The Making of Medusa: Why does she still haunt popular art & culture?

This event was a Seed Talks presentation featuring Dr. Natalie Lawrence discussing the mythological creature Medusa and her evolution through different cultural interpretations. Dr. Lawrence explored Medusa's origins as an apotropaic mask in ancient Greece, her transformation into a victimized rape victim in Roman literature, and her modern representations across various media. The presentation covered how Medusa has embodied fundamental human anxieties about female power, sexuality, and the natural cycles of life and death throughout history. During the Q&A session, participants discussed topics including Medusa's future transformations, the historical portrayal of women as monsters, and the significance of Athena's role in the myth. The talk concluded with reflections on how modern depictions are increasingly humanizing monsters, suggesting a shift in how society views and integrates these traditional figures.