Unit 08_ Introduction & Initial Research

• Introduction of this Unit

I have chose Artemis because, as the goddess of the moon, hunting, chastity, purity, and archery —one of the most fundamental hunting skills—most intuitively embodies her characteristics. Additionally, it gave me the opportunity to explore and study how the body’s center of gravity shifts when wielding a weapon.

The core objective of this unit is to study human anatomy more professionally, model an ideal human figure using 3D Maya and ZBrush, and apply this to the gods appearing in Greek mythology. Another important element of this unit is expressing the figures through dynamic poses that highlight each god’s unique characteristics.

Artemis, the goddess of the hunt who is also closely associated with the wild, has a relatively free-spirited and energetic side compared to other goddesses, and this was reflected in her physique and pose.

• Basic Research About Artemis

Artemis is one of the Twelve Olympians in ancient Greek mythology and is known as the goddess of the hunt, the protector of the wild, the goddess of chastity, the patroness of childbirth and children, and the goddess of the moon (especially the crescent moon). She is the daughter of Zeus, the supreme god, and Leto, a Titan goddess , and is also the twin sister of Apollo, the god of the sun.

As the goddess of the hunt, her most iconic image is that of her holding a bow and arrow. She tends to enjoy roaming the forests and mountains in pursuit of game and is often depicted accompanied by deer or hunting dogs. She is not merely a hunter of animals but also serves as a protector of wildlife. As a guardian of nature and the wild, she was a goddess closer to nature than to human civilization, and she symbolized the free and independent power of nature.

Originally, Selene was the goddess of the moon in Greek mythology, but as Artemis came to be identified with the moon in later times, the perception of her as the “goddess of the moon” grew stronger. Moreover, through her connection to her twin, the god of Sun Apollo, she naturally came to embody the symbols of the moon.

As mentioned earlier, her symbols include a bow and arrow, a crescent moon, deer and hunting dogs, and the cypress tree.

Furthermore, Artemis is depicted as a deity with a highly independent nature among the Greek gods. She is characterized by her pursuit of freedom and strong sense of self-reliance, her rejection of traditional marriage, her protective instinct toward young life, and her ruthless punishment of those who break the rules. Because of these characteristics, Artemis is typically depicted in ancient sculpture and painting as a young woman with an athletic physique, holding a bow and arrow, wearing a short chiton, and appearing alongside a deer.

• Artemis as depicted in modern times

In modern media, Artemis has evolved from the image of the “chaste goddess of the hunt” found in ancient sculpture. In recent games, animations, and films, Artemis is often reinterpreted in three main ways.

First, in classical mythology, Artemis was depicted as living freely in the woods, enjoying hunting, refusing to marry, and not depending on men. This makes her an ideal subject for modern creators to portray as a “strong female figure.” Consequently, in modern works, Artemis is primarily depicted as an archer, ranger, hunter, or warrior.

Second, while she is actually portrayed more prominently as the “Goddess of the Hunt” in the original texts, modern works tend to emphasize elements associated with the moon goddess—such as the crescent moon, silver hair, the night sky, and stars. This is because, in modern fantasy, the moon is linked to femininity, mystery, nature, and independence.

Third, modern creators tend to portray Artemis as a being who loves nature more than civilization, frequently utilizing elements such as animal horns, deer motifs, leather attire, leaf decorations, and the colors of the forest. However, deer antlers were not a typical feature of Artemis in ancient mythology and are closer to design elements created in modern times.

The most representative example is the depiction of Artemis in the indie game <Hades> which was released by SuperGiant Games on 2019. Her physical features include green hair that intuitively visualizes her wild nature, clothing made of animal hides, deer antlers, and a silver crescent moon headdress. In the game, she appears as an introverted and independent figure who prefers the forest to socializing with people; while she lacks social skills, she possesses a warm side. Consequently, Artemis in Hades carries a very strong image of a “lone wolf-like hunter who enjoys being alone.”

• Statement of this Unit

Reflecting both the portrayal of Artemis in classical mythology and her modern reinterpretations, this work will explore her distinct independence and contemporary femininity—which stand out more prominently than those of other goddesses—and will illustrate these qualities through the tension and relaxation of the body, based on an anatomical study.