Starship 8

"There is no such thing as society," Margaret Thatcher notoriously declared in 1987. This pivotal eighth issue of Starship dives deep into the turbulent landscape of the 1980s—a decade defined by the aggressive dismantling of the welfare state, rampant careerism, corporate selfishness, and lobby renovations. It was a rabid free-for-all for those with wealth, and a monumental betrayal for those left with nothing, ultimately ushering in the complex political predicament we remain mired in today.

Yet, against this cynical backdrop, a powerful and resilient sense of community emerged. In England, workers took to the streets in defiance; in New York, fierce protests erupted against the government's negligent response to the devastating AIDS crisis. Within specific pockets of the art world, political collective engagement became far more vital than the commercial market.

Through its signature blend of visual essays, historical reflections, and critical texts, Starship 8 serves as both a historical excavation and a contemporary mirror, questioning how the fierce resistances of the 80s continue to shape our modern collective struggles. An essential publication for collectors of independent media, contemporary art history, and cultural theory.