In Kris Kuksi's "Leda and the Swan," the mythical woman sits nude and slightly less voluptuous than Rubens and Cézanne's versions of her. In this mixed-media assemblage, the mother of Helen of Troy is surrounded by cities that literally rise above her and more that are flipped upside down. Train tracks crumble. Armies go to battle. Severed heads hang from the trees that loom over the scenes.
Merve Öztemel is an independent 3D designer and sculptor known for creating stunning and elegant 3D-printed headpieces. Her designs are deeply inspired by mythology and philosophy, reflecting complex themes such as interconnectedness and transformation. One headpiece draws from the concept of "Dependent Origination," symbolizing a universe where everything is connected and constantly evolving. Another design channels the icy beauty and mysterious nature of Yuki-onna, expressed through a striking black crown that merges melancholy with modern elegance.
At its conceptual core lies the Valknut, a geometric symbol linked to Odin and associated with themes of strength, protection, and transcendence.
What do a pagan war god and a serpent-tailed fairy have in common? Both were claimed as ancestors by England's medieval kings, who used myth and legend to elevate their status and reinforce their right to rule.