The Odyssey Remix: Epic Tale, Modern Takes

Talk
Side-by-side diptych, with an illustration of a Cyclops looming over a group of people on the right and an ancient black-and-red vase on the left.

Left: Attic Black-Figure Column Krater depicting Odysseus bound under the ram, the leader of the flock, to escape from the one-eyed giant Cyclops, 525–500 BCE, Greek (Attic). Terracotta. Getty Museum. Gift of Barbara and Lawrence Fleishman. Right: Illustration of Cyclops from The Odyssey, 2010, Gareth Hinds. © Gareth Hinds

Saturday, May 30, 2026

10am–5:30pm

Getty Villa

Villa Auditorium

Free

Tickets are free, but required for event entrance. Your ticket is for all of the day's events and will also serve as your Villa entrance reservation. Please note, there is a fee for parking.

To watch online, register via Zoom.

Once you register, you'll receive an email detailing how to join online. The Zoom link provided will allow you to join all of the day's talks.

Tickets available Monday, May 11, 2026.

About

Why has The Odyssey remained relevant for thousands of years? Join experts and creators to explore how Odysseus’s journey continues to reach new audiences through translation, adaptation, and reinterpretation. Begin with a look at the ancient poem and ancient artists' conceptions of Homeric characters in artworks in Getty’s collection. Then, hear from contemporary creators working in illustration, music, gaming, television/film, and theater. Through presentations and conversations, discover how timeless themes of homecoming and identity keep The Odyssey thriving in popular culture.

Schedule of Events

Morning: 10am–1pm

3,000 Years of Homecoming: The Odyssey’s Journey Through Time
Classics professor and Homer expert Joel P. Christensen traces how The Odyssey has evolved from ancient oral poetry to modern adaptations, exploring its story, themes, and lasting appeal.

Ancient Artists and The Odyssey
Highlighting mighty gods and malignant monsters, Getty from the Antiquities, Education, and Public Programs departments share their favorite artworks in the Villa’s collection that portray Odysseus’s journey.

Visual Storytelling and Illustrating the Classics
Illustrator and graphic novelist Gareth Hinds discusses his visual storytelling process, career path, and the challenges of adapting Homer and other classics into comics.

Becoming Nobody: What Performing The Odyssey in All 50 States Taught Me About Homer (and Odysseus)
Singer/songwriter Joe Goodkin performs selections from his folk opera adaptation of The Odyssey, reflecting on how nearly 400 performances over two decades have shaped his understanding of Homer, oral tradition, and storytelling.

Audience Q&A with Joel, Gareth, and Joe.

1–2:45pm

LUNCH BREAK / MUSEUM VISIT / DROP-IN ACTIVITIES / SHOP

Afternoon: 2:45–5:15pm

No Place Like Home: Why The Odyssey Is the Story We Keep Retelling
Mythologist John Bucher explores why the journey home at the center of The Odyssey continues to resonate in contemporary culture. After his presentation, game designer Rowan Hall and media psychologist Andrea Letamendi join him to discuss the influence of that journey on film, television, gaming, and beyond. Audience Q&A follows.

Odysseus in the Prison Pipeline
Michael Morgan, professor of voice and speech at UC Santa Barbara, and documentary filmmaker Mark Manning share how reimagining The Odyssey through the viewpoint of formerly incarcerated youth reveals resilience, healing, and the struggle for freedom and belonging. Audience Q&A follows.

Reception 5:30–7pm

    Talk Getty Villa

    Know Before You Go

    Duration

    In person: All day, from 10am concluding with a reception from 5:30–7pm.
    Online: Talks begin at 10am and conclude at 5:30pm

    Planning your arrival

    Please bring your tickets with you and have them open on your mobile device or printed. Your event ticket is also your entry to the Villa and will be checked upon arrival.

    Your ticket will also be checked at the event entrance.

    Note that during busy times of year and weekends, we recommend planning your visit to allow for at least 20 minutes to park, go through security, and make your way to the event.

    Event Check-In

    The Getty Villa will open at 9am for event attendees.

    Check-in starts 30 minutes before the program start time at the Auditorium, at which point doors will also open for seating.

    Seating

    Unless otherwise noted, all seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend arriving early to guarantee a seat. Unclaimed tickets may be released 15 minutes prior to the event.

    Accessibility

    Wheelchairs are available for free rental on a first-come, first-served basis in the Entry Pavilion.

    Seating for wheelchair users and their party is available at the back of the auditorium, as well as at the front of the space. If you'd like to sit in the front, please let a Visitor Services associate know when you check in and they can escort you to these seats.

    Assisted listening devices are available for this event. Please request one from our Visitor Services associates when you check in.

    For more information on how we can support your visit to the Getty Villa, learn about accessibility at Getty.

    Can’t make it?

    Shortly following this event, a recording will be available on Getty's YouTube channel under "Talks and Conversations."

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