Photos courtesy of J. Paul Getty Trust
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
If sculptures, paintings and rich history are not enough to attract a young crowd to the Getty Villa, maybe demigods, mythological photo opps and Percy Jackson will be.
On Aug. 18—in honor of Percy Jackson’s birthday—the Villa launched “The Demigods,” a free, interactive mobile tour that allows visitors to discover their immortal lineage.
The tour, inspired by the best-selling Percy Jackson series of books and movies, takes young visitors “through the Villa on an audio adventure,” a statement from the museum explained.
Each guest chooses their destiny by identifying personal traits that allow the program to reveal the identity of their immortal parent—just like author Rick Riordan’s character Percy Jackson, who is the son of a mortal, Sally Jackson, and a Greek god, Poseidon.
“The Demigods” features interactions with a cast of mythological characters, including Hercules, Venus, Hades, and other gods and heroes—all while investigating the Villa, searching for clues and context among the collection of antiquities.
“The Getty Villa is the perfect setting for bringing Percy Jackson’s world to life,” said Lisa Clements, assistant director of education, public programs and interpretive content. “Many of our younger visitors were first attracted to mythological characters and stories through the popular Rick Riordan book series. ‘The Demigods’ Villa tour invites them even deeper into that world by offering them choices and dilemmas rooted in mythology and connected to the story world of Percy Jackson.”
At the conclusion of the tour—after dodging monsters and avoiding an unfriendly god—visitors will receive a keepsake bracelet that identifies their divine parent and camp cabin.
“The Demigods” is now a permanent offering at the Villa.
To reserve a timed-entry ticket, visit getty.edu. Click here for more information about the tour.
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