Who is the Modern Muse?
Is there such a thing as a muse in our times?
2020, the beginning of a new decade we thought would be great. Remember when it was January First and you had all your plans and resolutions written in bright red, awaiting fulfilment.
Four months later, we are inside, not leaving our cocoons, thinking of how to be creative or sleeping our days away. We look online for inspiration. We long for beauty and originality. We find accounts we love, save all the images, girl crush over some.
Marilyn Monroe, muse (1926-1962)
We live in a time where everything is so public by being shared, liked and saved.
The meaning of the "muse" comes from the goddesses of classical mythology. Poetical inspiration hiding behind a woman's figure. The mythology muses were all symbolizing a particular thing whether it's history, music, dance or astronomy. They were inspiring others and creating desires.
The muse’s face is something the public doesn’t forget. Through times, the idea of the muse changed but one thing didn't. It is the unique signature each of them had.
Edie Sedgwick, muse (1943-1971)
I think of Edie Sedgwick’s funky eyes or Marilyn Monroe’s red smile. The idealization of the muse starts with an obsession from people on a distinct trait she possesses. Beauty often hides something difficult, distorted, not at all perfect.
Echo and Narcissus by John William Waterhouse (1903)
I think of Echo, the forgotten one or Camille Claudel who lost her mind by loving too much. I think of Jean Seberg who was found dead in the back seat of her car something shocking especially when I remember her laughing with such life in À bout de souffle.
Camille Claudel, muse (1864-1943)
Who is the figure of the muse in this era of social networks? Does she exist or has the term "muse" faded with the advent of the 2000s? Did technology create a new version of her? How to differentiate yourself from others?
When everything is a copy of everything, how do we reinterpret what we see and make it our own? So many questions.
One thing is for sure, the muse figure as we knew it has disappeared. Still, the 2020 woman is blooming. She may look like the girl next door who buys too many flowers and cat paté. She may even be clumsy and lazy. But she does know how to create a perfect Instagram feed.
The modern muse is there even though it’s behind a transparent screen.
Jean Seberg, muse (1938-1979)
Follow the author Narges on Instagram @lesnympheas
