In Rome, Villa Medici is playing host to a new elemental exploration. The exhibition, titled THE SIREN SONG, examines the ever-shifting essence of water through the lens of around 30 contemporary artists from around the globe. In a storm of seas, clouds, dew and tears, the show embarks on water’s profound beauty and urges reflection on its place in our lives.
At the heart of the exhibition is the mythical siren, first appearing in ancient Greek mythology and having since become the focal point of nautical literature and art across cultures. While they bear a haunting beauty, these creatures’ deceptive tunes symbolize entrance and temptation, guiding sailors to their demise.
Akin to the allure of the siren, water is an omen of humanity’s fascination with the dangerous unknown. Across the exhibition’s array of perspectives and mediums, this tension is made evident throughout history, pairing ancient stories with foreboding visions of our future. As sea levels rise and rivers recede, each work finds home in fluidity, reflecting on shifting states of absence and presence and the metamorphic power of water.
THE SIREN SONG is on view through January 13, 2025.
Villa Medici
Viale della Trinità dei Monti, 1,
00187 Rome, Italy
