#360myth

Andrea Roca, 3rd year Illustration major, decided to create an update on the myth of Cupid and Psyche for Classical Mythology in Literature, Art and Music. For her character designs, she stated that she tried to play off of Cupid's pride and Psyche's shyness. The final illustration zeroes in on the blindfolded moments of tenderness between the two lovers. 

Here's a little help with the next two weeks in Classical Mythology in the Arts.

Tomorrow, I get to teach about the erotics of the castrato's voice in Cavalli's Giasone. The story of Jason and Medea is always so captivating even if the students get very uncomfortable with talk of the musical legacy of castration. Oh music history...

I had to delete the two pan-pipes examples that were more risqué from this teaching tumblr. They were attracting some sketchy followers and notes. Thus, if you would like to see the amazing Syrinx example that caused all of the blushing, send me a note.

Since we're doing Orpheus this week in Classical Mythology in the Arts, I'm revisiting Arcade Fire's "Afterlife" (2013). The video is made up of footage from Camus' Orfeu Negro [Black Orpheus] (1959) which neatly matches the use of Rodin's sculpture Orfée et Eurydice as cover art for the album Reflektor. In Black Orpheus, the filmmakers decided to show Orpheus's journey to Hades by having him attend an Umbanda ritual – a decision that resulted in considerable controversy. [The filmmakers simply called it a "Macumba" scene - a derisive term that has as many negative connotations as "Voodoo" or "Pagan."] It's really too bad that this is the part of the film that the band chose to emphasize. Had they used something else, I probably would have loved the gesture.

The also love Portal 2 and Adventure Time. We've got to round it out.

Visualization of Debussy's Prelude to "The Afternoon of the Faun" (Prelude a l’après midi d’un faun). Pan week in Classical Mythology in Literature, Art and Music is always too fun.

New music about Eros and Psyche. I might find a way to introduce in Monday's edition of Classical Mythology in Literature, Art, and Music.