Lysistrata - Wooden sculpture

This little wooden scupture is inspired by an ancient Greek comedy by Aristophanes, originally performed in classical Athens in 411 BCE, just two years after Athens' catastrophic defeat in the Sicilian Expedition.

This piece of wood was found near Syracuse and carved as Lysistrata," the army disbander".

 

Currently in Paxos at Paxox Biennale 2024.

 

What follows are AI generated texts revisiting the Plot just for fun.

**Prologue of "Lysistrata" in Paxos**
[Scene: A peaceful olive grove on the island of Paxos. Lysistrata, a charismatic and determined Athenian woman, stands amidst a gathering of women from various Greek city-states who have come together to discuss the ongoing war.]

**Lysistrata**: (addressing the women) Sisters of Greece, hear me now! For too long, our homes have been torn apart by the ravages of war. Athenians, Spartans, Corinthians, we stand here on Paxos, united by a common desire for peace.

**Myrrhine**: (a spirited Spartan woman) Lysistrata, can we truly bring an end to this madness? The men seem deaf to reason.

**Lysistrata**: My dear Myrrhine, they may be deaf to words, but they are not immune to our powers of persuasion. We women, whose voices are often silenced in matters of state, hold within us a strength that can move mountains.

**Calonice**: (a pragmatic Athenian woman) But how shall we convince them? We are but women, and they hold the power of armies and fleets.

**Lysistrata**: (smiling knowingly) Our power lies not in swords and shields, but in unity and resolve. Here on Paxos, under the olive branches that have witnessed countless generations, we shall devise a plan that will shake the foundations of their war-weary hearts.

[As the women gather closer, Lysistrata begins to outline her audacious scheme: to withhold sexual privileges from their husbands and lovers until they agree to end the war and swear an oath of peace.]

**Lysistrata**: Sisters, imagine if every night, when they return from the battlefield, they find no comfort in our arms. Imagine their frustration turning into desperation, their lust for war quenched by a longing for our embrace.

[The women nod in agreement, their determination mirrored in Lysistrata's unwavering gaze.]

**Lysistrata**: Paxos shall witness the birth of a new era. Let us show the world the power of women united in purpose. Together, we shall bring peace to our lands and restore harmony to our homes.

[The women raise their hands in solemn agreement, their voices echoing through the olive grove as they pledge to support Lysistrata's daring plan.]

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In this imagined prologue, Lysistrata sets the stage for her revolutionary idea of using feminine power to end the war, invoking the tranquil setting of Paxos as a backdrop for their bold endeavor.

 

 

 

**Sequel: Lysistrata and the Island Mix-Up**
[Scene: The tranquil shores of Paxos, where Lysistrata and the women eagerly await the arrival of their men after the successful end of the war.]

**Lysistrata**: (looking out to sea, with anticipation) Sisters, the peace we fought for is finally here. Let us welcome our men with open arms and joyful hearts.

**Myrrhine**: (scanning the horizon) Look, Lysistrata! Ships are approaching, but they seem to be heading towards Antipaxos!

**Calonice**: (laughing) Typical men, they can't even find the right island for a celebration!

[The women watch as the ships, laden with eager men, mistakenly land on Antipaxos, a nearby island known for its rugged cliffs and secluded beaches.]

**Lysistrata**: (smirking) Well, if they want to start the party early, who are we to deny them?

[The women decide to take matters into their own hands and sail over to Antipaxos to retrieve their wayward husbands and lovers. They arrive to find the men already setting up a makeshift camp, clearly eager to celebrate.]

**Athenian Man**: (grinning) Ladies, you've found us! Welcome to Antipaxos.

**Spartan Man**: (chuckling) We may have missed the mark, but we're ready to make up for lost time!

[The atmosphere quickly shifts from confusion to excitement as the women join their men on the beach. Music plays, wine flows freely, and laughter fills the air as old tensions are forgotten and replaced with a sense of camaraderie and celebration.]

**Myrrhine**: (playfully) Well, since we're all here together, why not continue our celebration in the most joyful way possible?

[With a mischievous glint in their eyes, the women and men begin to dance, drink, and ultimately, come together joyful and uninhibited under the starlit sky of Antipaxos.]

**Calonice**: (laughing amidst the revelry) This, my friends, is the truest celebration of peace and love!

**Lysistrata**: (raising her cup) To Paxos, to Antipaxos, and to the boundless pleasures of unity and understanding!

[The night continues with uninhibited revelry, the sound of laughter and love echoing across both islands as they celebrate their newfound peace in the most exuberant way possible.]

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In this imaginative sequel, the mix-up on Antipaxos leads to a spontaneous and joyous celebration where men and women come together in a spirited gathering, symbolizing not only the end of war but also the uninhibited joy of unity and shared humanity.

 

**Moral: The Power of Love and Unity**

"Lysistrata" teaches us that love, desire, and unity among individuals hold immense power to bring about change and resolve conflicts. By withholding intimacy, Lysistrata and the women of Greece demonstrate that the longing for connection and intimacy can move even the most entrenched leaders. Beyond physical strength or political maneuvering, it is the human desire for peace and love that can ultimately prevail over war and division. Therefore, the play's moral is that love, in all its forms—romantic, familial, and communal—should be cherished and harnessed to create a harmonious and peaceful society.