STRIKE MAGAZINE TALLAHASSEE
Bury The Dead WRITERS Blake N. Fiadino, Cristina Angee EDITOR Jayna O LAYOUT Kevin Farley
Rising in popularity during the devastating losses that the Black Death bestowed upon Europe, the Gothic aesthetic served as a beacon of hope during a period that was defined by death and destruction. Terror roamed the streets in the form of hunger, slowed labor, and halted trade, which quickly reworked the valiant, bright culture of the European hoi polloi into one categorized as scarce and fearful. The once economic and culturally rich state of Europe—now beaten and battered by the deaths of millions—fell apart, and the people of Europe now turned to a magnified sense of religion as their last hope of finding some semblance of peace and comfort. The strength and promise of the continent, now in shambles, reduced to the ideology of the end of the world. It was in this vulnerable state that Gothic architecture and culture were able to reign, encouraging the masses to restore the helpless state of the world through religious practices and purity, giving way to respite and rebirth after years of sorrow and loss. Culture began to mimic the architecture, though; Puritan thought, devoid of pleasure, led to the affixation of morbidity in Europe, mirrored in the art, music, and writing of the time. Gothic aesthetics encapsulate an umbrella of architecture, art, literature, and fashion. With its multifaceted expressions of death and taboo, the style urges us to BURY THE DEAD
re-examine ourselves and our society. Death, the greatest taboo of all, withstands the test of time as an emotionally evocative essence in all mediums. Its presence invites us to traverse the unknown: confront our deepest fears, explore our inner psyche, and imagine new possibilities for our world. On a personal level, exploring these themes allows freedom from the expectations and social pressures of mainstream society. On the collective level, pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable creates space for social movements and cultural evolution. This rich and nuanced counterculture has undergone various iterations throughout history, periodically regaining popularity amid collective unrest. This historic re-emergence signifies countercultural shifts in attitudes and beliefs. Functioning against mainstream modes of expression and tradition, the aesthetic is intentionally macabre. Gothic styles pay homage to the transformative power of death while challenging current taboos. Rather than regarding it negatively, one may embrace Gothicism as a manifestation of freedom and exploration. Through symbolic death, individuals and collectives unchain themselves from the rigid rules of arbitrary normalcy. These expressions are not final endings; they are rebirths.