Ursula K Le Guin's Unseen Maps Published in Book and Exhibition

The recently released book and exhibition titled 'The Word for World: The Maps of Ursula K Le Guin,' curated by Sarah Shin and So Mayer, showcases the previously hidden cartographic creations of the renowned science-fiction author. These maps, preserved in the University of Oregon archive, vary from simple sketches to intricate multi-sheet designs, featuring both conventional geographical markers and mythical imagery such as dragons and talismans. Scheduled for publication in 2025 by Silver Press and AA Publications, this initiative coincides with an exhibition at the AA School in London during winter 2025. The book includes essays from philosophers, poets, and Le Guin's son, Theo Downes-Le Guin, examining the connection between maps and reality. In a designboom interview, Shin highlights how Le Guin's maps defy rational abstraction and reconnect representation with the landscape, emphasizing her fascination with scale. The title pays homage to Le Guin's 1972 novel 'The Word for World Is Forest,' where the Athshean culture equates the terms for forest and world. Shin notes that these maps represent a lesser-known aspect of Le Guin's creative endeavors.