Science fiction writer Brian Aldiss possessions proved the inspiration for his daughter’s new photography book.
Wendy Aldiss is an Oxford photographer and the daughter of the late Mr Aldiss, who died in 2017.
He was an accomplished writer of science fiction and the author of the classic Helliconia trilogy and the short story, Super Toys Last All Summer Long, which was later the inspiration for Steven Spielberg’s 2001 film AI.
He was also literary editor of the Oxford Mail.
Usually Ms Aldiss focuses her work on the human form and existence, but after her father’s death she found herself gripped on photographing his possessions.
Every mundane item he owned from books to sweet wrappers and nail brushes was pictured and put together in a collection called My Fathers’ Things.
In January Ms Aldiss displayed an installation for an exhibition called Inside the Void.
Using the same concept she displayed the photographs of her dad’s possessions on his desk and bookshelf. People were able to peek inside draws and find more photographs of objects he owned.
Almost a year later My Father’s Things is set to be self-published in a 250-page book with the help of designer Maggie Smith.
Ms Aldiss, 61, is aiming to document and celebrate her father’s life as well as echo the exploratory nature seen in the photography in the book.
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She has some pages that appear to be cupboard doors, but actually fold out to reveal more images.
The books will have Mr Aldiss’ bookmarks inside collected from his book collection. The bookmarks are sweet wrappers and tickets stuffed inside pages he planned on returning to.
Ms Aldiss said: “It is another way of keeping that continuation of finding the things in his home and putting them into the book and moving them forward.”
She added: “He did an autobiographical piece of work called Burry My Heart at WHSmith and he did a limited edition that had some items slipped into the slip case, so I am really just following on from that.
“He put things like airline tickets and similar things that he had. So, I thought let’s continue that through, so I think he would be absolutely behind it 100 per cent.”
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To help fund the printing costs of the book she has set up a Kickstarter page where people can pledge money and in return receive a copy of the book.
Pledgers will receive a calendar of the collection or a limited-edition photo book which has already sold out.
The book has already reached its crowdfunding target, but Ms Aldiss is hoping even more people will show an interest. Ms Aldiss said she thinks it is going to be a ‘really super’ book and she is hoping to get it published for Christmas.
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