Evolution and Metamorphosis of Leonardo

EVOLUTION AND METAMORPHOSIS It seemsfitting that this special issue on form should introduce Leonardo’sown metamorphosis in both form and process.The change in form-the complete redesign of thejournal from logo through all aspects of look and layout-has been a goal of thejournal editors for a number of years, for the express purposes of increased visual appeal and increased accessibility of the text. But it was ultimately the metamorphosis of the process of producing Leonardo that led to thejournal’s redesign. The new design has been implemented, and the actual pages of this issue typeset, using the tools of the new desktop publishing industry that is revolutionizing publishing today. Process With a stated goal since its inception of recognizing and furthering the interactions of art, science and technology in contemporary culture, Leonardocould not long avoid taking advantage of technology’snew publishing tools once the costs came within the reach of a small editorial enterprise. In late 1987 the editors,with the encouragement of Pergamon Press and the financial support of the Maxwell Foundation, began investigatingthe options and computer system configurations availablefor producing Leonardo electronically-i.e. from receipt of manuscripts on computer disk or via modem, through the processes of copy editing, page layout and final production of camera-readypages by an electronic typesetting machine reading diskswritten on a personal computer. Under the able direction of ISAST Board Member Richard A. Wilson of Intelligent Tool and Eye,who has offered invaluable assistance and guidance through this transition, today these plans have become reality. We are pleased to present to our readers this special issue on Art and the New Biology as the first electronicallypublished issue of Leonardo. Form While the method used to produce thejournal pages is largely invisible in the final product--except perhaps to the trained eye-even the most casual reader will notice obviouschanges in the visual appearance of Leonardo.Early in the process, thejournal initiated a search for a designer familiar with the tools and possibilities of the new technology as well as sensitiveto Leonardo’s2@yeartradition and the journal’s present editorial needs. Thomas Ingalls t Associates of San Franciscowas selected to design a new look for Leonardo that maintained continuity with thejournal ’s past while utilizing the page space and the new publishing tools to best advantage . The editors are delighted with the elegance, flexibilityand accessibility of the new Leonardothat emerged from Ingalls’sdesign studio. Anticipating that our readers will find the new design a tool in itself for delving into each issue, the editors welcome comments on the new design from interested readers. 01989ISAST PergamonPress plc. PrintedinGreat Britain 0024494)(/89 S3.00+0.00 LEONARD0,Vol.22.No.1,p. 147-148,1989 147 Electronic Bulletin Boards I,wnardo’s adventure into electronic publishing has opened up additional avenues of communication among artists and others interested in contenipora? tcchntr logical art. In 1988 ISAST announced the founding of two electronic bulletin boards: F.A.S.T. and FINEART Forum. F.A.S.T., the Fine Art, Science and Technology database, covers all applications of science and technology within the arts, including computer graphics and animation , artificial intelligence in the arts, computer music, holography, robotics and telecommunication art. Published monthly on-line over the MiEL.I., M(:I and the (DMPUSERVE network, F.A.S.T. features a calendar of events and conferrnces; directories of resources, grants and orgaiiiiations;jc)b listings; frerwarr listings; bibliographies; book lists; and a discussion board. The F.A.S.T.database not onl!. allows rapid access to information but also facilitates direct contact among subscribers via the rapid dissemination of information in the FINEART Forum newsletter. FINEART Forum, free t o interested scholars, educators and researchers, is distributed hi-weekly and available over most academic computer teleconimuiiic~itions networks, such as ARPANET, BITNET, CSNET, EARN, INTERNET and thc. W,I.1.. F.A.S.T.and FINEART Forum arc edited by Raymond Lauzzana, professor of. computer graphics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts. Dialogue While today’s technological advances are able to increase coinmrinicatioIi ;imong an ever-growing population with access t o that technology, at the same tinw tht, technology is having a polarizing...