Zahir: Eclipse and Desire, ed. Christian Pattrachini, Zeno Press (UK), 2020

Zahir - Desire and Eclipse is a new collection of writings including essays, poems, experimental texts and short stories, this issue will be out in November 2020 and will feature works by both established and emerging artists and writers. The starting point for this new anthology is the short story by Jorge Luis Borges ‘The Zahir’ is an Arabic word that indicates a concept or object that obsesses man, to the point of making him lose touch with reality. The Zahir at first may appear insignificant, it insinuates itself into the mind and invades it occupying every corner. It becomes an obsession that can only be freed by going to meet it, looking for it and making it one’s own forever. Within the realms of poetry, essays and short stories, this anthology explores how the Zahir - something both very serious and vaguely absurd - sticks on our minds and refuses to be shaken. The aim is to consider how its cultural meanings are produced and how it shapes and resonates in our imagination, as well as causing consequences in various aspect of life. Each work investigates how the Zahir allows itself to be a screen onto which we project our anxieties and desires and function as a mirror in which we see ourselves reflected. Featuring works by: Andrew Dyer, Andrew Gallix, Annie Q. Syed, Anthony Etherin, C.C. O’Hanlon, David Roden, Emma Bolland, Flowerville, Genese Grill, Geoff Saunders, Iris Colomb, Julia Rose Lewis, Kate Wakeling, Octavia Bright and Rushda Rafeek. Edited by Christian Patracchini