STIEG PERSSON: neo goth: back in black - UQ Art Museum
25 Jul 2008
neo goth: back in black
University of Queensland Art Museum
25 July - 21 September 2008
curated by Alison Kubler
goth/ emo/ surf/ indie/ punk: something decidedly dark is permeating all aspects of contemporary culture, from visual art, to fashion, literature and film. Gothic glamour is, ironically, so hot right now…
From its subcultural origins in 18th century literature through to the movement's dedicated tribes of black clad youths in the 1980s, Goth culture is no longer underground or fringe but mainstream. Some two decades later Emos enjoy supremacy as new generation Goths, skulls adorn everything from mobile phones to children's clothing, contemporary fashion is heralding a return to black via nu grave (a backlash to nu rave), Chanel's black nail polish is sold out worldwide, and The Jesus and Mary Chain are touring Australia in summer 2008 on the back of a successful tour by those other Goth veterans The Cure.
So is this 'new' interpretation of the gothic aesthetic just that, an aesthetic, or is the neo goth impulse a considered response to a darker more pessimistic world? Is Goth culture the new Zeigeist, or a retro impulse? Is Goth an attitude? neo goth dips beneath the surface and takes a peak at the noir underbelly of Australian culture as it is manifested across art, fashion, film and literature.
neo goth: back in black includes 56 artists from across Australia. The exhibition explores the relationship between contemporary culture and art, and includes painting, photography, sculpture, jewellery and the moving image by emerging and leading Australian artists.
The exhibition will be supported by diverse public programs, including music, fashion, literature and film. There will be a catalogue featuring essays by Ashley Crawford and Louise Martin-Chew.
University of Queensland Art Museum
25 July - 21 September 2008
curated by Alison Kubler
goth/ emo/ surf/ indie/ punk: something decidedly dark is permeating all aspects of contemporary culture, from visual art, to fashion, literature and film. Gothic glamour is, ironically, so hot right now…
From its subcultural origins in 18th century literature through to the movement's dedicated tribes of black clad youths in the 1980s, Goth culture is no longer underground or fringe but mainstream. Some two decades later Emos enjoy supremacy as new generation Goths, skulls adorn everything from mobile phones to children's clothing, contemporary fashion is heralding a return to black via nu grave (a backlash to nu rave), Chanel's black nail polish is sold out worldwide, and The Jesus and Mary Chain are touring Australia in summer 2008 on the back of a successful tour by those other Goth veterans The Cure.
So is this 'new' interpretation of the gothic aesthetic just that, an aesthetic, or is the neo goth impulse a considered response to a darker more pessimistic world? Is Goth culture the new Zeigeist, or a retro impulse? Is Goth an attitude? neo goth dips beneath the surface and takes a peak at the noir underbelly of Australian culture as it is manifested across art, fashion, film and literature.
neo goth: back in black includes 56 artists from across Australia. The exhibition explores the relationship between contemporary culture and art, and includes painting, photography, sculpture, jewellery and the moving image by emerging and leading Australian artists.
The exhibition will be supported by diverse public programs, including music, fashion, literature and film. There will be a catalogue featuring essays by Ashley Crawford and Louise Martin-Chew.
