Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Celebrate With FEM!

So, the website is being revised to house our fabulous and massive third collection, with its delicious emphasis on food (and all its relatives, like hunger and need and satiety and preparation), and Future Earth Magazine has never looked better than it does now, at three volumes strong.

fem vol 1
cover of FEM Volume One, image copyright Maarika, design and logo by Travis Hedge Coke

Co-founded by Daniel Rappaport and myself, the inimitable and glorious Rose Hugh joined as an editor before the first issue ever hit the web, and remain two firm legs of the magazine to this day. We have been joined for the third volume by recent MFA graduate and talented poet, screenwriter, and cook, Laurie Ortega, without whom the newest collection would probably be chopped down to what you might call "manageable size" but really means "we needed more editors to not be overwhelmed by the submissions' cool factor!"

FEM 2
cover of FEM Volume Two, design and logo by Daniel Rappaport

In the days before that miraculous third volume becomes publicly available through the magic of PDFs and the power of the internet, you may be interested to read this interviews I unearthed, done early in the gathering of this collection, with each of the awesome editors of your favorite visual art and text media magazine called Future Earth.


***

Rose Hugh


Why "Food"?

You know this could be fun in many ways. One article could have a good blend of humour and great food tips. The humor part being the old saying that "a way to a man's heart is through his stomach." Also, food is something everyone is into. There could be tips on super-reasonable and healthy makings to the finest gourmet meal around.

What do you provide different from the other editors?

Hopefully understanding and a very open heart to many feelings and experiences in life. Life experience is important and I have more understanding now than ever before. I also seem to find humor in life.

What does "Future Earth" mean to you?

Well, the first thing that comes to mind is where our Earth is at right now and that means encouraging "going green". Going Green is the future our Earth needs to move towards. Also, you can say it backwards: Earth's Future. What we see happening in the future.

I don't know if anyone has noticed but many Artists have begun choosing a theme of skulls and roses. It's like many people are at a point of dying to something or a chapter in their life and turning to Life, it seems to go deeper than "out with the old and in with the new." It could also be an expression of emotions with struggles and victories.

Future Earth can be most anything. A place to express yourself. Isn't that what Artists have been doing for centuries. A place where there is no right or wrong but acceptance.

Tell us a funny story about something you've experienced with FEM.

I thought it was really, really, humorous when I submitted a photo of the Statue of Liberty, one that I took myself on a simple instamatic camera and got the e-mail to end all e-mails saying that I had done fancy work in photoshop and god knows what else and was told to stop such foolery. Anyone who knows me, knows full well that I shot an e-mail back in full defense that no such thing was done nor would be done. I don't even know how to do what they were saying had been done but all is well that ends well and the photo was used.

What do you try to do with FEM that sets the mag apart from other lit or art journals?

Look for originality be it photos or poems or whatever. Something that people would see as interesting for it's purity and honesty.

If the four editors were Beatles, who would be which?

I see Travis as John Lennon. He was one of the founding members of the Beatles. He was known for "a rebellious nature and biting wit, in his music, on film and in books." Travis has these qualities but in a very refined way. He stands up and stands firm. I'd be Paul. He was the only one I had room in my heart for when I was a kid, turns out he was the "artistic" one and when he was with Linda, his deceased wife, there was no other. I am a similar type when I commit to finish what I start. I would be Paul because I think Travis and I would have that same "partnership" energy between us that John and Paul had. That's one main ingredient between them that made them so successful. I see Daniel as George Harrison. Harrison was also a film producer. He also "embraced Indian Mysticism and helped broaden the horizons of the other Beatles." He was also successful on his own. Daniel puts his faith into good and tries to truly help others when needed and he's got a great insight into the mystic realm and explains things well in that direction. Laurie would be Ringo Starr. He seems like he was the one who was very creative and contributed strongly to the band. He strikes me as a "show must go on" person and Laurie reminds me of that as well. She would "sing in the rain" and others would follow.



What's the one thing you want to see in FEM that hasn't been run yet?

An all-fairy issue. Nothing but fairy art, stories, research etc...and a country of the month offering traditions, food tips, travel etc.

What's something you never want to see again (as a serious submission)?

Have not really seen anything I object to. I know I wouldn't want to see porn in the raw. I mean, I like to see this as also a respectable magazine.

If FEM had a catchphrase, what would it be?

The "Future" is not ours to see. Que Sera, Sera.



COVER trial
cover image copyright Kimmy van Kooten, design and logo by Travis Hedge Coke


Daniel Rappaport

Why "Food"?

Well, hoot and hollar, why the hell not?! Since I am the one who came up with the topic, I shall elaborate. I am a “foodie”, if you will. The more expensive, and the more gourmet, the better - usually. Feed me frog legs, caviar, lobster, Colorado lamb, etc.., and I am in heaven. So, I was intensely interested to see what happens when we take food submissions, let Travis filter them out, and see what comes through to the other side!

What do you provide different from the other editors?

I don’t do much, lol! Actually, it is amazing how much the look that I have provided for the mag. has had an effect on how we operate, and what we accept. I am glad that folks have taken to it all with such open arms. It’s enormously gratifying.

What does "Future Earth" mean to you?

Well, I am certainly a fan of things like Star Trek, Star Wars, The Jetsons, and the like. So, I want a future full of flying cars, robot slaves, exploring the universe, and may I just ask.... WHEN IN THE WORLD WILL THE GOVERNMENT RELEASE THE ALIENS?! I mean, COME ON!! Humanity is certainly ready! I digress....

Tell us a funny story about something you've experienced with FEM.

Bunny April! ‘Nough said.

What do you try to do with FEM that sets the mag apart from other lit or art journals?

I let Travis run amok with the material. He does well.

If the four editors were Beatles, who would be which?

Actually, I think that this group of editors is much more like the Golden Girls. Rose is definitely Rose! Let me put it this way.... She has her own "St. Olaf" stories that are just as wild! Travis is, without a doubt, Sophia. While often saying that he is too old for this, and too old for that, her guides FEM with a certain, magical bluntness that you can't forget. Laurie is most certainly Dorothy. Her caring, and admirably mother-style personality do so much to keep us all together. And, since I didn't assign her to anyone else, I am most certainly Blanche! Hey, I'm proud to be a rich bitch!

Oh yeah... I also secretly dream about being Animal from The Muppets.

What's the one thing you want to see in FEM that hasn't been run yet?

I would love to see a run of commercial art. Graphic design. Interior design. Industrial design. Product design. Again, I would love to see what Travis would do with this stuff.

If FEM had a catchphrase, what would it be?

To boldly futurize - where no artist has gone before.



FEM 3 1
cover design and logo by Travis Hedge Coke


Laurie Ortega

Why "Food"?

Food is versatile. It can be the main subject of a piece or it can be a topic in a piece. It can also be used as a symbol for character's character: her/his personality, lifestyle, attitude towards other characters as well as life, state of mind.

What do you provide different from the other editors?

I’ll provide the perspective of a person who is fascinated by food in all its qualities and quanitities and who will remember her fascination of voice and story in order to provide fair assessments.


What does "Future Earth" mean to you?

"Future Earth" means arts are welcome. Visual and literary art and artists are embraced and fostered.


Tell us a funny story about something you've experienced with FEM.

When I went to F.E.M.'s first reading last Fall, I was overwhelmed and overdressed and overheated. Post-reading, when the editors and I went out to dinner, I escaped into an almost completely closed conversation (about food no less!) with Daniel. I thought I had scared Travis and Rose off with my Williams-Sonoma fangirlness.


What do you try to do with FEM that sets the mag apart from other lit or art journals?

I’ll try to do whatever is necessary to make F.E.M. have a wide range of contributors and supporters: whether it be introducing and inviting artists to F.E.M.., sending out messages to all of our members; and hosting and participating in readings. In short, being easily accessible—professional, supportive, and receptive—to potential contributors.

If the four editors were Beatles, who would be which?

Travis would be Paul

Daniel would be John

Rose would be Ringo

I (Laura) would be George


What's the one thing you want to see in FEM that hasn't been run yet?

I would like to see companion pieces—two poems meant to be read one after the other, facing each other.


What's something you never want to see again (as a serious submission)?

There's nothing that I would never want to see again as a serious submission to F.E.M. I believe that all art has intrinsic value because it captures a particular voice speaking on a particular experience or offering a particular point of view in a particular point in time.


If FEM had a catchphrase, what would it be?

"F.E.M.: Future Earth Magazine…The Magazine of The Earth’s Future.”




And, last but one hopes not least, Travis Hedge Coke

Why "Food"?

Daniel [Rappaport] recommended it; ask him!

Seriously, why not? It’s a basic necessity, you can spin just about any imagery, argument, or concept into, or out from, the central conceit of food. Food (and related topics, hunger and satiety) are, metaphorically and metaphysically, the core engines of much of human existence.


What do you provide different from the other editors?

I’m probably the soft touch of the group. It’s hard for me to not get excited about art, about stories or sketches. I’m like that parent who puts up drawings from not only their own kids, but all the kids in the neighborhood. I’m also more interested in the theme fitting the work, than the work being modeled to fit the theme.


What does "Future Earth" mean to you?

This is the future Earth, the one we’re living on right now. It will still be the future Earth tomorrow, and when we were making our way around it yesterday, it was our future Earth.


Tell us a funny story about something you've experienced with FEM.

When we were first soliciting submissions, I emailed everyone I could think of, anyone I was friendly with or that was suggested by a person I was friendly with. I figured, better to have a broad selection to choose from, for the issue, than be picky before the submissions came in, and risk missing something beautiful.

In those early submissions, I received emails accusing me of being a con artist and a religious proselytizer. What’s more, among the first submissions were headshots of a someone’s daughter (with a suggestion that she was “available”), a page of either random letters and numbers or an elaborately coded story, a ripped-off technical article on carbon nanofibres, and pornographic photographs of a woman dressed in faux Amish gear, with a hairbrush. There’s your Future Earth, right there.


What do you try to do with FEM that sets the mag apart from other lit or art journals?

I find a lot of literary magazines – and even moreso, fine art journals – are very precise in what sort of material they will or won’t run. I have been advised by editors at other places, in fact, to develop a list (for public or myself) of what I (and the mag) will never accept. You see in these lists things like “genre literature” (meaning, usually, they only accept Realism and material in the Silver Fork modes) or “offensive” (meaning a different thing to any person on the planet, usually judged by the know it when I see it method). My brain simply is not set up that way, and neither is FEM.


If the four editors were Beatles, who would be which?

Rose is our Paul, she’s got the cute with a side of inexplicable violence. Daniel is our John, complete with didacticism, focus, and experimentation. Laurie is George, in particular the fictional George from Yellow Submarine. I’ll stay with the group if someone decorates my drum set with flowers and I’ve got a hole in my pocket.


What's the one thing you want to see in FEM that hasn't been run yet?

Comics. We’ve done photography, poetry, paintings, essays, short stories, and screenplays, but there haven’t been any explicit comics. No word and image collages. I’m stuck pretending the entirety of each volume is a comic that the contributors were ignorant of contributing to, a narrative unto itself of vision and text.


What's something you never want to see again (as a serious submission)?

We have had some very ugly diatribes full of hate speech and furor. And submissions that came to us with more than seven different journals in the send alongside our address; that’s just insulting.


If FEM had a catchphrase, what would it be?

Submit now! Enjoy always!

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