SIREN (series)

The Genesis of a Modern Myth: Subverting the Nautical Legend

The conceptual foundation of the SIREN series emerged from a profound questioning of historical narratives and the heteronormative lens of maritime folklore. Arjan Spannenburg, deeply familiar with the classical tales of Sirens, recognised that the traditional depiction of these enchanting female creatures did not resonate with his own perspective. He began to speculate on the lived realities of sailors from centuries past: men who spent months or years confined to ships, isolated from the world within an exclusively male environment. This sparked a pivotal inquiry into the nature of desire and the diversity of the human experience on the high seas.

Reimagining the Siren through the Male Gaze

Spannenburg questioned the historical assumption that every man aboard those vessels was exclusively attracted to the sirens of myth. He envisioned the possibility of men for whom the traditional allure held no power, and instead, he wondered what form those sirens would take if they reflected a different preference. This intellectual curiosity led to a bold recontextualisation of the myth, adapting the siren figure to align with his own aesthetic and emotional truth. By transforming these legendary figures into young men, Spannenburg creates a bridge between the historical maritime past and a contemporary queer identity, offering a sophisticated exploration of attraction that challenges established artistic tropes.