Gothenburg

I've recently returned from a trip to Gothenburg, Sweden (a place I fell in love with) and I've got many more posts on the way now I'm home!

First I just wanted to share some of the cool things we stumbled across, and prove that traces of the Gothic unexpectedly everywhere... 

*evil villain laugh*

First up is some 'cliff art' of Death and the Maiden (because that's totally a thing over there) because romance is not dead.  Speaking of romance, there are many vintage clothes stores in Gothenburg, one of which I found a rail of lace and satin ballgowns which looked like Sleeping Beauty's wardrobe.  I died and went to Disney heaven.

We also found a Steampunk bar which was full of old brass trinkets, clocks and cogs, weird sepia photographs, and victoriana armchairs.  There was a big iron spiral staircase in the centre which was horrible to try and manoeuvre whilst carrying cocktails.  The cocktails themselves had THE best names: 'elixir of mystery' and 'the dark forest' were our favourites.  I've never had a steaming, frothing drink before but I'm now left with bitter disappointment that all my beverages aren't as sassy. 

Slottsskogen is a giant Park just south of the centre that was so vast that we were pretty surprised when we turned a corner and discovered seals, moose and baby deer.  Whilst not overtly Gothic I think just the sheer size of this place with its dark watery ponds, partially frozen and eerily glassy, meant we did feel quite in the wilderness at times and very far from the city.  We felt the same visiting the Southern archipelago.  Some of the islands had no inhabitants at all so you're just wandering around a ghost town with little wooden fishing shacks.  It was incredibly quiet and unlike anywhere we've been before.  We looked out over the water and you can see fish rising and splashing in the distance- which did nothing for my fear of the water, knowing I'd be getting a boat back with the sea monsters beneath me! 

Basically, I loved Gothenburg.  It was beautiful and quirky and not at all what I expected, I even found a Kawaii shop! 

Sweden, till next time...

Vernon Lee

I've been re-reading Lee's Hauntings and I REALLY recommend them. 

My favourite story in particular is 'Oke of Okehurst' about a painter commissioned by a couple to paint their portraits (shockingly!).  Once he arrives he is immediately stuck by the wife, Alice who always seems as if she is in a distant place and mercilessly teases her husband (who is also her cousin, of course) about a murder committed by their ancestors who also share their names.  Alice is enthralled by their family's history and even dresses in her ancestor, Alice Oke's clothing- much to the annoyance and concern of her young husband.  

I won't spoil the end of the story but it is a ghost story, although it makes you consider whether the ghosts are that of the past, or of our own making. 

The use of clothing as masquerade, as costume, as heirloom and as haunted item is really interesting to me and it is one of things I'm looking at in my research.  

This is the version I'm reading from; I like this one because it has a fantastic introduction by Patricia Pulham and Catherine Maxwell (you should also read Pulham's book on Art and the Transitional Object in Lee's fiction - the chapter 'Madonna Portraits and medusa Mirrors' should draw you in alone!).  Also there are some interesting essay snippets at the back, one by Lee herself writing about the Supernatural in Art. 

If anyone else has any recommendation of stories/articles/books, gothic/ghost/creepy clothing or otherwise, I would love you to share them! 

-- I've also not forgotten about Vampire Knight and I'm going to try and get a few more episodes in this weekend with a mid-season review! 

Fondest Creation - Farewell American Horror Story: Hotel

I decided very early with in this series to focus on the surface.  Did it loose it's way with the many lovers of the Countess-maybe (but I enjoyed the flashbacks it afforded us).  Was John a loathsome character right up until he realised he was a sadistic killer? Of course, and it made me feel slightly shameful that he had to artistically spray a man's insides across a wall for me to tolerate him but this series really was all about the LOOK. 

I didn't really care what they were doing, or more who they were doing, I just wanted to get lost in a sea of historical costumes, glitzy make up and killer (literally) accessories.  The finale made me realise this is okay. 

Never before has Ryan Murphy, the show's creator done anything more PopGoth than to give Hypodermic Sally a release through the internet.  I LOVED IT. I loved how accurate a reflection of contemporary society the ghost was, shouting out words to anyone and no-one , leaving footprints in a mass of void and noise, and yet we are all unnatural online (and the irony of me sat here writing this blog is not lost on me). 

Donovan's beyond the grave revelation that his heaven consists of an eternal childhood Saturday morning with pancakes was tender not because he was reaching out to the Mother he scorned for a lifetime.  His 'happiness' was a memory.  It seems the truth of Gothic to remind us that although we look continually to the future with planners, diaries and holiday countdowns (both of which I have), it is the assured passage of time and the fact that everything becomes, past, that haunts and revives us. 

I don't really want to end on such a sombre musing, so I want to thank Murphy for his 'revamping' theme, bringing together vampiric creatures, fashion, rebirth, trauma and death has resulted in the American Horror Story I've been waiting for.  

It truly was my fondest creation of his.