Radix
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| Categories |
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|---|---|
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Total circulation (2020) | 1,7 million |
| Founder | Catherine Baudelaire |
| Year founded | 1984 |
| Company | Radix Co-Op |
| Country |  Gylias |
| Based in | Tavis, Aðuna |
| Language | |
| Website | http://www.radix.gls/ |
Radix (Latin: "root"; Gylic transcription: Radiks) is a Gylian magazine of culture and politics. Founded in 1984, it analyses the intersection of politics and pop culture, with a perspective informed by progressivism and acid communism. Its articles are accompanied by glossy production values and sophisticated graphics.
History
Radix was founded in 1984 by Catherine Baudelaire. She envisioned the magazine with a specific focus on radicalism in popular culture, and a presentation modeled after L'Petit Écho and Silhouette. Its first issue declared its intent to concentrate on "the relationship between radicalism, experimentation, and the arts."
From the start, Radix espoused anti-authoritarian left politics and became known for its broad coverage of pop culture. It was one of the first Gylian publications to cover hip hop and dub, which would inspire influential pieces on sampling as an art and the recording studio as musical instrument.
During the wretched decade, it was also viciously critical of the Revolutionary Rally and Front for Renewal of Order and Society. It played a role in the removal and prosecution of FROS parliamentarians, and exposing and opposing the dérive au droite.
Radix achieved a wide audience and national success during the 1990s. The decade's renewed spirit of national optimism complemented its enthusiastic support for an experimental and progressive popular culture.
The magazine covered the growth of dance culture and remix culture, the Gylian demoscene, new art forms birthed by computers and the internet, and video games. It campaigned for stronger protections of sampling during the drafting of the Law on Cultural Protection of 1992.
Catherine stepped down as editor-in-chief in 2000, but remains a member of the magazine's management board and continues to write for it.
Ownership and organisation
Radix is owned and published by the Radix Cooperative, legally constituted as an SC. Its headquarters are in Tavis, Aðuna.
The magazine has a 5-member Management Board and a 10-member Supervisory Board, elected yearly.
The magazine's revenue comes from newsagent's sales, paid subscriptions, online orders, and donations. Donors are listed at the end of each issue. It does not accept advertising.
Content and style
Radix features articles about the intersection of radical politics, avant-garde experimentation, and popular culture. Its viewpoint has variously been described as progressive, libertarian socialist, and anarchist. Its perspective is informed by Marie-Hélène Arnaud and Janet Randy's theory of acid communism and writings on socialist dance culture, and Tomoko Tōsaka's philosophy of "applied avant-garde".
The magazine's reviews and commentary focus on the political and sociological implications of the works in question. Its features have tackled topics such as the links between psychedelia and left-wing politics, the use of popular culture to disseminate utopian ideas, the revolutionary implications of communal celebration, and the emancipatory and autonomist possibilities of nightlife.
Radix is written primarily in French and English. Its writing style is known for its humour and accessible language. Its graphics display notable influence from gauchic and psychedelic art.
Catherine once stated that out of all Gylian political parties, "The ones closest to us in spirit would be the People's Party for a Flourishing Nightlife, with a bit of the LSD Party."
Contributors
Notable contributors have included Catherine Baudelaire, Janet Randy, Marie-Hélène Arnaud, Marisa Ibáñez Flores, Mana Kirishima, Nora Gunnarsen, Sigrid Eisen, and Virginia Inman.