The narrative of Echo and Narcissus examines the interplay between beauty and self-obsession through the tragic fate of Narcissus, a beautiful youth who becomes entranced by his own reflection in a pool of water. This intense self-admiration renders him oblivious to the affections of Echo, a nymph who, afflicted by a curse, can only repeat the last words of the person she speaks to.
Rejected and heartbroken, Echo retreats into solitude, fading away until only her voice remains. Meanwhile, Narcissus, realising too late that he cannot possess his own reflection, becomes consumed by despair. He eventually dies by the water's edge, and in his place, a beautiful flower blooms. The myth highlights themes of unrequited love, self-obsession, and the pain that can arise from neglecting genuine affection.
Baker brings this story into the contemporary realm, reflecting on how the modern world is encountered. As if through the shallow pool of narcissus’s own reflection, this myopic lens which echoes our surroundings back to us. “We have isolated ourselves to our own reflection. Social media has just become this echo chamber where algorithmic patterns repeat back to us the images and words and ideas we seek out. We are submerged into this kind of digital mirror.” (Megan Baker)

Narcissus Gazing at His Reflection and Cupid Shooting an Arrow by Nicolas Poussin