Philosoprops : A Unified Field Guide

by Alyce Santoro

Scientist-turned-artist's illustrated guide to how thought – and objects that spark it – shapes culture. Santoro writes "PHILOSOPROPS: A UNIFIED FIELD GUIDE is equal parts art exhibition catalog, cultural critique, autobiography, and invitation to reconsider the standard compartments into which we are taught to divide our world. It also serves as a long answer to the question I am most frequently asked: What made you think of that?"

100 pages, ebook

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Alyce Santoro is a conceptual and social/environmental practice artist, activist, and writer with a foundation in marine biology and scientific illustration. Best known as the inventor of Sonic Fabric, an audible textile woven from recorded audiocassette tape, Santoro refers to her multimedia works as "philosoprops" – devices used to demonstrate a concept or spark a dialog. Alarmed by what she sees as the direct relationship between the detached mindset cultivated in scientific research (and widely adopted by Western culture) and the destructive propensity of the technology that results from it, her works often offer subtle and deceivingly playful critique of the foibles of dualistic thinking.

Santoro's visual and sound pieces have appeared in over 50 exhibitions around the world related to smart textiles and fashion, innovative musical scores, and social action and ecology. A regular contributor to Truth-out.org and the author of "Philosoprops: A Unified Field Guide", her written works often focus on the notion that by shifting some common assumptions about "the way things are" we can create a more just, healthy, and peaceful world.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conceptual art retrospective and humanist manifesto. Alyce is articulate, deeply thoughtful, and unwavering in her vision of a world of communal creativity where we embrace the interconnections we share with each other (and with everything else, for that matter).
In an age where so much contemporary art practice requires specific background information and context for full appreciation, the descriptions of her artworks provide a rich and engaging esthetic experience.
Thoroughly enjoyable, but be prepared to engage with more complex ideas than your average read.

[Martin Raybould · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and thought-provoking study showing how science and art can join forces to enable us to see the world differently . Click this link for more info and an extract.

[Maria N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alyce wrote a beautiful explanation of her art and philosophy. Her hopeful, critical, eye-opening, and all-encompassing worldview is wrapped into her writing, art, and philosoprops.

[Maro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight to the philosophy and art of Alyce, a pride to be part of the Obvious International