A Sea of Stories, 2024 © Lisl Ponger. Courtesy the artist.
The Making of … A Sea of Stories
Behind the scenes of Lisl Ponger’s @lislponger latest work that was inspired by Scheherazade, the narrator and main character in One Thousand and One Nights.
Lisl Ponger was commissioned to create a work to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Baron Joseph von Hammer-Purgstall (1774-1856), orientalist*, polyglot and diplomat. In her inimitable way, Lisl has made Scheherazade the heroine of the piece. The connection? Hammer-Purgstall translated 1001 Nights into French, a version that was later translated into German. The famous translation in the English language was by Richard Burton (1885), now known as Tales of the Arabian Nights – hence his inclusion in Lisl’s image.
*Although today the term orientalism is often considered as a contributing factor to colonialism, Batuhan Takis reminds us that this was not always the case: “At such an alarming time, when “the other” becomes even more “the other,” remembering Joseph von Hammer, who proved it is not impossible to explore the other or even embrace it, is really worth doing”.
Scheherazade: Symbol of Female Empowerment
Scheherazade, a name synonymous with storytelling, is the captivating heroine at the heart of the legendary One Thousand and One Nights. This ancient collection of Middle Eastern tales has enchanted readers and listeners for centuries, and Scheherazade is the brilliant mind behind the narrative framework that holds these stories together.
A Tale of Survival and Wit
Born into a world where the Sultan, consumed by grief and mistrust, marries a new bride each night only to execute her the following morning, Scheherazade’s life hangs in the balance. A woman of extraordinary intelligence and courage, she devises a daring plan. On her wedding night, she begins to tell the Sultan a mesmerizing tale, but before reaching its conclusion, dawn breaks. Intrigued and captivated, the Sultan spares her life to hear the end of the story. Night after night, Scheherazade continues this pattern, weaving a tapestry of enchanting tales, each more captivating than the last one. With every story, she not only saves her own life but also gradually transforms the Sultan’s heart, thawing his icy exterior and restoring his faith in humanity.
Beyond the Storyteller
Scheherazade is more than just a clever survivor. She is a symbol of female empowerment and intelligence. In a world dominated by men, she uses her wit and storytelling abilities to challenge the status quo and ultimately to find love and acceptance. Her character has inspired countless works of art, literature, and music, and she remains a powerful and enduring figure in the world of storytelling.
A Sea of Stories
was financed by the Federal Ministry Republic of Austria European and International Affairs
