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Stranded magazine is continuing nicely – and with the impending return of the ash cloud, we may even get some more last-minute contributors.
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Though I’m finally back in the States, Stranded magazine continues apace. I’ve been getting some really rather special work created by talented, stranded contributors around the world.
Here’s a few excerpts from what’s come in so far:
What’s that?
What’s what?
Out the window.
It’s a cloud.
It’s a really dark cloud. Are we over the volcano?
We shouldn’t be.
But are we?
I don’t think so.
It looks like the cloud’s getting bigger. We’re heading towards it.
That would be ridiculous. Why would we do that?
- ‘Losing Altitude’, a spooky short story by Chief Clancy Writer Richard Dansky
One of the ways we measure progress is through a constant increase in the possible connections between people, places and things – a constant expansion of social, spatial and commercial networks enabled by the Internet and by international transport and trade.
What happens when the system, defined by so many dependencies, disrupts? Are we equipped to plan for a future characterized by unpredictable constrictions on the supply of on-demand access to those people, places and things outside of our immediate, physical grasp? Probably not. But, wait, isn’t this the future that the climate crisis promises? Most definitely.
- ‘Disruptions to the System’ by Cassim Shephard
‘Act of God’ was the explanation heard most frequently when there were monies or reimbursements involved. Moreover, the American radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh declared that the ash cloud was revenge from God for the passage of the Health Care bill in the US.
God, of course, is a wrathful, mean-spirited Republican but why would he want to take out his anger by condemning jet-setters to an extra week or more of vacation?
- ‘Explanations for Airspace Closure’ by Squawker_
All the tracks but one are connected to airports, flying, traveling, the cosmos or driving. Overall, there’s a movement in opposition to being stuck in an airport.
It starts with Ambient 1 Music For Airports (Brian Eno) and finishes with Music For Shopping Malls (Zafka / 718 / Yan Jun), which is all about consumerism, as all those “poor” people stuck at the airport will go shopping there, and feel better in the end.
- ‘Track list for people stuck in airports’ by C-drík
Oh and there’s this, created by Matt McArthur:
I think we’re onto something here. Contributors still welcome – as long as you are, or were, stuck somewhere due to the ash cloud. Thanks, by the way, to The Guardian and The Independent for featuring it. The mag’ll be on sale within a month.
Mirka23′s bed, photographed for Stranded magazine.
After six days begging the cloud to disappear, I’m now praying it hangs around, at least long enough for my new editorial team to fulfill their commissions. Still, the backlog at the airports should help.
Things are slowly coming into place. I’ve decided to split the magazine into two sections, Stranded and Grounded. The first is for people stuck away from home. The second is for people stuck at home and unable to get to wherever they were planning on going.
Both sections are still very much open for contributors. So far, we include in our number some experienced brand designers, a horror writer, an art critic, a teacher (with his class in tow), a couple of photographers and illustrators, two djs, a jewellery designer, a social media expert… If you’re stranded like we are, this is the party to be at.
There’s been one more slight change to the project: after some thought, I’ve decided to change the designated charity destination for any profits from the magazine. Rather than a climate change charity (which is an important issue, don’t get me wrong), I’ve decided it’s much more fitting/poetic to give any monies to a refugee charity.
Millions of people are currently stranded away from home around the world, for more tragic reasons than an ash cloud. Many of them face few or no prospects of ever making it back, and also aren’t welcome in the countries they’ve landed in. There are important parallels and differences between the two situations, and I want to highlight some of these through my choice of recipient.
As for which charity… I’ll choose one as soon as I have time to research it. Any suggestions more than welcome.
