Vik Muniz, Medusa Marinara (Caravaggio's Medusa), 1999

Vik Muniz

Caravaggio’s Medusa (Medusa Marinara) features an image of Muniz’s recreation of Caravaggio’s Medusa (1590, Gallerica degli Uffizi, Florence) rendered in pasta marinara. The pasta “drawing” was then photographed and digitally printed on this porcelain plate fabricated in France. This sought-after edition was published by the Peter Norton Family Christmas Project in 1999. Every year since 1988, technology entrepreneur and avid collector Peter Norton commissioned an artist to create an original work of art that is then produced in a limited edition of 3,000 and sent to friends and select art institutions. In 1999, Vik Muniz was chosen and "Medusa Marinara" is his contribution to the project. Vik Muniz is known for using materials like wire, sugar, dirt, and chocolate sauce to create images that he then photographs. This Medusa Plate features an image of Muniz’s recreation of Caravaggio’s Medusa (1590, Gallerica degli Uffizi, Florence) rendered in pasta marinara. It can be displayed or used as a serving dish, allowing the Medusa image to be revealed as food is removed.