The Odyssey: A Retelling, by Lisa Bachman Jones

Thursday, June 23, 2022 9:00 AM
Sunday, January 8, 2023 4:30 PM

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The Parthenon and Centennial Park Conservancy are proud to present The Odyssey: A Retelling, by Lisa Bachman Jones in the East Gallery of the Parthenon from June 23 through January 8.

Jones is a Nashville-based artist interested in entropy and interconnectivity. Working across disciplines, she investigates the everyday through a lens of care.

In preparation for A Retelling Jones read Emily Wilson’s 2017 translation of Homer's epic poem The Odyssey. The exhibition highlights the hospitality of the overlooked identities that made Odysseus’ long journey home possible. The body of work incorporates a wide range of media and techniques, which echoes the number of communities, locations, actions and objects that paved the way for the classic homecoming.

Reflecting on the exhibit Jones notes the significance of the gallery’s location within the Parthenon, which prompted the concept for A Retelling. The Parthenon in Athens, Greece was a place for offering thanks to and soliciting help from Athena. The goddess is a constant in the poem; orchestrating events and guiding encounters. This body of work presents an opportunity to reflect upon those who we receive support from and those to whom we extend our support.

In honor of this exhibition, a virtual Symposium connected to the Odyssey took place on July 26, 2022. The recording is also available on YouTube:

Thank you to the Sandra Schatten Foundation, Tennessee Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Humanities, Memorial Foundation, Jackson, Humanities Tennessee, Metro Parks, and Centennial Park Conservancy for underwriting the Parthenon's exhibition and educational programming. The content of Parthenon exhibitions do not necessarily represent the views of our partners and underwriters.