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WRITERS' GUIDELINES
Modernism magazine, founded in 1998, is a quarterly dedicated to 20th-century architecture, design and decorative arts. Its readers include collectors, dealers, design professionals and others with an interest in Modernism. We seek stories about notable, but not necessarily well-known, architects, designers and decorative artists and their work. We cover architecture, interior design, furniture and graphic design, as well as all forms of decorative arts, including, but not limited to, ceramics, glass, jewelry, lighting, textiles, metalwork and tableware. We are also interested in stories that look at unusual fields of production; we have covered, for example, the design of mid-century steamships and artists’ books.
We are interested not only in the products of design, but also in the stories behind the objects: what motivated the designer, who were his/her mentors or influences, why is the work significant and how does it fit into the larger context of 20th-century design and the social context of its time.
While our coverage tends to begin in the 1920s, we also consider stories that look at earlier periods, if a case can be made for the subject’s link to later movements. We have covered the Wiener Werkstätte and early Frank Lloyd Wright, for example, because their work was clearly seminal for later modernist ideas and production. Our readers are particularly interested in the midcentury period, and we also do stories on 1960s pop and postmodern work. We do cover some contemporary design, but we always look for the subject’s relevance to the modern movement. We do not ordinarily cover fine art, but we might, if the artist influenced a design movement or did design work in addition to painting or sculpture. A good example is the sculptor Isamu Noguchi, who was also an accomplished furniture designer. Another might be a muralist who created works for public buildings.
FEATURES
We publish three or four 2,000-2,500 word feature articles per issue. These range from scholarly (though written in an accessible style) to more personal, but all articles are well-informed views of a particular area of modern design. Articles about decorative arts and furniture tend to have an emphasis on collecting; we usually include sidebars with information on the relevant collectors’ market. We also publish interviews with well-known figures in the field, and try to track down living architects and designers whenever possible to interview them about their own work. Some designers and architects whom we have interviewed are Eva Zeisel, Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman, Thornton Ladd, E. Stewart Williams and Alfred Browning Parker.
SPACES
We feature one or two interior design projects each issue, often as part of a larger story about the renovation of a notable 20th-century house. If applicable, we emphasize the occupants’ collections of furniture and decorative arts. We do not cover contemporary architecture in general, unless the owners’ collections within the house merit attention. Length ranges from 1,000 – 1,500 words.
CITY REPORT
These are travel stories for people interested in modernist design. We cover a city or small region, discussing the development of its 20th-century architectural styles, and listing and describing notable houses and public buildings. We also list places to visit, such as period restaurants, vintage design stores and galleries, and museums. These are not typical travel stories; we do not list hotels, for example, unless they exhibit notable 20th-century design. Length ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 words.
CLOSE UP
Close Up is a close look at a specific topic such as an individual’s collection, a specific example of historic preservation, an interview with a designer or the redesign of a museum. Length ranges from 1,500 – 2,500 words.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Authors supply illustrations for their articles. Please keep in mind that our photography budget is minimal, so we rely on existing images rather than commissioning new photography. Authors must obtain all permissions for the use of photographs or other images. Permissions fees will be reimbursed only with prior approval from Modernism magazine. We accept slides, transparencies, photographic prints, as well as digital images. Digital images must conform to the following minimum specifications:
If submitting slides, transparencies or prints, please include a list of image names along with caption information and photo credits.
TEXT FORMAT
Text should be in Times New Roman, 1.5 spaced, with indented paragraphs and no space between paragraphs. Email text to andrea@modernismmagazine.com.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURE
To propose an article, send an email or letter to Andrea Truppin describing your subject matter, angle and illustration material. Please include a résumé and two samples of previously published writing, as well as a sample of unpublished writing. It helps to include images, but for the initial query, these can be low resolution digital files or photocopies.
Proposals are submitted on a speculative basis. A writer’s contract must be signed by the author and a representative of Modernism magazine before the assignment is official.
The mailing address for submissions is:
Andrea Truppin, Editor-in-Chief Modernism 199 George Street Lambertville, NJ 08530 Tel 609/397-4104 Email: andrea@modernismmagazine.com |