Deep South v.2. n.3. (Spring 1996)
Welcome to the third issue of Deep South for 1996, which marks
the debut of a number of writers from Otago, Canterbury, Wellington,
and Massey Universities in New Zealand, as well as submissions
from around the world. Deep South is now under the official,
protective wings of the English Department at the University of
Otago. Thanks to the much-needed funding, the future of Deep
South is ensured for another academic year. All editorial
staff and contributors involved are thrilled.
This issue also marks my Editorial debut into the electronic realm
of journalism. When I arrived at Otago University in 1988, fresh
from high school, my only experience in publishing and journalism
was as Editor of the school newspaper. Fear and heavy work loads
deterred me from submitting any work during my Under-Graduate
years.
In 1995 when I was writing my MA, Deep South was created by Post
Graduate students eager to have their work published and I saw
an opportunity to rekindle an interest in writing. I was a poetry
sub-editor and occasional writer, beginning somewhat timidly,
with a book review and one or two poems written when I was an
under graduate. When I was appointed Technical and Administrative
Editor in September 1996, I was delighted.
I enjoy writing and always have done. My most recent and completed
'project' has been a Masters thesis entitled "Poetic Response
to the Visual Arts: An analysis of New Zealand Women Poets".
My interest in 'shared imagery' and art, was inspired by a sculpture
at the Women On Women art Exhibition at the Dunedin Public Art
Gallery in 1993. The sculpture, named Icon, symbolises
many things: as a large, equilateral triangle it is strong and
symmetrical; as a series triangular compartments it is a treasure
chest or display case; as a series of inter-connecting lines and
segements it evokes a "quilt" or a "web".
Recently I attended a seminar by Jayne Loader, the "wacky
'wench' from Waxahachie" held at the Otago Polytechnic School
of Art. Loader is currently involved in web writing and has her
own web site Public Shelter and
column 'WWWench'. As the seminar progressed I was reminded
of the power of the image of a web or quilt as a symbol of 'connections'
and 'spaces'. Loader fired with enthusiasm, showed the seminar
group the varied facets of her web writing - ranging from the
anti-nuclear, to the environmental, to sexual themes. Loader
also emphasised how writing for the web, is not only the promotion
of your own information but also the creation of connections to
other sources. Loader uses 'links' to other web sites to enhance
her writing and makes ironic connections which reflect her self-confessed
weird sense of humour.
As a departmental journal Deep South exists to publish
post-graduate work. Deep South is also about forming connections
with other readers and writers the world over. Loader proved
to me that writing on the web can be just as loud, just as effective
and more powerful than many other forms of media - the web is
by definition, "world-wide".
My current project is a series of essays and articles on the works
of J G Ballard. A Science Fiction issue of Deep South is
planned for March (approx) 1997. We welcome submissions on this
theme - prose, poetry, articles, reviews and commentaries.
Copyright (c) 1996 by
Lucy McAllister
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