Updated October 12th, 2020 at 21:03 IST
'Medusa statue with the head of Perseus' evokes mixed reactions from netizens
Netizens took to social media react to the installation of 'Medusa statue with the head of Perseus'. Read on to know how the netizens have reacted.
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The MeToo movement was a historic movement where numerous women had come forward and had raised their voices against sexual harassment committed by powerful or prominent men in the world. This movement was followed by a judgement where American film producer Harvey Weinstein was charged with sexual offences against several women throughout his career. To commemorate this decision and the movement as a whole, a statue of “Medusa with the head of Perseus” will be unveiled in front of the County Criminal Courthouse in Collect Pond Park tomorrow. Netizens have flooded the social media with their reactions and thoughts on the same.
"Medusa with the head of Perseus" symbolism
According to Greek mythology, Medusa was raped by Poseidon, who was one of the most powerful Gods in Greek mythology. However, instead of punishing Poseidon, Medusa was blamed for the crime and was cursed into becoming a monster who had snakes for hair and her gaze could turn any man into stone. She was exiled and later Perseus was sent to hunt her down.
Perseus had beheaded her and had held her head in his one hand as though it was some sort of a trophy. However, this statue, designed by sculptor Luciano Garbati changes the narrative of the age-old mythological characters and aims to stop the way victims in sexual crimes are viewed. It shows Medusa holding the head of Perseus in one hand and a sword in the other to symbolise that she is empowered.
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The statue aims to shame men who are sexual offenders. It sends a message to stop victim-blaming and to stop viewing women as a potential cause for the sexual offences that took place against them. Take a look at the statue below.
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Netizens praise the statue
Social media has been flooded with reactions from netizens as the date to unveil the statue comes closer. A number of netizens praised how beautiful the statue is and the meaning behind the statue. A number of netizens appreciated the sculptor for his thought behind the statue and how well he has carved it. Check out the comments below.
Medusa was stalked & raped by Poseidon and then blamed for it, and cursed by Athena with the snake hair & turning people to stone thing. She was banished and then Perseus killed & beheaded her. This statue “inverts the narrative” as a commentary on the Me Too movement.
— Lola (@Just_Mandy1)
The actual intention of the statue, in the artist's own words, is in fact to show what medusa's victory would look like instead of perseus's. This wasn't made FOR metoo, this sculpture is a decade old. The installation is the statement for the movement.
— The Bustling Hussy (@bustlinghussy)
Even though there were numerous positive comments, there were several netizens who thought that the statue would confuse people. Several netizens wrote on social media that Medusa should be holding Poseidon (the rapist) or Athena (who cursed Medusa) and not Perseus. Check out some of the tweets below.
The myth of Medusa was that she was raped by Poseidon, and Athena turned her into a monster for being raped in her temple.
— DaddyShags (@DaddyShags)
Now, if the statue was Medusa as a person holding the severed head of Poseidon, or Athena, it would make sense.
it's also a disturbing parody of itself. a statue of a medusa dragging an innocent man's disemboweled head, with a knife in its other hand? how much more on the nose can it get
— sin of sloth (@TheHugsloth)
Why would Medusa ever cut off his head? There were plenty of other men who came were turned to stone, and Perseus was no different aside of the fact that he was invisible with the hat of Hades... this statue is so poorly thought out in both message & execution.. so go figure
— The Whole Chicken (@thehdpickles)
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Image credits: Luciano Garbati Instagram
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Published October 12th, 2020 at 21:03 IST