Syster Papyri Magicae is an interactive non-linear narration of stories, that unfold the phenomenon of gender exclusions in male-dominated hacker culture. The project aims to document, discuss and activate a variety of feminist practices that respond to this issue. A fantasy context, including spells, quests, witches and wizards, is used to describe actual incidents and testimonies.
The website manifests as playful navigation to a growing, collectively editable Wiki, where incidents of sexism in tech, as well as feminist projects, are being documented. With the aid of the early web witchcraft of hyperlinks, one may discover documentation of actual events, wiki pages to write their versions of stories, external feminist projects, or even dead-ends.
While strolling through the website, one receives a number of quests, that ask them to choose what they would do in several situations of gender exclusion. This method helps to realise how hard it is to respond and take action, under these circumstances. It is also a way to open discussions on diverse feminist approaches, learn about the urgencies and potential of feminist hacker practices, and if interested, become a contributor.
Syster Papyri Magicae (2020) is published under the terms of the Peer Production License (PPL). The Peer Production License is an example of CopyFair licensing, in which only other commoners, collectives and nonprofits can share and re-use the material in question.
Artemis Gryllaki is a researcher and media artist, with a background in architecture and music. Her current work focuses on the urgencies and potentials of autonomous networks and feminist communities.
