How might we break down the known into particles of the unknown in order for a new consciousness to emerge? Drain calls for works of art, thought experiments, essays and reviews that explore the unknown micro-universe beyond the perceptible, rational or understandable. Are there different ways of understanding, visualizing and materializing molecular flows, particle physics, micro-components of chemical engineering, nanotechnology, micro-movements, affects and micro-sensations; micro-fibres, the photo-haptic synaesthesia involved in contemporary micro-pointillism and accumulation? And what of the fundamental components of life: pollen, spores, cells, the viral and fractal, the crystalline and organic, neurological circuits, biochemical, hormonal, genetic processes of entropy or creativity? How have molar, rational, disciplined, aesthetic, scientific, artistic, economic and political structures and systems tried to control and exploit the molecular and molecular flows? And how might the molecular, and perhaps, infinite, microscopic substrate of the universe offer opportunities to break down such systems and structures of rational control and knowledge? How does the molecular subvert the visible, resisting and continually destabilizing the tangible, fixed and known? Is the molecular a positive force of freedom and change that creates patterns and vibrations of flux, flow and process, melange and hybridity across borders and underneath surveillance?

Submission deadline: July 31, 2013

Written work to g.minissale@auckland.ac.nz
Artworks to Avantika@drainmag.com

Drain is a refereed on-line journal published biannually. The journal seeks to promote lively and well-informed debate around theory and praxis. Each issue of Drain will have a specific concept that it explores. We are especially keen to publish pieces that connect the conceptual framework of each issue to themes such as globalization, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, capitalism and new technologies, as well as ethical and aesthetic concerns. As such, we welcome creative responses to contemporary culture, as well as written work by practitioners in the field of culture. Our primary mission is to provide an environment where a variety of creative activities can be explored with a combination of sensitivity and rigor.