175 x 250mm, 125 pages, Colour printing, Perfect bound, Softcover, 2021

The power of language is introduced early in Orwell’s 1984, where linguistics and the meaning of words are manipulated by an oppressive dictatorship. Consequently, how the inhabitants of Oceania cognitively interpret and reflect on their world is limited by vocabulary control. Its logic is not unfamiliar, grounded in the theory that language shapes our thoughts and behaviours—a concept referred to as linguistic relativism.

Our foundation at -ism was invoked by an interest in the principal mechanisms of language, namely the written word and speech. Layered upon this is our often cited desire for bold and necessary critical reflection concerning the built environment. 

In the two years leading up to this issue being published, and still to this very day, long-standing violence, anguish and prejudice are being further unveiled from hiding in the normalised systems of society. In response, we felt that it was imperative to utilise our role as a publication and reflect on the global, yet personal, pertinent theme of identity.

Published by