Page 13 - Studio Internationa - March 1971

produce a discussion of common problems, for example, be fitted with various types of which certain members have expressed active
a cross-fertilization of ideas, and a formulation scientific equipment for experimental use by interest in participating in Project 84. It should
of bases for action, and it is with these in mind artists, or become a 'new science lab' where be emphasized, however, that no commitments
that the proposals for Project 84 are now being experiments tying in with the development of have been made on behalf of any of the groups
put forward. new approaches to science could be tried out. or organizations listed, and all contact so far
Other possibilities include the installation of a has been on a strictly informal basis.
OUTLINE PLAN small computer terminal in conjunction with the LASITOC INTERNATIONAL. This group (its
Project 84 will require premises close to the Computer Arts Society, and of facilities for initials stand for Look At, Search In, Try Out
centre of London for accessibility, possibly producing pamphlets and other types of Committee on Integrative Studies of
initially in the Covent Garden area where rents literature. Alternative Futures) consists of a number of
are still relatively low. The area required will Administration. It seems of vital importance young scientists concerned with fife problems
be a minimum of two floors covering at least that the administration of Project 84 be both created by science and technology and with
1200 sq. ft. The present idea is that the ground realistic and efficient, yet at the same time the possible directions of future social
floor will consist of a bookshop, which will sufficiently flexible and imaginative to ensure development. The group held an international
incorporate a small art gallery, and the other that maximum use is made of the facilities workshop on 'Threats and Promises of Science'
floor, either basement or first floor, will have available. It will probably be run by a small at Imperial College, London, in July 1970,
a library that can be used as a meeting-room executive committee representing the various and the British section has expressed
for groups of up to twenty-five people, a interests concerned with the project, and considerable interest in co-operating with
small workshop, and an administrative office. possibly a couple of semi-permanent officers Project 84, particularly in helping to set up a
Bookshop. This would have on sale books who would be directly responsible to this library of books, magazines and reprints, of
and magazines relating to the areas of interest committee. Further details will be added when which it already possesses a wide range.
of the Project, for example futures research, the plans have been worked out more precisely. ARTS AND SCIENCE GROUP: BRITISH
ecology, science and society, and aspects of Finance. Obviously Project 84 cannot be SOCIETY FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN
modern art. A list of over 200 such titles self-financing, although those making use of SCIENCE. The issues that relate art and science
has already been compiled by Peter Harper its facilities will be required to contribute to each other are the main concern of this
of LASITOC (see under library below) and towards the running costs. It will therefore group, which has as one of its declared aims
has been taken in stock by the Rationalist be necessary to seek grants from institutions, the stimulation of projects designed to bring
Press Association, who have expressed interest foundations, and other bodies who recognize the two activities closer together. The group
in helping to run the retail side of the activity. the pressing need for this type of centre, and has expressed its support, in principle, for
Similar lists are becoming available from share a concern for future patterns of social Project 84, particularly for the idea of a library
elsewhere, and at the same time there appears and cultural developments. For the purposes that could be used for study of the areas under
to be a growing demand for literature in this of fund-raising, the project would hope to consideration. (BSSRS was set up in 1969 to
field. The art gallery would only be a small be registered as a charity. Detailed estimates stimulate among scientists an awareness of
affair, and might, perhaps, be used to sell print are in the process of being considered, but will the social implications of science, and to draw
editions and similar objects. depend to a great extent on the nature of the attention to the various pressures that affect
Library. Although there are separate libraries premises selected, and on the size of the staff- scientific development.)
already in existence covering the various fields if any - it is found necessary to employ. COMPUTER ARTS SOCIETY. Although no
of interest, there appears to be nowhere where formal contact has yet been made with CAS -
books and magazines covering the whole APPENDIX I whose aims are to encourage the creative use
area are gathered together. There are also a INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS. It might of computers in the arts and allow the exchange
number of newer publications, including those perhaps be questioned why there is a need for of information in this area - it has been
from both the underground press and the US, something like Project 84, when the ICA informally suggested that the society might
which do not find their way into the more already exists with one of its declared aims be interested in installing its computer
traditional libraries, yet which often contain being to bring together various aspects of terminal in Project 84 for use by its members.
useful and important material. Interest has contemporary culture. Those acquainted with It is hoped that discussions on this proposal
already been expressed by the LASITOC the ICA, however, will be aware of the will take place in the near future.
organization in using Project 84 as a home for institutional and administrative constraints REAL-TIME. A radical magazine for
its existing library, at present inaccessibly under which it is having to operate, particularly computer people that directs both pin-pricks
placed in Brighton. Research is being carried the fact that large-scale financial involvement and kicks at the underbelly of the computer
out into the extent to which existing libraries inevitably causes it to err on the side of caution industry. Real-Time at present suffers from
already serve demand in this area, and the gaps rather than experiment. The ICA has failed - a lack of geographical stability, but interest
which exist in their facilities. perhaps because of this - to become the magnet has been expressed in using Project 84 as an
Meeting-room. Many small organizations for contemporary culture that was part of its editorial base.
require a room in which they can hold informal original intention in moving into its premises SIGI KRAUSS GALLERY, 29 Neal Street,
discussion groups and small-scale meetings. in the Mall, and has at times appeared to Covent Garden, London WC2. The director
A possible arrangement might be for such achieve the opposite (cancelling, for example, of this, one of the newest and most
organizations to become affiliated to Project 84 an exhibition of American-flag sculpture as adventurous galleries in London, has already
at, say, £10 a year, and then charge a nominal being 'a bad idea' at the time). In addition, expressed interest in the possibility of
fee for use of the meeting-room. It could also the facilities it has available, including a 250- co-operation. E]
be used for informal poetry readings and seat theatre yet excluding any workshop or
film-shows, anything in fact which requires library, make it totally unsuitable for the type
an audience of no more than twenty-five to of activities and events that Project 84 has in
thirty people. Project 84 would hope to plan mind, although there are several fields in which
its own lectures and discussion groups relating the two bodies might co-operate.
to its areas of interest.
Workshop. The function of this would APPENDIX II
obviously depend upon demand, but it might, The groups listed below are those from