Ruhee Maknojia (b. 1993, Houston) is drawn to fables and mythologies, especially their ability to unfold the past and connect to the present. For this iteration of the Moody Project Wall, she has created a painted composition that revisits the iconic tale of One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of folk tales from Central and South Asia and the Middle East. The mural prominently features the story’s main character Scheherazade. Married to a king who, wary of women, executes each new spouse after their wedding night, Scheherazade begins to tell a story that she leaves unfinished every evening, thus saving her life. 

In Maknojia’s reinterpretation of the well-known narrative, the protagonist’s story is set in a contemporary context, with television screens inspiring Scheherazade’s new ideas for her continuous narration. Figures from the historic tale climb the wall, appearing behind openings, and the windows and doors become part of the artwork, transforming into TVs. Maknojia draws upon her background in Middle Eastern studies to conceive rich, decorative patterns that speak to the cultural and historic meanings of fabrics and how they connect societies. Driven by the intricate storyline that weaves together oral histories from various places and times, the work explores social structures and our relationship with new media that disseminates information. It also highlights the power of imagination as an essential source for community-building and increasing empathy toward others. Interactive light panels react to the sound of people walking by, making viewers part of Scheherazade’s story. 

Rice student and Moody Intern Tessa Domsky ‘25 coordinated the student engagement and workshops, and the following Rice students participated and contributed to the Moody Project Wall: Katherine Arquitt ’26, Nhu Chu ‘28, Norah Cichowksi ’27, saba Feleke ‘25, Sophia Findley ’28, Valentina Hoover ’28, Hongtao Hu ’27, Chloé Khuri ’26, Will Kinnebrew ’26, Millie Peacock ’26, Rhea Ray ‘27, Lajward Zahra ’27, and Ashley Zhang ’27. Their collaborative work was celebrated with a public reception on October 3, 2024, from 6- 8 pm. 

Launched in 2021 with the goal of fostering cross-campus and community engagement with the arts, the Moody Project Wall is a collaborative effort between a Houston-based artist and Rice University students. The Moody Project Wall series is made possible by the Moody Center for the Arts Founders Circle.