Musings Across A Continuum

Twilight fever… akin to the Rage Virus?

Posted by Ms Harker | Filed under Creepy Pictures, Horror Films, Horror Reading, Life imitates Horror

Depression era rationing of internet bandwidth has been occurring in the Harker house hold this week, its almost over , however it has had a detrimental effect on my ability to keep up with the teaser trailers etc. As apparently, because of my web habits, it is due to me we are on rations, why I never! So this has left me trawling through forums, flaming some boards and having some hilarious interactions with a couple of my fellow femme fatale bloggers BJ-C (Day of the Woman) and Superheidi (PrettyScary.net).

Some of these interactions have involved discussions/digs at the Twilight Saga and Twifans. Now regular readers know my thoughts on the Twilight Saga. However I have been both shocked and appalled at the viciousness of the Twifans towards those who do not agree with them.

The first footage from the new film in the Twilight Saga: New Moon has been posted on Fangoria today. As you can see from the comments regarding the new footage the Twifans are a little overstimulated. Which is surprising considering the amount of advertising, both subliminal and brutal the public is being subjected to by the Twilight PR machine. BJ-C at Day Of The Woman has reached her wits end, coining the new term which is hilarious ‘Twatlight’.

Superheidi at Pretty-Scary was subjected to some rude comments when she posted about the New Moon movie posters, which lets face it are quite rubbish. As is most of the merchandising whether it be coffee mugs, tote bags, bookmarks, key rings, pencil cases, stickers, bobble heads , or your very own Edward Cullen Doll to molest at night (see below).

These interactions got me thinking, that potentially we are witnessing a new type of virus, not unlike the Rage Virus in 28 Days Later. It only infects those under the age of sixteen, it impairs their ability to form a rational argument, articulate/communicate in proper English. It also appears to impair the frontal lobe as the level of dis-inhibition and aggression towards others is also distinctive. However unlike an acquired brain injury, which damages the same part of the brain and involves similar impairments, the aggressive behaviour in these sufferers is triggered by criticism of the Twilight Saga, leaving me to conclude and name the disorder Twilight Fever or Twi-flu.

There is no known cure in sight for Twi-flu and unfortunately there is still three more films to hit screens (including New Moon), this disorder will become more prevalent and spread further throughout the world. There may be potential for a vaccine. Therefore I propose raising funds by starting a Grey Ribbon Day. Grey to symbolise the Twilight vampires who can walk around in the daytime as long as its overcast.

So next time you are abused online by a Twifan, remember Twi-flu, remember grey ribbon day and give generously.

Ms Harker

An Edward Cullen Doll, to kiss and hug and...

Tags: Horror, Horror Films, Twilight, Vampire

Read more | Comments (5) | May 30th, 2009

Cute, surreal, unsettling: Mark Ryden

Posted by Ms Harker | Filed under Creepy Pictures, Horror Art

Following up from my feature of dark kooky artist Camille Rose Garcia, I present for your consideration Mark Ryden. Mark Ryden is a relatively new artist to my favourites list. His depictions of nubile little girls often surrounded by surreal toys, iconic characters (Jesus, Santa and Lincoln drop by) and at times meat, leave the viewer in a state of confusion. Is this cute, is this messed up, pop culture, or just odd? Either way I think his art rates a mention within the horror genre especially considering the first image below. His bio describes his work as follows:

“Upon first glance Ryden’s work seems to mirror the Surrealists’ fascination with the subconscious and collective memories. However, Ryden transcends the initial Surrealists’ strategies by consciously choosing subject matter loaded with cultural connotation. His dewy vixens, cuddly plush pets, alchemical symbols, religious emblems, primordial landscapes and slabs of meat challenge his audience not necessarily with their own oddity but with the introduction of their soothing cultural familiarity into unsettling circumstances.”

Porcine Tea Party anyone?

Ms Harker

Mark Ryden

Tags: Horror, Horror Art

Read more | Comments (2) | May 25th, 2009

Art that takes us dark and kooky places.

Posted by Ms Harker | Filed under Creepy Pictures, Horror Art

I feel it’s time to share some of the other sides of my horror interests. We have traveled through the dark and twisted forests of TV, film, games and various forms of literature, ducking swooping owls (who are not what they seem), flailing limbs, evil children and women, crab walking upside down.

To enrich our continuing adventure across the musing continuum I thought I would share with you an artist I have recently discovered, via a book given to me be a charming young gentleman, an artist who has quickly become a favourite.

Camille Rose Garcia, is an artist based in Los Angeles, she was born there and grew up in LA in the 1970’s. Her bio states that: “…she grew up in the generic suburbs of Orange County, visiting Disneyland and going to punk shows with the other disenchanted youth of that era.”

Garcia’s work is communicated via cartoon character based creatures, invokes disturbing yet cute images of people and creatures in dark places, enacting the themes of humanities current horrors and challenges. Her work’s maintain an ambience though which she creates by using a palette of certain colours in order to portray her theme. Her sets of work include ‘The Saddest Place on Earth’ and ‘Ultraviolence Land’. The book I recently purchased was ‘The Saddest Place on Earth’, which is a commentary on many things including the war in Iraq, the use of pharmaceuticals and the culturally enforced belief that we must always be happy. The palette used is one of oranges, reds, browns and blacks, merging to greens and purple, conveying a definite feeling of anger, frustration, oppression and disease.

Her work is twisted, cute, yet haunting and I feel it reinforces the thoughts of many, obviously myself included, that animated/cartoon based art can portray and emote some of the evils of our species; causing us to reflect on where we are today and the crossroads of where we should go tomorrow.

Ms Harker