Ruebush Hall, Room 128
3:15PM & 5:15PM
My project, when complete, will be a musical retelling of the classic myth of Medusa. However, instead of the monster we’ve become accustomed to, we see her a person, and we reevaluate what we define as a villain in our history. There are many versions of this myth that exist, but the most famous is the patriarchal version where Medusa slept with Poseidon in the temple of Athena and was cursed with a head of snakes and eyes that kill any man she sees. However, the version I’m choosing to follow takes a different narrative. Medusa is raped by Poseidon and Athena provides her with the ability to protect herself from the men that intend to hurt her. For centuries the symbol of Medusa was used to represent protection, the image of her was believed to ward off threats- particularly threats to women. My goal is to open people’s eyes to just how much the patriarchy has influenced our history, our storybooks, our movies and our lives. I want to show that women are not the villains in our history.
This project discusses victim blaming, sexual assault, rape and murder.
Pre-recorded video
15 minutes
Aislinn Coghlan, co-writer, vocalist
Shannon Fowler, vocalist
Jake Tuttle, cello
Blake Barnickel, vocalist
Avriella Babasa, writer