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A #Medusa resources thread!
These are some of the online resources I used in my Medusa lecture. The main idea was on reclamation vs exploitation of the myth.
I started with the Theogony and discussed Gorgons, M's location, and Perseus decapitating her.
These are some of the online resources I used in my Medusa lecture. The main idea was on reclamation vs exploitation of the myth.
I started with the Theogony and discussed Gorgons, M's location, and Perseus decapitating her.
Then we looked at Ovid's version from Met. 4. Change in location, role of Minerva, debate about whether Minerva transforms Medusa "for her own protection."
Then we looked at a whole range of visuals starting with this Medusa mosaic from Dion, Greece.
Useful website: Helen Miles has gathered a bunch of these, from which I took my example https://helenmilesmosaics.org/ancient-mosaics-general/mosaic-medusa-heads/
Useful website: Helen Miles has gathered a bunch of these, from which I took my example https://helenmilesmosaics.org/ancient-mosaics-general/mosaic-medusa-heads/
Then I showed this Perseus holding Medusa's head from Stabiae.
Students dunked on him for being short and jejune as well as noting the iconographic elements associated with the myth
Students dunked on him for being short and jejune as well as noting the iconographic elements associated with the myth
Caravaggio is next with the discussion of using his own head.
Follow this up with some classic Cellini and we are ready to transition to the 2020s.
Cardi B as Medusa for H-ween comes next.
We had a spectacular discussion about the gold decoration; her looking straight into the camera; the beauty and seduction; and the snake tail. ALSO, note how she is REFLECTED in the floor under her.
PS WAP: Wet ASP Python
We had a spectacular discussion about the gold decoration; her looking straight into the camera; the beauty and seduction; and the snake tail. ALSO, note how she is REFLECTED in the floor under her.
PS WAP: Wet ASP Python
Rihanna's 2013 cover of GQ was next. Students noted how the snakes look like a head wrap; how the articles around her are about men and she is in the middle; how her eyes have the snake slit.
Discussion of these 2 centered on black women creatives reclaiming the myth.
Discussion of these 2 centered on black women creatives reclaiming the myth.
Snickers' "Super Irritated" candy campaign was next (2015). (discussed by @CurtisDozier for @eidolon_journal here: https://eidolon.pub/medusa-on-the-beach-d3c6c70bb6b0)
Students pointed out the hangry stereotype; Davis' depilation, and the density of allusions.
Students pointed out the hangry stereotype; Davis' depilation, and the density of allusions.
We used this slide to transition to Garbatti's "Medusa with the head of Perseus" by thinking about the presentation of the body and eye contact.
I then presented the controversy around the Garbatti being set up as a monument to MeToo using the BitchMedia piece by @artcrimeprof and @Sonja_Drimmer https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/medusa-metoo-sculpture-art-history
After this we watched Mary Beard's short clip on Medusa through the ages. One thing she hits on is how Medusa is a common foil for misogynistic attacks on female politicians. https://aeon.co/videos/why-medusa-lives-on-mary-beard-on-the-persistent-legacy-of-ancient-greek-misogyny
And we transition to this image of the occupant of the white house as Perseus holding H. Clinton's head.
A fascinating discussion followed since the students had read about how Perseus killed Medusa in her sleep so they showed how the image is a self-own bc T hasn't won fairly.
A fascinating discussion followed since the students had read about how Perseus killed Medusa in her sleep so they showed how the image is a self-own bc T hasn't won fairly.
Some other resources:
@ChiaraSulprizio hosts an amazing video of Medusa as a single dating mother to a Minotaur
From Fantoche: “Life is not simple for the small Minotaur with Medusa for a mother." https://animatedantiquity.com/2018/11/16/mythopolis-2013/
@ChiaraSulprizio hosts an amazing video of Medusa as a single dating mother to a Minotaur
From Fantoche: “Life is not simple for the small Minotaur with Medusa for a mother." https://animatedantiquity.com/2018/11/16/mythopolis-2013/
And then three Medusa's in movies.
Clash (1981):
Clash (2010):
Percy Jackson (2010)
Clash (1981):
Clash (2010):
Percy Jackson (2010)
Some questions I got that I didn't know the answers to re Medusa:
To what extent are the snakes responsible for the stone transformation? Are there snake and stone connections elsewhere?
What are the sources for Medusa's "curse" being Athena trying to "protect" her?
To what extent are the snakes responsible for the stone transformation? Are there snake and stone connections elsewhere?
What are the sources for Medusa's "curse" being Athena trying to "protect" her?
Have other Medusa materials you like? Drop them in the replies!
