The Mask of Aphrodite—if nothing else—is a grand experiment.
The collection brings together fiction, poetry, and translations from Spanish and Attic Greek. In addition to the written word, The Mask of Aphrodite is accompanied by a full-length studio album. Tying these mixed media together are the common themes of love and heartbreak.
Through the many voices of this artwork, the myths and fantasies that shape our society’s understanding of amorous desire are examined. As the work progresses, the mask of love is slowly pulled back to reveal the face beneath. Of equal importance, projections are made about the future of love: How do social media, modern technology, and artificial intelligence affect infatuation and grieving?
The collection seeks to harmonize opposites. It combines classical style with contemporary inquiry, oscillating between deeply psychological narratives and passionate, image-rich music. In the end, The Mask of Aphrodite asks as many questions as it answers — and promises to leave the reader with a series of powerful emotions.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Dylan Connell writes fast-paced, philosophical fiction. His work explores the human mind in relation to the troubled spiritual times of the twenty-first century. Dylan’s writings have appeared in Lucky Jefferson, Defunkt, ¡Pa’lante!, and other publications. His story “The Cult of Venus” was featured by Brain Mill Press in their Best of 2021 Science Fiction anthology. Dylan’s story “Lotus Drinkers,” submitted by Logic 86, was a finalist for the Pushcart Prize. He has been creating and performing his music for over a decade. Dylan organizes hip-hop events across the Bay Area and often takes the stage himself — most notably, every First Friday at the Alan Blueford Center for Justice in Oakland. When he’s not writing, rapping, or engaged in a game of chess, Dylan can be found on the hardtop basketball courts of Mission Dolores and the Panhandle — or engaged in a game of chess. He studied classics and anthropology in undergrad and holds an MFA from the University of San Francisco.