Ludovik Vermeersch's article on artistic alter egos explores how creative personas function as mythological constructs that simultaneously extend and constrain artistic identity. By examining the motives behind alter ego creation, the article illuminates how these artificial personas represent modern manifestations of ancient mythological patterns where identity is understood as fluid and potentially multiple rather than fixed and singular.

The connection to the myth of Narcissus is particularly revealing, suggesting that artistic alter egos often embody the paradoxical quest for self-knowledge through self-transformation. Just as Narcissus becomes transfixed by his own image—recognising yet not recognising himself—artists who create alter egos engage in complex dialogues with externalised aspects of themselves, seeking both escape from and deeper understanding of their artistic identity through this mythological doubling.

The concept of the "mythically enhanced personality" suggests how alter egos function as more than mere pseudonyms or disguises, instead serving as transformative vehicles that allow artists to transcend ordinary limitations. This enhancement parallels traditional mythological narratives where humans acquire extraordinary capabilities through divine intervention or transformation, adapting ancient patterns of transcendence to address contemporary artistic concerns about authenticity, identity, and creative potential.

The article's title—The Vain Escape From The Self—encapsulates the fundamental paradox at the heart of artistic alter egos: the impossibility of truly escaping one's identity even through elaborate mythological constructions. This tension between transformation and inevitable return to self reflects broader patterns in mythological thinking, where transcendence is always temporary and partial, constrained by fundamental conditions of human existence. The contemporary artistic exploration of alter egos thus represents a sophisticated adaptation of traditional mythological concepts to address modern concerns about identity, authenticity, and the boundaries of the self.