David Austen The Gorgons Dream

The Gorgon’s Dream (Edinburgh) (21/06/2012)

A peep into darkness. Medusa awakes from her slumber.

Ingleby Gallery and EIFF present a new silent black and white film by artist David Austen set in the magical interior of The Burns Monument, one of Edinburgh’s architectural gems.

The Gorgon’s Dream is Austen’s haunting interpretation of a small bronze sculpture in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. Made in the 16th century by Benuvenuto Cellini, the sculpture depicts the head of Medusa held tightly in a fist, a model for ‘Perseus and the Medusa’ in Florence. At once violent and seemingly gentle, the sculpture struck Austen as disconcertingly similar to a photograph by Lee Miller; the back of the head of a coifed woman, her own hand grasping her hair.

As a contemporary piece of film referencing classical myth The Gorgon’s Dream found it’s natural home for the EIFF in one of Edinburgh’s historic monuments. Built in 1831 to house a statue of the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns, the Burns Monument is based on the Choragic Monument, built to commemorate dramatic performances in ancient Athens. Overlooking Edinburgh’s Old Town and Arthur’s Seat, this dramatic location is the ideal setting to experience this fragment of myth and to discover a time and space where tender darkness reigns.

The Gorgon’s Dream, 6mins, on loop
The Burns Monument, Regent Road

Thursday 21 June, noon – 6pm
Friday 22 June, noon – 9pm
Saturday 23 June, noon – 6pm
Sunday 24 June, noon – 6pm

Admission is free and no booking is necessary.

For more information, please click here.

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