M/C Journal 'complex' Issue Launched

I'm very happy to announce the next issue of M/C Journal:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 9 July 2007

M/C - Media and Culture
is proud to present issue three in volume ten of

M/C Journal
http://journal.media-culture.org.au/

'complex' - Edited by Jayde Cahir and Sarah James

Sydney's City Rail has recently launched an advertising campaign with the slogan of "untangling our complex rail network". City Rail position Sydney's rail network as a complex system. Describing something as 'complex' can be the answer to many questions. Rather than positioning 'complex' as the end result we would like to explore it as a starting point. What is complex? How is it complex? Why is it complex?

In socio-cultural terms 'complex' is used to describe transnational citizenship, communities, identities, multiple belongings, overlapping geographies and competing histories. Subsequently, if we think of 'complex' as something intricate, involved, complicated, dynamic, multi-dimensional, consisting of more than one element or various interconnected systems, 'complex' can therefore be applied to any area of research or topics of interest.

This M/C Journal issue assembles seemingly disparate interpretations of 'complex'. We did not want to reduce a journal edition on 'complex' into 'simple' neat links. Instead, we have grouped the articles together under four titles: "'Complex' and Affect: Complexities in the Concept of Love", "Situating 'Complex' within Fixed Social and Cultural Systems", "Positioning 'Complex' in Cultural Theories" and "Locating 'Complex' in Design". This thematic arrangement demonstrates how each interpretation of 'complex' forms assemblages and from this other assemblages can be formed. Such an approach reveals the way in which 'complex' entities emerge from 'complex' processes.

Feature Article
"The Complexity Revolution"
- Bob Hodge

Our feature article outlines and categorises complex(ity) in its varying forms. Bob Hodge positions complex(ity) in popular culture, science and humanities. Complex(ity)'s popular meaning reduces the concept to something that is intricate, involved, complicated or multi-dimensional.

Articles

"The Heart of the Matter: Complex as Productive Force"
- Richard Carpenter

"Punch-Drunk Love: A Post-Romance Romance"
- Glen Fuller

"From Bride to Care Worker?: On Complexes, Japan and the Philippines"
- Mario Lopez

"Commodifying Terrorism: Body, Surveillance and the Everyday"
- Yasmin Ibrahim

"Decisions on Fire"
- Valerie Ingham

"Culture and Complexity: Graffiti on a San Francisco Streetscape"
- Sarah James

"Complexity Theory: A Science of Cultural Systems?"
- Karen Cham and Jeffrey Johnson

"A Vision of Complex Symmetry: The Labyrinth in The Man Who Wasn't There"
- Ilana Shiloh

"Curatorial Design & Complexity"
- Vince Dziekan

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Further M/C Journal issues scheduled for 2007:

'home': article deadline 29 June 2007, release date 22 August 2007
'error': article deadline 24 August 2007, release date 17 October 2007
'vote': article deadline 19 October 2007, release date 12 December 2007

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M/C Journal 10.3 is now online: <http://journal.media-culture.org.au/>.
Previous issues of M/C Journal on various topics are also still available.

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Visit all four M/C publications at <http://www.media-culture.org.au/>.

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All contributors are available for media contacts: mc@media-culture.org.au.

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