STILLED SHADOWS

Novelist Chloe Aridjis returns to Swedenborg House to perform her ‘enchanting’ magic lantern presentation. Drawing on magic lantern slides held in the Swedenborg Society’s historic archive, Chloe will weave new narratives and stories to long forgotten image and events. Described by writer and editor Jennifer Higgie as “wondrously moving and occasionally funny” and by Juliet Jacques as “genuine, immersive magic” the event will also feature lanternists Jeremy and Carolyn Brooker.

“Utterly enthralling. An experience of how art nestled its way into technology. . . This unusual show —a time travel, in many ways— brings us to innocence after too much experience. Literally magic!”  Fiona Shaw

CHLOE ARIDJIS is a London-based novelist and writer. Her most recent novel, Sea Monsters, published in 2019 by Chatto & Windus, was awarded the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. Her 2009 novel Book of Clouds was published in eight countries and was awarded the French Prix du Premier Roman Étranger. Her 2014 novel Asunder was described by The Independent as ‘rapturous and enraptured reading’. Chloe’s work features enchanting fantastical themes, from the mysterious troupe of Ukrainian dwarves the protagonist of Sea Monsters follows to Zipolite, Mexico to the miniature eggshell landscapes populated with moths in Asunder. These dreamlike worlds evoke some of the stranger, more surreal aspects of Swedenborg’s work. Chloe undertook the Swedenborg Residency during 2019-2021.

“A work of beauty and enchantment. It will blow your mind to a good place”. Deborah Levy (writer)

CAROLYN AND JEREMY BROOKER are among the leading magic lantern performers working today. Over the past 20 years they have perfected the art of projection using an authentic triunial (triple) lantern combining three projectors in a single device; the rarest and most complex form of magic lantern entertainment. They present fast-moving shows featuring the most spectacular effects the lantern can produce. Their unique approach combines original hand painted slides with new slides of their own design and construction. Their innovative performances are informed by extensive historical research and privileged access to material in both public and private collections and this has led to many publications, contributions to TV documentaries and public lectures. However, their primary focus is on  performance and finding new ways to engage modern audiences. (http://www.magiclantern.org.uk/)

JAMES KEAY is a musician based in Stoke Newington. He performs regularly on BBC radio 2, 3 and 4, and with the folk singer Sam Lee. He is very proud to be Musical Director of Gifford Circus and is currently rehearsing Mother Goose at the Duke of York theatre starring Sir Ian McKellen, and working on an album of psychedelic ballads called Hollow Water.