The Storyteller Series
About the Storytellers
The Storytellers are 6 Bas-Relief panels that depict mythological and folk characters that are patrons and muses of creative storytelling. Created in collaboration with Le Chat Noir, the original 6 panels adorn an archway leading into the theater space. Read below to learn about each of these storytellers throughout time.
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Bacchus
Bacchus was the Roman deity of Theater. He also oversaw winemaking, festivity, and the harvest, as well. He will be included in the arch to pay homage to the creative arts shared through all cultures and history, and make a nod to the continued work of creative storytelling done by those at Le Chat Noir.
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Bastet
Bastet was the fierce warrior goddess of Ancient Egypt that was represented in form of a lioness or cat-headed woman. This series represents deities and folklore characters who inspired the telling of stories; in the case of Bastet, her stories were told in song. On the day of feasting in her honor, women would dance, play music, and sing on their way to the palace, where a day of sacrifices and festivities would unfold, accompanied by the drinking of prodigious amounts of wine.
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Bragi
Bragi hails from Norse Mythology, and was the god of music for the Vikings, as well as poetry. He was seen as particularly creative with words, whether they were sung, or recited. Fitting that tonight at Le Chat Noir, there will even be a spoken word artist on stage for an event! Bragi’s patronage of poets and wordplay is why I’ve included him in my Storytellers series. These 6 plaques will be displayed on an arch designed in collaboration with the team at Le Chat, to welcome patrons to the the theater space where new stories continue to be told.
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Cao Guojiu
One of the Eight Immortals in the Taoist pantheon, Cao Guojiu translates to “Imperial Brother-in-law Cao.” This figure of Chinese mythology is often depicted dressed in official robes and holding a paiban and jade tablet. As the Sculpture Arch will be installed in Le Chat, Augusta's black box theater, I thought it only fitting to include Cao Guojiu as he is regarded as the patron deity of acting and the art of theater.
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Jelimuso
Jelimuso (or Jalimuso) is a female griot of West Africa, a class of poets and musicians tasked with passing on oral traditions and stories. A griot’s role has traditionally been to preserve the genealogies, historical narratives, and oral traditions of their people. They also sing praise songs and will act as advisers and diplomats when needed. Many griots play the kora, a long-necked harp lute with 21 strings.
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Saint Genesius
Saint Genesius of Rome is considered the patron saint of actors, lawyers, barristers, clowns, comedians, converts, dancers, people with epilepsy, musicians, printers, stenographers, and victims of torture. Quite the crowd! It seems like St. Genesius would fit in well at Le Chat Noir, as he was a comedian and actor. However, his acts mocking Christianity didn’t make its followers too happy, until he had an experience on stage that converted him. He proclaimed his newfound belief, and stayed faithful to his new religion even when the emperor Diocletian ordered he renounce it. For this defiance he was beheaded in 303 BC.
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