Villa Medici's New Group Show Makes Waves

Artists from around the world explore the allure and ambivalence of water in ‘THE SIREN SONG.’

Exhibitions

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

Read Full Article

What to Read Next

Futura and Kenny Scharf Unite With AllRightsReserved to Release a Limited-Edition Sculpture Set
Artworks

Futura and Kenny Scharf Unite With AllRightsReserved to Release a Limited-Edition Sculpture Set

Starring two pairs of characters, each onboard a distinct UFO-like spacecraft.

This Artist Legally Changed His Name to Anish Kapoor

This Artist Legally Changed His Name to Anish Kapoor

In response to the Cloudgate artist’s Vantablack controversy, the founder of Black 4.0 bites back.

Kara Walker’s Robots Come Alive in Major SFMOMA Commission
Exhibitions

Kara Walker’s Robots Come Alive in Major SFMOMA Commission

‘Fortune and the Immortality Garden (Machine)’ is now open to the public through spring 2026.

South Arts Rallies Aid for Creatives Impacted by Hurricanes Across the American Southeast

South Arts Rallies Aid for Creatives Impacted by Hurricanes Across the American Southeast

Providing short and long-term support for eligible artists across nine states.

LUPO Is a New Milanese Gallery That Should Be on Your Radar
Exhibitions

LUPO Is a New Milanese Gallery That Should Be on Your Radar

The gallery is currently showcasing a new thought-provoking exhibition by Italian artist Giuseppe Mulas.


Artists Construct a 10-Billion Person Megalopolis in ‘Views of Planet City’
Exhibitions

Artists Construct a 10-Billion Person Megalopolis in ‘Views of Planet City’

At SCI-Arc, the group exhibition confronts climate change with radical imaginations of a sustainable future.

Meriem Bennani's Latest Solo Exhibition Lands at Fondazione Prada
Exhibitions

Meriem Bennani's Latest Solo Exhibition Lands at Fondazione Prada

‘For My Best Family’ explores togetherness with clarity and curiosity.

Sotheby’s to Auction 31 of Keith Haring’s ‘Subway Drawings'
Auctions

Sotheby’s to Auction 31 of Keith Haring’s ‘Subway Drawings'

From the esteemed collection of No More Rulers founder Larry Warsh.

Brian Eno Announces New Book on the Role of Art

Brian Eno Announces New Book on the Role of Art

‘What Art Does’ explores five decades of unconventional creativity.

SCOPE Art Show 2024 Explores Interdependence and Innovation
Events

SCOPE Art Show 2024 Explores Interdependence and Innovation

Including a Hypeart presentation that explores the synergy of human creativity and technological advancement.

More ▾
 
We got you covered. Don’t miss out on the latest news by signing up for our newsletters.

Looks like you’re using an ad-blocker

We charge advertisers instead of our readers. Support us by whitelisting our site.

Whitelist Us

How to Whitelist Us

screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlock icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Under “Pause on this site” click “Always”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlock Plus icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Block ads on – This website” switch off the toggle to turn it from blue to gray.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlocker Ultimate icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Switch off the toggle to turn it from “Enabled on this site” to “Disabled on this site”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the Ghostery icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Click on the “Ad-Blocking” button at the bottom. It will turn gray and the text above will go from “ON” to “OFF”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the UBlock Origin icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Click on the large blue power icon at the top.
  3. When it turns gray, click the refresh icon that has appeared next to it or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the icon of the ad-blocker extension installed on your browser.You’ll usually find this icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. You may have more than one ad-blocker installed.
  2. Follow the instructions for disabling the ad blocker on the site you’re viewing.You may have to select a menu option or click a button.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.