Medusa: Money Over Meaning in Commercialism introduces the duality of Medusa’s image and meaning through her evolution, and how her image is used for commercial use. Medusa is a being who is well recognized in the western world. She is famous for her fanged lips, snake hair, and turning people into stone with only her looks. This exhibition investigates her history of being the monstrous. She had the duality of being both a goddess figure and creature of the underworld, life, and death. Medusa was used as an agent of protection on warrior’s shields and a vestige on top of temples.[1] In today’s world she is seen as a symbol of feminism and strength. Her image is seen with businesses such as Versace, used in art, and in advertisements. She has become an emblem for positive, rather than her earlier meaning of an evil warding off evil. 

Medusa’s image had been used with feminism, rape victims, abuse, etc. and has been exposed to wide social, cultural, ideological considerations[2]. Over time, her image evolved, and her meaning has changed. The use of commercialism through advertising and product placement to appropriate figures like Medusa should have their original intent in mind, without skewing their meaning, historical or mythological value. 

Through this exhibition I intend to showcase the duality of old Medusa to contemporary times. The cutouts on each side cast their shadows to show the immediate imagery of who she once was to what she had become. I intend to showcase the meanings tied to those images among those projected in between on the wall. The slides will show her linear representation through art and commercial uses today and instill the new connotations she had obtained in today’s world. 

Why is it important?  I hope to instill a visual connection and recognition from the past to present in terms of meaning and identity. Viewers need to understand why specific figures are chosen to be represented, and if they are being so in a correct manner without having their meaning skewed. 

[1] Dexter, Miriam Robbins. “The Ferocious and the Erotic: ‘Beautiful’ Medusa and the Neolithic Bird and Snake.” Essay. In Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion 26, 1st ed., 26:25–41. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2010.
[2] Lazarou, Anna, and Ioannis Lirtzis. “Gorgoneion and Gorgon-Medusa: A Critical Research Review.” Journal Of Ancient History And Archeology Y 9, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.14795/j.v9i1.741.