Charon, 2021

145 x 145cm, Artificial Intelligence

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Charon delivers the newly deceased soul from the world of the living to the world of the dead via the river Styx. In ancient tradition, a coin would be placed in the mouth of the recently deceased as a forward payment to Charon for his service. Else, it was believed that they would wander the bank of the river for centuries.

As a typical aspect of the katabasis mytheme, many Ancient Greek heroes journey to Hades via the boat of Charon.

Charon: Hurry, hurry, hurry! Who’s for the “Coast of No Cares and Concerns?” “The Plain of Eternal Sleep?” The “Ropes of Ocnos,” anyone? “Cerberos’ Palace?” “The Crows of Taenaron?”

Dionysus: Me! Me! Me!

Charon: Come on, then! Hurry aboard! Come on!

- Frogs, Aristophanes.