Aperture 235

Orlando, a novel by Virginia Woolf, tells the story of a young nobleman who shifts gender and lives for three centuries without aging. In 1992, filmmaker Sally Potter adapted the book with Tilda Swinton as Orlando. Swinton guest edited a special issue of Aperture magazine to explore the themes of gender, indeterminate space, and the passage of time, celebrating openness and curiosity. The issue will feature images and writings by artists and writers who are kaleidoscopically wired.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 11 September 2019
Publisher: Aperture

Virginia Woolf's groundbreaking 1928 novel "Orlando" weaves a captivating tale of a young nobleman who, during the Elizabethan era, undergoes a mysterious gender transformation and embarks on a remarkable three-century journey without experiencing the passage of time. Despite its historical setting, the novel remains remarkably contemporary in its imaginative exploration of gender fluidity. In 1992, filmmaker Sally Potter brought Woolf's story to the screen, with Tilda Swinton taking on the role of Orlando. Swinton has been deeply influenced by the novel, describing it as a "magic mirror" that continuously shifts and reveals new aspects. Initially perceived as a tale of eternal youth, she now perceives it as a profound exploration of growing up and learning to live.

To commemorate the enduring impact of "Orlando," Swinton has curated a special issue of "Aperture" magazine. This issue, guest-edited by Swinton, delves into the themes of gender, indeterminate space, and the passage of time, offering readers a captivating collection of images and writings that celebrate openness and curiosity. Swinton notes that Woolf wrote "Orlando" in a spirit of celebration of the ever-changing nature of existence, viewing the creative mind as androgynous. She believes that the novel is less about gender specifically than it is about the flexibility and adaptability of the fully awake and sensate spirit. As Orlando himself famously remarks during his transformative moment, "Same person, different sex: no difference at all."

The issue of "Aperture" will thus serve as a tribute to indeterminacy. It will be populated by the voices and visions of artists and writers who are characterized by their kaleidoscopic wiring, showcasing the diversity and richness of artistic expression. Through their work, these individuals invite us to explore the boundaries of gender, challenge societal norms, and embrace the complexities of the human experience.

"Orlando" remains a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and challenge readers and filmmakers alike. Its playful exploration of gender and its celebration of the human spirit's capacity for transformation make it a relevant and powerful work of literature. As we navigate a contemporary political landscape marked by insurgent parochialism and divisiveness, the themes of "Orlando" offer us a beacon of hope and a call to embrace openness, curiosity, and the limitless possibilities of existence.

Weight: 866g
Dimension: 239 x 306 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781597114615