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Title: | Challenging humanity's idea of rape culture through the myth of Apollo and Daphne and its reevaluation |
Authors: | Galea, Aimee |
Keywords: | Rape in art Rape -- Psychological aspects Ovid, 43 B.C.-17 A.D. or 18 A.D. Metamorphoses -- Criticism and Interpretation Rape -- History |
Issue Date: | 2019 |
Citation: | Galea, A. (2019). Challenging humanity's idea of rape culture through the myth of Apollo and Daphne and its reevaluation (Bachelor’s dissertation). |
Abstract: | This visual project shall be analysing and challenging the myth of Apollo and Daphne, and other similar myths, with a direct emphasis on the various themes of rape that leads up to their consequential reconceptualisation in a modern culture of sexual assault and victimisation. The myth of Apollo and Daphne is an early prime example of how rape was perceived more as a heroic act rather than unwanted attention that leads to assault. This ideology has slowly become more and more controversial as the centuries went by. There will be a heavy focus on pivotal works from different movements in art history such as ancient times, the late Middle Ages, the Baroque and the Contemporary eras as well as other periods that will identify how these artists utilised the ever-changing ideas derived from rape culture, and their distancing from the original myths in their works, to try and clamour for a better understanding of rape and its severe consequences on one’s subconscious. It is because of these artists, and their defiance of the previous understandings of rape, that have helped instigate a slow but steady rise against sexual violence in our society and established the more current accepted worldview of rape. Additionally, the project will be delving into a raw exhibition of the emotional turmoil that the human psyche undergoes when sexually violated. The Contemporary approach to the project is due to it being the more mature and confrontational artistic era of representation for rape victims. Rape is a global epidemic. It consistently targets women and girls regardless of age, religion, race and sexual orientation. Unfortunately, having a poor understanding of what constitutes rape and consent both in a legal manner and in general is a very common trend across the world. It makes ensuring justice for survivors of sexual violence even more of a massive undertaking than it already is. In recent years, laws on sexual violence have started to be amended by governments and policymakers in order to bring their legislation better in line with today’s understanding of rape. Attempts of revamping unfair and outdated Maltese rape laws, as recently as 2017, shows promise of moving on from the previous lack of attention given towards the legal framework in order for victims to be better safeguarded by the law in the future. Despite this progress, there's no guarantee an assailant will be convicted even if victims end up reporting their assault to the police. Our society is still too bogged down by other factors like the fear of reporting, being accused falsely of rape, victim blaming and even slutshaming. Perhaps, in time, a better understanding of emotional symptoms like depression and denial will aid humanity in evolving even more; wherein other human beings feel empathy towards each other and help each other, not only by recovering from this vile ordeal, but to reach a comforting re-acceptance of their own self. This concept is realized in the visual project, where the research conducted will be utilized in order to delve into the emotional turmoil of the human psyche. It aims to encapsulate and capture the raw and psychological disturbance of an individual who has been sexually violated, and aid in humanity gaining consciousness of the resounding despairing voices of victims, which are often lost in the solitude of rape. |
Description: | B.A.(HONS)HIST.OF ART - FINE ARTS |
URI: | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46437 |
Appears in Collections: | Dissertations - FacArt - 2019 Dissertations - FacArtHa - 2019 |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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19BHAFA001.pdf Restricted Access | 7.54 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open Request a copy |
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