The inaugural autumn season of the Onassis Cultural Center New York kicks off this week with its annual cultural festival, themed "Narcissus Now: The Myth Reimagined".

The festival of arts and ideas takes place at the newly renovated space of the Cultural Center, featuring a kaleidoscopic view of the myth of Narcissus through music, visual art, film, science, literature, choreography, culinary arts, fashion and digital media for curious minds. 

The inspiration for the theme is the myth of Narcissus, "the defining allegory of the postmodern age" and an emblematic example of the unparalleled influence of classical antiquity on our culture.

"The story of Narcissus is everywhere, from selfies to the excesses of social media. It’s so timely that it feels prescient. Yet the myth has an enigmatic quality, too, exposing the perils of selfregard, of solitude, of beauty. The Festival presents all these aspects of Narcissus. Our intention is to explore the intellectual depth of the myth with rigor and whimsy and a sense of fun" says Violaine Huisman, curator of Narcissus Now. 

Free and open to the public, Narcissus Now will run from Oct. 8-11, and will include over 40 events for audiences of all ages—novices and scholars alike.