Xerazade, a Coleção Interminável do CAM

CAM — Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian, Lisboa, 2026. Curated by Leonor Nazaré

Motivated and guided by Scheherazade, the protagonist of the tales of ‘One Thousand and One Nights’, CAM proposes an exhibition of its Collection that draws inspiration from the fictional device of that ancient anthology.

By evoking some significant facets that shape those stories, and organising the exhibition route into fourteen sections, this naturally subjective gaze also seeks to bring the legendary protagonist, Scheherazade, to the present day, removing her from her specific cultural context.

Scheherazade, whose prodigious memory was praised by King Shahryar, became synonymous with infinite narrative and seduction by words. But in this exhibition, her symbolic rebellion is taken beyond that capacity for enchantment. The strong call of magic and verbal language, foundational in human nature and in the realm of individual identity, permeates stories, books and artworks.

Brincar com canoas ou afogar Cães II, 2023. 400 × 600 cm