Debris Magazine
Issue 04: Illuminated Manuscript

Edited by Hasib Hourani and Adalya Nash Hussein

Contributors:
SJ Norman, Annie Zhang, Val Schlosberg, Toyah Webb, Aaron Billings, Lou Garcia-Dolnik, Wen-Juenn Lee, Autumn Royal, Anna Kate Blair Mohamed Chamas, Bella Li, Chaya Kasif, Omar Musa

Issue Theme: Illuminated Manuscript

There are seven known Black Hours—illuminated manuscripts used to pray the canonical hours. Their name derives from their striking black pages, gold and silver gothic text tightly confined by colourful ornamentation—initials, medallions, grotesques.

As text becomes increasingly digital, the physicality of the codex becomes apparent once more. We choose books by their cover, the quality of their paper, the way they sit on our bookshelf. We dog ear corners, read with a pencil in hand, pages now illuminated with exclamation marks—places to return to. Texts become objects become places. Each reader will find their own way through, break the spine into desired paths. You do this and the object is deemed a site of devotion.

The Quran must be treated with respect and care. You should wash before holding it, it is stored on the highest shelf. When its body has worn through use, it is placed in a deep hole, wrapped in cloth; or running water, tied to a stone. There are apps for reading the Quran—how does one respectfully delete them? Or dispose of a phone that has held one?

In this issue, Debris Magazine investigates the illuminated manuscript through theme and form. We are interested in work that speaks to spirituality; the history and future of the codex; artmaking, editing and translating as devotional practices. We seek to publish work that looks at spirituality as a lens for speculating our future, and considers how a relationship with the past can illuminate our paths ahead. We particularly encourage work that plays with the shape of the page it will be held on.

Debris Magazine is a bi-annual literary publication based between France and Australia, showcasing essays, poetry, interviews, photography, and artwork from Australian writers and artists. Each issue is curated by guest editors to highlight diverse and experimental voices. 

Publication Date: October 2024
Publisher: Debris Magazine
Printing: Graphius, Belgium
Page Number: 144 pages
Design: Malou Messien
Cover art: Mohammed Chamas
ISSN: 2653-0015