Listening to the Shades
Nalini Malani 
2014
Facsimile printed reverse paintings

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 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. Artist Nalini Malani donated a copy of the 42 facsimile prints, Listening to the Shades, to the Museum in February 2014.