In the heart of Paris, a compelling artistic endeavor known as « Le Fantôme Électrique » (The Electric Phantom) emerges. This innovative project captures the spirit of a happy goth and links the hereafter and our technological reality.
My intention as the visionary creator of this intriguing undertaking extends beyond the limitations of conventional artistic expression. It aims to connect French culture and history to our digital world. Finally, it provides an alternative perspective on happiness beyond the darkness and the goth movement.
The Afterworld is a Colorful Place
The subject of the afterlife is a rich source of inspiration for « The Electric Phantom ».
This mythical environment, where I see the bright watercolor images that decorated my childhood, captures a delicate interaction between light and darkness, life and death.
Themes of the afterlife are intertwined into the very fabric of this artistic endeavor through The Electric Phantom’s lyrics and its aesthetically arresting images.
The afterlife is a canvas where vivid colors blend with shades of obscurity, matching the evocative tones of The Electric Phantom’s music.
The Goth Culture
The Goth culture is central to this artistic project, a cornerstone that encapsulates our obsession with the realm beyond.
There are many references to Gothicism:
- Around 1440, to designate the medieval time.
- The Germanic people were barbarian warriors of the forest.
- The Gothicism or Gothism in Sweden.
- Gothic architecture was born in France, etc.
- The goth subculture, which originated in the UK in the early 1980s, is characterized by its interest in dark, macabre, and fantastical themes and a distinctive fashion style that often incorporates black clothing, leather, and lace.
What about today? No, Goths don’t haunt graveyards and cemeteries looking for revenge.
Modern-day goths resist stereotypes. According to whatisgoth.com, a Goth finds beauty in the shadows, embracing the cryptic and mysterious. This viewpoint does not imply malice but reflects a distinct lens through which life is perceived, including kindness, humor, and depth.
Put simply, a Goth is someone who finds beauty in things others consider dark. They love all that is dark and mysterious. That doesn’t mean they are evil, it just means they have a different perspective to many. And it also doesn’t mean they are unkind, violent or lacking in humour, in fact quite the opposite is true.
Source: whatisgoth.com
France: A Land of Misunderstood Goths
France, a land of intertwining souls and numerous conflicts, has produced a divided and complex culture.
Education has developed as a cornerstone in this fabric, nurturing generations to walk the narrow line between civilization and the primitive.
According to Hannah Arendt, « each generation of children is a barbaric civilization that adults must educate. »
« Chaque génération d’enfants est une civilisation barbare que les adultes doivent civiliser ». Hannah Arendt
Exploring gothic art offers an avenue to accept the nuances of the human condition, not shrouding nor sugar-coating but rather embracing amidst the historical weight and grim reality.
The Happy Goth: Confronting Common Stereotypes
A « happy goth » is a person who identifies as both goth and happy, challenging the common stereotype that goths are always gloomy and melancholy.
Despite its dark themes, goth culture can also be a source of joy, community, and self-expression for many people.
Strengthened by the failed experiments of Charles Baudelaire, I develop in this article, and some other writers like Friedrich Nietzsche, Charles Bukowski, and Mark Manson more recently. You have all the keys to being a happy Goth.
We should not be afraid to welcome ghosts and death, appreciate melancholy, and assume our tastes and pride in dark and refined art, even colorful. Whether through exploring the darker side of life and death or simply through a love of all things fantastical, the goth culture provides a space for people to explore their interests in the mysterious and the unknown.
It’s not only about coming to terms with specters, death, melancholy, and the exquisite beauty of the dark. It’s now about accepting colors and happiness.
So, tell me, are you a happy goth?