John Freshnock

Like many other academic journals, contributors to each issue of the annual Oz Journal are asked to respond to a theme. Not all do so, but regardless the themes enable the editors to select the architects, historians, and other contributors, and thereby set the character of the resulting issues. Volume 11 carries the theme "The Myths of the Metropolis," which is hinted at in Gustav Doré's "Over London -- By Rail" gracing the cover. It and other Doré illustrations are found in Wayne Michael Charney's (Mick Charney, as I remember him from my days at KSU) contribution on the engraver's masterpiece. Other highlights related to the theme include a couple contributions on Seaside (one by its developer and one by students doing projects in the Florida town), Tod Williams and Billie Tsien's design for Vacant Lots, and Peter Rowe's essay on "Modern Pastoralism."… (mehr)