Discovering the universes crafted by the late, insightful author Ursula K. Le Guin, from the Earthsea realm to the world of Gethen, offers a unique enchantment. The Earthsea series holds a special place as one of the earliest works I read that featured non-White protagonists. Her meticulously created maps reveal a mind constantly at work, weaving narratives that challenge linearity and traditional science fiction norms, as well as how authors connect with their readers. “A book is just a box of words until a reader opens it,” Le Guin remarked in response to the numerous letters from her admirers.
Theo Downes-Le Guin has brought his mother’s artistic and literary vision to life in an exhibition at Oregon Contemporary in Portland, writing passionately about curating it with both innovation and sensitivity in a poignant essay. I especially value his insights on her evolving identity as both a writer and individual, offering a nugget of wisdom worth preserving: “Rather than worship an immutable icon, we should aspire to her willingness to learn and change.” — Lakshmi Rivera Amin, associate editor
Embarking on the challenge of curating an exhibition about a parent was no easy feat for Theo Downes-Le Guin, who undertook this endeavor last year in tribute to the remarkable Ursula K. Le Guin. Known for her constant reinvention and resistance to being categorized, it is only fitting that her typewriter features in the exhibit, allowing visitors to leave their own contributions and alter the narrative with each keystroke. “I hoped visitors to A Larger Reality, at Oregon Contemporary through February 8, could experience a little of the residual magic that I find clings to it, pecking out whatever they please, taking home the original and leaving a carbon copy for posterity,” Downes-Le Guin reflects, contemplating the constraints of storytelling and the ways to convey his mother’s legacy.
