Kiddy Fiddler [Ganymede & Zeus] (2005)

This is another of my videos (like Stag Film) based on subjects from Classical Western mythology, which have been painted and sculpted by artists for over two thousand years. The ruler of the gods swept down from Mount Olympus in the form of a giant eagle to abduct and enslave a beautiful boy he had spied from the heights of Olympus. Ganymede was eventually immortalised as the constellation and Zodiac sign Aquarius.

Many artists have made notable depictions of the Ganymede and Zeus myth, including Rubens (left, top) and Rembrandt (left, bottom). Kiddy Fiddler [Ganymede and Zeus] brings viewers face to face with the prosaic reality of this scenario; a child who is subjected to the unrequested— and clearly unwanted and uncomfortable— gaze of an unseen viewer. The images in this work are all taken from public domain 1950s educational films in the Prelinger Archive. No children were harmed! Not by me, anyway.

Comparing the two paintings here, you’ll see clearly that the Rubens version is emphasising and celebrating the erotic aspects of the myth by depicting Ganymede as a young man understandably disturbed at the prospect of being sexually violated by an eagle, but nonetheless old enough to be aware of his own decisions and the consequences of them. I don’t know how it took me so long to notice it, but also check out the extremely unsubtle placement and design of Ganymede’s quiver. He also lacks a bow. In the 16th and 17th centuries, a "quiver" would have immediately been recognised as a reference to sexual receptivity. The phrase "her quiver’s open to every arrow" indicated that the woman in question was promiscuous.

Rembrandt’s approach is closer to my own attempt, and shows a very young child crying in fear and looking back at the viewer as if imploring them for help. I suspect Rembrandt had not seen an eagle recently, however, since this one looks more like some kind of gigantic carnivorous duck. Perhaps this makes a strange variety of sense, as drakes are notorious for being rapists.

You can watch the film below. The password is Zeus. Please note that there is no soundtrack on this video apart from the hums and clicks of the original film stock, which have been further degraded by Vimeo’s MUXing process. If you turn this up too loud, you’ll probably ruin your speakers and / or deafen yourself with the next video you play.