The Role of Artists and Scientists in Times of War

Updated/Renewed by Guest Editor Michele Emmer, October 2004:

A few years ago, I sent out a call for papers on the subject of "The Role of Artists and Scientists in Times of War." We are living in a age of conflict, tension, wars and terrorism. Some people feel that a new type of world war has begun involving a clash between civilisations. Every day we see the slaughter of innocents, kidnapping and murder; we hear of conflicts whose causes have never been resolved and which continue to generate more conflicts and misery. And I'm not just referring to countries that we westerners consider "different" to ours. Think of the atrocious example that highly civilised Europe set during the 20th century.

Therefore, I'm not sure whether the question I posed years ago has any sense -- whether there is a role for artists and scientists, for intellectuals, in the attempt not so much to help towards resolving conflicts and tension, but at least to understand the causes. I begin to feel the only possible answer is that, in all truth, there is no role for them at all. However I believe there is a word that has been forgotten by the media, by opinion makers and by governments -- the word "ETHICAL," and that this concept is of vital importance. Viewed in terms of ethics, the role of scientists, artists and intellectuals is irreplaceable. It is clear that the commitment is never-ending, in a world that quickly forgets millions of victims who are dying of scourges like hunger or HIV. Despite the difficulty of imagining any possibility of changing the world, I continue to believe that the role of art in the widest sense is essential.

This is why I renew my request for proposals to Leonardo on the subject of "Artists and Scientists in Times of War." What can artists and scientists do when there is a war? How can we be useful? How can we help to find solutions? How can we avoid the use of the military while at the same time protecting the lives of innocent civilians? What educational work can we do to avoid violence and war?

Leonardo Editorial Advisor Michele Emmer and Leonardo seek papers discussing these and other topics that address the role of artists and scientists in times of war.

Please follow our editorial guidelines and submission procedures on where and how to submit your manuscript proposals.

Texts will be published in the following forms:

• Artist's/Scientist's Statement: 500 words with 1 image. Should reference additional information available on the Web or in the literature.
  
• Artist's/Scientist's Note: up to 2,500 words and 6 images describing one or two artworks in detail.
  
• Artist's/Scientist's Article: 5000 words and 12 images describing a body of work by one artist or work by a number of different artists.
  
  

The Leonardo Art and War Working Group:

Michele Emmer
Sheila Pinkel
Ana Peraica
Randall Packer
Nisar Keshvani
Roger Malina

Updated 16 September 2009