Parastou Forouhar

The title Tausendundein Tag (A Thousand and One Days) sets the scene in the orient. A Thousand and One Nights immediately spring to mind. But here, they are dragged into the harsh light off day. Just as torture claims to bring the truth „to light“.. The fairytale itself has a violent undercurrent. The king, deceived by his wife, has his consorts put to death after one night in bed together to ensure that they are faithful to him. Only Sheherazade is sharp-witted enough to escape such a fate: night after night, she captivates the king with an exciting story which she breaks off as day begins to dawn, leaving the king longing to hear the end. In Forouhar’s work, the beautiful night-time dream that lasts until morning is transformed into a very rude awakening indeed. Media images of public executions cast a dark shadow on the realm of fairytales. 

Alexandra Karentzos