Display Explanation: For my installation, the viewer would walk into a big hexagon-shaped room with high ceilings that would be dimly lit. The original painting I was assigned, titled "Lamia," would be displayed on the wall in front of the viewer, slightly above eye level. In my mind, it would make sense to put the Lamia painting on the middle wall of the room because it is where her story begins. In other words, she is the subject or main character of the story, so all the focus should be cast on her. Thus, putting the "Lamia" painting on the middle wall because our eyes tend to deviate to things that are front and center; I would also have spotlights with some neutral lighting suspended above the painting to cast light upon it, in addition to installing a curtain which will always be pulled back. Regarding the placement of the other two images, I was playing with the idea of both paintings contrasting each other. In a sense, I wanted to use the idea of the angel (on the right shoulder) and the devil (on the left shoulder) concept. I would display the next painting, "The Soul of the Rose" by John William Waterhouse, to the viewer's left side. The image would be covered with another long curtain, but this time the curtain is covering the painting. In this case, the viewer must hold a button down on the side of the wall next to the painting to reveal it. In the sense, I want the viewer to feel like they are uncovering the parts of Lamia's story. Once again, the painting will be placed on the wall's left side and in the middle. Around the painting, I was thinking of covering that whole wall section with vines and roses. In a sense, this would describe how intertwined, complicated, and passionate Lamia and Zeus' love was for each other. I would also incorporate sound effects such as bird sounds and warm lighting shining on the painting, to further evoke a heartfelt feeling from the viewer.
Additionally, I was thinking of casting this image on a projector on the opposite wall the painting is being showcased on because of how small it is compared to the picture that is placed in the middle. However, the projector will only cast the image on the opposite wall when the viewer pulls back the curtain on that image. Lastly, I would display the final image titled "The Siren" by John William Waterhouse on the wall on the viewer's right side, and with this image, I hope to arouse feelings of chaos and destruction within the viewer. At this point in the story of Lamia, she turns into a monster hunting down children for revenge after Hera finds out about the affair she was having with Zeus. To reflect this chaotic nature of the painting, the section of wall surrounding the painting will be covered with a dark blue, black, and gray color of background. I would also incorporate a 3d aspect and sound effects when the image is revealed through the curtains, similar to the other image. In particular, this painting will have octopus tentacles, barnacles, rocks, moss, etc. distended from the wall. In addition to some cooler-toned lighting, a projector casting the painting on the opposite wall, and some waves crashing sound effects. There will also be cue card signs along the walls to direct the viewer to which painting they should reveal next.
Installation Note:
As mentioned before, I decided to place the "Lamia V2" by John William Waterhouse in front of the viewer slightly higher than eye level because Lamia is the main subject, and the story is being retold through the other images. In a sense, she is front and center, and all focus is on her. This painting is based on the Greek Mythology story of Lamia, whom Zeus finds attractive, and he takes her as her lover. This image displays the moments before her introduction to Zeus. Simply put, Lamia exudes such purity and sensuality within the image because of how "caught in the moment" she is; she isn't posing for the picture. She is comfortable in herself and her surroundings. I also noticed that she unintentionally revealed parts of herself as she was caught looking into the water. This is what initially drew Zeus to make her his lover. He was attracted to her physical beauty, specifically her body. The following image, "Soul of the Rose" by John William Waterhouse, allows us to delve further into the story of Lamia by exploring the idea of the pleasantries that consist of a relationship. At this point, Zeus has brought Lamia to the Upper world to begin indulging in their life together. However, Lamia was ignorant to the fact that Zeus had a wife and still continued to pursue their relationship, this is what made their relationship so complicated.The painting could represent the passion and freedom that Lamia experienced with Zeus, which can be seen in how blissful she looks while interacting with the pleasant environment. It signifies how free and tranquil love can be. It is also no coincidence that the image also uses roses which is the flower that signifies love.
The last painting, "The Siren" by John William Waterhouse, explores how one's sexuality can be used as a weapon to lure victims into a trap. Relating to the story of Lamia, Hera (Zeus's wife) becomes aware of Zeus and Lamia's relationship in which she kidnaps their children. As a result, it drives Lamia mad, turning her into a monster who eats children. In the case of this painting, the siren seduces its victims in an attempt to capture and kill them. In the story of Lamia, it is unclear how she undergoes the selection of her victims. However, she is a prime example of how sexual purity can be transformed into sexual rage. Collectively, all these paintings examine specific aspects of sexuality from both sides of the spectrum, purity, and revenge.
In the image titled "The Soul of the Rose", the artist conveys this sense of sexual purity by having the woman in the painting interact with nature by smelling the roses. As well as, having Lamia in the first painting shows some skin and it not being perceived in an intentional sexual way. In both images, you can see how graceful and peaceful both women are within their pictures, again playing with the idea of how she is caught in the moment of the photo. In contrast, the artist showcases that the same sense of sexual purity can be used to women's advantage and used as a way to get revenge on their enemies. In a way, I feel the artist wants to portray that a woman's ability to seduce other men can be used as a power, not just for a man's pleasure. This allows women to control their environment and surroundings, not having to fall submissive to please a man. In the case of the story of Lamia, the underlying cause for this shift is due to her pain that Hera has caused her and in turn it has allowed her to release her true power through anger. Certain perceptions of sexuality can be seen through Lamia's story, whether it be through sexual purity or sexual rage. However, her story is living proof of how sexual purity can become quickly distorted to sexual rage. In addition, how that sexual rage can be an advantage to women allowing them to regain their power.
Waterhouse, John William. Lamia (version 2). 1909. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_William_Waterhouse#/media/File:Lamia… 29 Jan. 2022.
Waterhouse, John William.The Soul of the Rose. 1908. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_William_Waterhouse_-_The_Soul_of_the_Rose,_1903.jpg. Accessed 16 Feb 2023.
Waterhouse, John William. The Siren. 1900. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_William_Waterhouse#/media/File:John_…;The_Siren-1900.jpg. Accessed 16 Feb 2023.