The Nereids

In The Nereids, Isabella Fürnkäs reimagines the image of the water nymph at the fountain, drawing inspiration from Monteverdi's Lamento della ninfa. This performance delves into the themes of exploitation and the enduring portrayal of the nymph as a perpetual symbol of fertility. Set within the castle park, the event takes place in an octagonal pool filled with water tinged a deep, evocative red, reminiscent of a traditional fountain. The atmosphere is enriched by a performer playing a delicate glass flute, who, in a dynamic interaction with the artist, presents a poetic text penned by Fürnkäs herself.

The visual elements of the performance are thoughtfully curated. The costumes, designed by Minji Park, alongside the pool’s facade, are adorned with intricate depictions of nymphs and satyrs, evoking a sense of mythological reverence. These images not only embellish the setting but also underscore the thematic exploration of the nymph’s mythological and cultural significance.

As the performance begins, audience members are given coins, symbolizing a ritualistic offering. At the conclusion of the event, they are invited to cast these coins into the pool, each making a personal wish—a gesture that merges the realms of mythology, art, and participation. This act of wishing becomes a poignant moment of reflection, connecting the audience to the narrative of the nymph and her story.

- Text by Paula Thiel

Excerpt from the performative installation:

[Narrator]

The sea nymphs symbolize everything that is beautiful and kind about the sea. The Nereids are sea nymphs that are female spirits of sea waters. Nereus literally means ‘notmistaking‘, ‘clear’, or ‘true’. Their melodious voices sing as they dance around their territories. They are represented as beautiful young creatures, that are close to natural spirits.

—

[Performer]

Fill me up
Like a cup
I’m your mistress You’re my food
I’m your guide
To the darkness Into the light
My sacred pool Drowning my essence Make me a fool Ripples of ruin Echo in my soul
As innocence
And purity they stole
I wore
The cloak
Of their fantasies Stripped
Of my spirit Brought to my knees Once revered, Now consumed by their greed,
Fruitful essence Tainted by their need. Fill me up
I’m like a cup
Fill me up
Fill me up

—

[Narrator]

The Nereid often accompanies Poseidon, the god of the sea. They are labeled as the 50 daughters of the Old Man of the Sea, Nereus, where they dance around their father.

[Performer]

I shimmer with grace Nature’s embrace A mirror
For everyone Who dares
To look
My innocence Eaten by
Their twisted games Desiring eyes Like haunting flames

—

[Narrator]

The Nereids represent desire, longing, yearning, wishfulness, aspiration, fertility, freshness, fruitfulness, richness, temptation, excitement, seduction, sensibility, sensuality, animalism, innocence, virginity, naïveté, greenness, purity, spirituality, wetness.

—

[Performer]

Drowning
In their desires unchained My essence scarred My spirit painted Bloodred.
The storms of lust Burning
From innocence
To guilt
I was led astray,
My essence tarnished
a price
I’d pay.

—

[Narrator]

But what is the issue? What could go wrong? We delve into the depths of a water nymph’s heart. A mythical being entwined with the tranquil embrace of water, who shares her heart-wrenching tale of enduring the weight of male desires turned destructive. What is the result? Enchantment and Betrayal