Join us for a post-show discussion with Kari Halker-Saathoff on Sunday, August 4 at the Guild Theater.
Special exhibition at the Guild Theater
Odysseus and Penelope: The Long Journey showcases the work of Kari Halker-Saathoff, who has always been fascinated with stories of adventure. In creating her interpretation, Kari fashioned images on ceramic vessels that represent Penelope’s remarkable story, while her illustrations tell the story of Odysseus. For many, even those who have not read Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus’ adventures are part of our cultural knowledge. Given this familiarity, Halker-Saathoff depicts his journey within the mythological time period while reimagining the timeless and transcendent story – a story that has stayed with her throughout the years.
While many of the illustration titles are inspired by the text of The Odyssey, in contrast, the titles accompanying each of Penelope’s vessels are inspired by the Women’s March of 2017, as well as current news stories. Halker-Saathoff has purposely chosen to align Penelope’s heroic journey within the present context of female struggle and empowerment. Her ambition for this show is to illuminate the many parallels between the present and 650 B.C.E.
