The Founding Myths

Synopsis of the exhibition

What if the founding myths were still relevant today? Although they were written thousands of years ago, they keep inspiring us, and inspiring artists. Their stories of wars, exile, or love are the foundations of our culture, all over the world.

In virtual reality, discover the works illustrating great human epics, which, despite the distance, offer curious similarities:

• The Ramayana, illustrated by Indian miniatures
• Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, illustrated by Mimmo Paladino
• The Aeneid of Virgil, illustrated by the fresco and the ancient mosaic
• Ovid’s Metamorphoses, illustrated by Baroque painting
• The Apocalypse of Saint John, illustrated by the Angers tapestry

In Valmiki’s Ramayana or Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, exile, wars, love are one immense song. Song taken up a few centuries later by Virgil in the Aeneid, while Ovid explores in his Metamorphosis the depths of the soul and the actions of man. Meanwhile, Saint John receives his visions of the Apocalypse and prophesies the annihilation and the salvation of the man. This mythological base is the fundament of our representations and our humanity.

About the institution

This exhibition was produced in partnership with the editions Diane de Selliers, with the curatorship of Diane de Selliers. A true reference in the publishing of fine books, bringing together art and literature, Diane de Selliers editions share the values ​​of universality and dialogue dear to UMA. It is therefore natural that this partnership was born.

UMA warmly thanks Joséphine Barbereau and the entire EDS team for their participation, as well as Mathilde Louette for writing the fascinating notices that punctuate this exhibition. Finally, UMA expresses its gratitude to Mimmo Paladino who allowed us to reproduce his works inspired by the Illiad and the Odyssey. As well as Paule Amblard and Amina Okada for the expertise they brought us.

Pedagogical Tools