The softer side of sci-fi
Often stigmatized by outsiders and even casual fans as the
domain of geeky males who refuse to grow up, science fiction is undergoing
something of an image overhaul these days. If this weekend’s Astronomicon convention is any indication, the genre is
beginning to show signs of a shift toward a more feminine perspective. In fact,
this particular convention celebrates the contribution of women to sci-fi in
its various forms.
As a society, we can only hope to be moving at warp-speed
away from deep-set notions like “girls aren’t good at math,” so it was only a
matter of time before art caught up. KevenDiVico, one of the event’s organizers, expects that
featured guests such as painter Julie Bell (whose artwork is reprinted above),
astrophysicist/author Catherine Asaro, and
feminist/alternate history-themed author Pamela Sargent
can not only serve as examples for young women in the audience, but also share
tips for those interested in pursuing similar career paths and expanding the
form in their own way.
On a more general level, DiVico
would like to see science fiction cross more demographic barriers. As he runs
through Astronomicon’s three-day schedule — which
also features hands-on workshops, a presentation on young adult literature, and
a tournament competition on DDR, a video game where you dance on
touch-sensitive pads — it’s clear that he isn’t aiming this event strictly at
genre loyalists and wants very much for families to feel welcome.
“Science fiction pervades everything we do,” says DiVico, who owns a gaming company locally named Laughing
Pan Productions. He points out sci-fi’s roots in the classic literature of H.G.
Wells, Jules Verne, and, of course, Mary Shelley, but also stresses its broader
implications for the human condition: “It gives us entertainment and escapism,”
he says, “but also allows us to pose ‘what if?’ before we get into trouble.
Perhaps our moral and ethical growth isn’t occurring as rapidly as technology
is developing.”
Of course, old stereotypes die hard, and no sci-fi
convention would be complete without a borderline-obsessive focus on Star Trek. This year’s “Fan Guest of
Honor” is Bjo Trimble, who, as DiVico
explains, started the very first letter-writing campaign to get the series back
on the air. A “wake” is also scheduled as a vehicle for panel debate on whether
the Star Trek franchise should be put
to rest in light of ambivalent comments William Shatner
and Leonard Nimoy made to the press recently about
the show’s 40th anniversary.
Astronomicon takes place Friday,
November 10, through Sunday, November 12, at the Clarion Riverside Hotel, 120 East Main Street.
For more info check out www.astronomicon.info.
This article appears in Nov 8-14, 2006.
