 at San...