Listening to the Shades

Listening to the Shades is an artist’s book by Nalini Malani and Robert Storr, inspired by the writing of Christa Wolf on the ancient Greek myth of Cassandra. The forty-two facsimile printed reverse paintings, tells the story of the Greek prophetess Cassandra’s insights being ignored and considered heretical. In the contemporary context, she symbolizes the unfinished business of the women’s revolution - a woman’s thoughts and premonitions are not understood and recognized. Malani's breathtaking rendering of this classic narrative has deep resonance with the many challenges that women still face in every culture. Nalini Malani exhibited a copy of the 42 facsimile prints, Listening to the Shades, which she subsequently donated to the Museum in February 2014.