The power of the myth of Medusa centers on her mutilation. For thousands of years, ancient history has idealized Perseus: he beheaded the beautiful gorgon through cunning and deceit. Medusa’s head was placed by Athena on Perseus’s shield as a symbol of death and terror. Later, Pindar bestowed beauty upon her cheeks, and Ovid portrayed her as a maiden and priestess of Athena’s temple who was raped by Poseidon. Athena then punished her by transforming her hair into snakes. In this way, an archetype for the representation of women was defined: beauty-monstrosity / woman-death. Medusa was punished for her suffering, and her representation across the centuries reinforced ancestral fears of feminine power.
The power of the myth of Medusa centers on her mutilation. For thousands of years, ancient history has idealized Perseus: he beheaded the beautiful gorgon through cunning and deceit. Medusa’s head was placed by Athena on Perseus’s shield as a symbol of death and terror. Later, Pindar bestowed beauty upon her cheeks, and Ovid portrayed her as a maiden and priestess of Athena’s temple who was raped by Poseidon. Athena then punished her by transforming her hair into snakes. In this way, an archetype for the representation of women was defined: beauty-monstrosity / woman-death. Medusa was punished for her suffering, and her representation across the centuries reinforced ancestral fears of feminine power.
MEDUSAS is a reflection on the consequences of myths in the construction of femininities. Through a dialogue I establish with French philosopher Hélène Cixous in her book The Laugh of the Medusa, I propose three thematic axes through which to view the exhibition: The Dream, Between Medusa and the Abyss and The Dark Continent. This journey, guided by Cixous’s words, will help us understand how the gorgon does not really petrify anyone — it is the dominant force that petrifies and turns the Medusas into beings incapable of looking at their own reflection.
The show opens on August 4 at 5:00 pm and will be open until September 3.
Artists: Velma Babić, Tania Beltrán, Daniela Berrío Domínguez, Verónica Giraldo, Ana González, Adriana Marmorek, Margarita Mejía, Luiza Prado y Magklin Rip.
Luz Adriana Hoyos G.
Curator