Native Tongue Reading Group #1

About

Anna Bunting-Branch uses science fiction as a methodology to re-vision feminism and its histories, remixing elements from a range of sources to generate new and imaginative resonances. Her work, exhibiting as part of the Jerwood Solo Presentations 2017, draws inspiration from the work of linguist and science fiction writer Suzette Haden Elgin. In a decade-long thought experiment, Elgin crafted a feminist constructed language named Láadan, which was disseminated through a series of sf novels. The Native Tongue trilogy, published between 1984 and 1994, created a storyworld around Láadan and introduced this “women’s language” to a community of fans.

To coincide with her commission two reading group sessions provide the opportunity to read and discuss selected chapters from the Native Tongue trilogy. This session is the first. Following the model of feminist small-group consciousness raising, participants will be invited to reflect on what this future-oriented story from the past can offer to present-day feminist thinking, and how Elgin’s visions of the future might be re-imagined in the context our own contemporary experiences.

Participants are asked to read the texts beforehand. To book a free place and receive a PDF please email lauren.houlton@jerwoodspace.co.uk