I'm doing a subculture project ...

Sinead · Unread post by **Sinead** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:45 pm

I'm researching the Gothic subculture in America, but I'm open to those who are from other countries as well to voice their opinions. I'm doing a general sweep of the subculture, but will be interviewing at least two people locally for this. I've chosen to go about making this into a documentary-ish video. But the reason why I'm polling about this here is because I'm curious to see what the percentage of our current board are into the lifestyle or clothing style of the Gothic subculture.

Also, if you want to share what your view on what it is to be Gothic, and why, please either email or AIM me. I'm also going to be on Skype and MSN most of this weekend, since it's a holiday for America and we have Monday off of school. I want to be able to compile all the information by September 21st, that way I have two weeks to create the video.

I've only casually brushed the fashion part of Goth culture because of the elegance and old-school styles that had been redesigned for the current fashions and trends. And the wicked boots. And the ... and the ... lol. I very deeply love the fashion.

Contact Information
AIM: bwphoenixrisen
MSN: lady.of.db.kouga @ gmail.com (remove the spaces, lol)
EMAIL: (see above)
SKYPE: rivka.zephyr

Thank you very much!

Lady Venom · Unread post by **Lady Venom** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:32 pm

It depends. Most younger people call themselves 'Goth' now.

Most people older than 18 understand that Goth isn't a culture, as it is a lifestyle. Terming 'Goth' brings about stereotypes and other things associated with the words.

When Goth itself, actually has several forms of dress, style, make up, lifestyle.

But interesting none the less of a thought.

-Editing a bit-

I think I didn't spell myself out properly. blarg >< Are you just looking for the way it is portrayed in the media, or just in North America, or are you looking for a world wide sweep of everything?

Unread post by **Phoenix** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:26 pm

Can't really say I relate to the whole 'goth' thing.. I guess the closest I get to being 'goth' is a fondness for the band Evanescense. Sowwy..

Can't help with this one..

Sinead · Unread post by **Sinead** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:29 pm

My aim is to steer clear from the media's viewpoint, and to be going straight to the sources. I've done some preliminary research on the basics and the early history, but I really want to find the common denominator between all the different "brands" of the Gothic subculture at this current time. There will also be points of interest that will be touched upon as far as fashion, style and lifestyles just to prove that the spectrum that a non-Goth sees is merely a fraction of what the actual subculture is.

The point is to understand the subculture from the inside out. I know that to understand what it is to be Goth differs from one person to the next. It's an individual lifestyle, from what I've been able to tell so far, but one with aspects that can be shared.

I hope that makes sense ... it's been a long week. >.< School is kicking my butt.

Lady Venom · Unread post by **Lady Venom** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:08 pm

Then don't forget Cyber-Goths and I believe there's a version of techno-goths too...but I think it is the smallest variance from Cyber

Sinead · Unread post by **Sinead** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:15 pm

I've found some amazing pictures of Cyber-goths by a photographer in Holland named Jan Blok on Flickr. I got permission to use his photos for the project, but his won't be the only ones I'd be using.

Also, I've got a question: Is Steampunk considered to be part of the Goth or Punk subcultures? Or has it become it's own subculture?

Thank you so much for helping me clarify a few things. I'm not in over my head in this yet ... but the water is quite definitely hitting my chin.

Lady Venom · Unread post by **Lady Venom** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:25 pm

Steampunk is it's own culture, like Diesel Punk. To mix the two will cause rife on both sides. ^-^

Lady Venom · Unread post by **Lady Venom** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:28 pm

Also, be careful of mixing Punk with Goth, there are people who feel they belong to both (like myself in moments), BUT, they aren't the same. There are many punks who abhor the thought of being associated with Goths, and vice versa.

The biggest thing is to make sure that you focus solely on the Goth Lifestyle and if you must mention the dabbling in others that some do, do it lightly, as it isn't a large part of the culture.

Sinead · Unread post by **Sinead** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:14 pm

Right. And I find that bit of information curious, since the Gothic subculture came out of the darkwave Punk subculture in the UK ... or so all the websites have said. I wasn't trying to confuse the two and make them seem like they were similar ... >.<

Thank you for all your tips ... they're really going to save me when I do the interviews.

Lady Venom · Unread post by **Lady Venom** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:23 pm

If you want to really get technical, there are some out there that believe that the Gothic subculture has been out for longer than what is usually portrayed.

Though a quick search for the first Gothic woman (I HAD found it aaages ago, looking for it again now) showed this, hilariously. funny picture

Anyways, the 'gothic' culture itself was spawned way back (if you want to super dig) by novels, way back as far 1750's.

Gothic Origins Through Novelization

BUT, it never became popular till around the 1980's. But it was most certainly around before then... having it coined by a band in the UK merely 'popularized' it.

Gothic dubious origins

But I think the 'original' Gothic culture was the Victorian Goth..which is merely the Victorian culture that evolved into including the Goth as a sub part of it. I know the Victorian Goth seems more true to original form than nowaday 'Goths'

The Intergalactic Highway

I'm doing a subculture project ...

Are you Gothic/What kind?

I'm doing a subculture project ...