State Silk Museum (Tbilisi, Georgia) presented art collective Gorgona with its first exhibition: Sleeping Medusa.  

According to the myth Medusa Gorgona was raped by Neptun at Athena's palace. However, Athena punished Medusa and turned her into a monster with huge teeth and snakes instead of hair. Gorgona was so hideous that she stoned people with her gaze. Perseus defeats Medusa with the helmet and shield from Athena. He easily attacks sleeping Medusa, and kills because he sees her reflection in his shield and does not have to face her. Based on women’s experiences the exhibition aims to present emotionally charged conceptual objects. The central topic is reflection, which to us is not static, but a dynamic process. Reflection, thinking about oneself and one’s life, communication with the self is usually mediated through patriarchal perspective. It is expressed through the same “language”. The language lacks words, symbols, forms that can describe women’s experience. We would like to rethink the marginal experiences of women. This time we were inspired by the myth of Medusa Gorgona.

Gorgona collective members: Mariam Kalmakhelidze, Magda Batiashvili, Mariam Pridonashvili, Kristine Bebia, Salome Vepkhvadze, Tiko Tabuashvili, Nino Gavasheli, Mariam Kapanadze, Lali Pulariani, Salome Kinkladze, Ana Kvachadze, Mariam Chichileishvili. 

Curated by: Nukri Tabidze, Mariam Gabrichidze

Supported by Womens Found in Georgia