"Cruel folk you are, unmatched for jealousy, you gods who cannot bear to let a goddess sleep with a man." (Calypso to Hermes, who has just ordered her to release Odysseus. Homer, Odyssey 5.120)


Calypso’s Dream is a soundscape collection sculpted from the subtle sonic morphologies of the micro-environments on the island of Mljet in the South Adriatic. The collection serves as a conceptual counterpoint to Homer’s Odyssey and a critical reflection on commercial island attractions such as Odysseus’s Cave, where he was supposedly held captive for seven long years by the nymph Calypso.

In search of a different gender approach to the ancient Greek myth and its contemporary commercial appropriation, we created a simple narrative from Calypso’s perspective, inspired by the work of the renowned writer Margaret Atwood, who wrote The Penelopiad, and tried to unravel the archetypal mystery by narrating the Odyssey from the perspective of his wife Penelope, who was left for 20 years to defend the kingdom and raise their children.

Calypso’s Dream is an attempt to create a symbolic micro-episode of The Penelopiad within the medium of sound art, woven from the dense spectrum of the island’s biophony, instrumental and improvised narratives, critically reflecting on the commercial appropriation of culture, advocating for the importance of a listening culture, and emphasizing the urgency of raising ecological awareness.

The island of Mljet is one of the oldest European protected natural zones, still, there is so much more that can be done to keep this Adriatic marvel away from harsh trends of mass tourism.

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The release includes a PDF booklet containing curatorial text and images of Mljet's many aquatic micro-environments, flora, and fauna.

The project is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, and the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Department for Education and Culture. 

All sounds recorded and edited by Manja Ristić & Mark Vernon
Hydrophones used for underwater recording — JrF & Aquarian
Mastering by Goran Simonoski / La Plant Studio
Cover art, images, text by Manja Ristić

The Deadly Grief Of Calypso

And go past the forest 
where you can slowly wake up
or you can take your time 
and let the seasons catch up
slip off your shoes 
and feel the earth 
your ears will start to ring
and life will sing.

You've just got to swing past the 
forest 
where colours can blind you 
and everything finds you 
it can drive you insane 

You've got to slow down now
or you'll grow cold.
Leap past the flowers that sleep,
The hours that spring those old 
Shadows confuse you 
and the silence is loud 
your're reaching for the light
your're losing sight 

You've just got to swing past the
forest
where colours can blind you 
and everything finds you 
it can drive you insane

and go past the forest 
where you can slowly wake up

The Factory "Path Through the Forest" 1968

respect the spirit & follow the white dog
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The Deadly Grief Of Calypso

Manja Ristic