Classic works of art by their very nature have an impact upon succeeding generations as reflected in their own works of art. The relationship of these works forms a constellation that I am exploring as part of my experience of being human.
In the world of written works, the holy books of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic faith lineage have undoubtably had a worldwide influence on dominant culture in my lifetime. These works might have been a good starting point from which to begin this exploration, but there is already a broad network of people exploring those works. Additionally, I am certain those works will also become apparent in the constellation of works connected to the classics I explore.
To begin I choose a work created during the early years of what we call the current era as a similarly enduring work, with an influence just as pervasive and perhaps a bit more fun. This is the Metamorphoses by Ovid.
While the Metamorphoses has been translated many times in the last 2,000 years, a few new translations make this work more accessible to a wider audience. Using these newer translations as a starting point, I hope to understand the work and the impact it has had upon the stories we continue to tell.
The Metamorphoses has been a source of inspiration for two millennia, the stories of shapes transformed into new bodies being expressed in stone, clay, paint, song, and more. I follow the connections between these works to learn more of how time changes the stories of change and how we change the stories themselves.
Welcoming companions for this exploration embarking September 2026 until such time as another path opens (Iliad, Odyssey, and Aeneid?), I am open to discussing as we read. I will focus on a book (of the 15 in the Metamorphoses) every month and look for examples of the stories told and passed on in other media to share with those who want to have a solicitous exploration of the classics. Join in…
Send a postcard to:
Solomon Everta
Classical Explorer
426 2nd Street
Eureka, CA 95501
Solomon Everta 