Changes: Lobotomy Chic

Revision as of 19:59, 6 May 2022

The lobotomy chic aesthetic focuses on exploring femininity through meta-irony, detachment, and nihilism. It is also heavily influenced by different early 2000’s aesthetics such as Indie Sleaze and Americana, as well as tumblr nostalgia from the early 2010’s. It is mostly used by girls who feel empowered by detaching from reality and acting as though apathetic and mysterious.

The name was coined by writer Rayne Fisher-Quann on her article “The cult of the dissociative pout”. The term is a combination of “heroin chic”- which glamourizes an unhealthy and deathly, detached style, and lobotomy- a procedure that was executed on mental patients during the 1950’s and caused them to act mentally detached and out of place. (many of the lobotomy-chic girls jokingly state how they need to get this procedure, pointing at the aesthetic’s twisted-dark-humor nature.)

What distinguishes this aesthetic from other online-feminine aesthetics is the focus on apathy and “not caring” as a means of being powerful and attractive; Instead of characterizing yourself as a strong, bossy woman (for example, like the waif aesthetic) or contrarily to that, showing femininity through being delicate and soft, the lobotomy chic aesthetic doesn’t practice either, and instead it’s main goal is to come across as broad and undefinable as possible, you act uninterested and unbothered to maintain the same performance of powerfulness and independence but in a different manner. As Fisher-Quann writes: ”[Lobotomy-chic] still cares about being sexy, but knows there’s nothing sexy about caring too much. And in times of discord, chaos, and fear, a cultural descent into nihilism makes sense.”^[1]

Visuals

Fiona apple lobotomy — Fiona Apple is also considered an influence on this aesthetic. Both musically and visually.

Due to it's focus on broadness and obscurity, it's hard to precisely define the aesthetic visually, though it is recognizable due to its tendency to appear "niche". Usually, lobotomy-chic references 90’s, early 2000’s, and even early 2010’s aesthetics- by the use of flash photography, wearing messy/no makeup, preppy clothes styled in an unorganized manner, and Catholic/Christian symbolism (mostly used ironically). The visuals of this aesthetic will mostly focus on places/fashion/pictures that feel “out of place” and esoteric (for example- preppy school girls photographed in liminal spaces), to enhance the effect of dissociation.

Notably, a specific style of photography plays a major role in this aesthetic. Usually there will be use of flash photography, obscure settings and irrelevant objects, feminine clothing, messy hair and makeup accompanied by the pose of the "dissociated pout" or an eye roll - looking uninterested and effortless, like you weren't aware of the photograph being taken. There's a tendency to look numb, almost as if you were really lobotomized.

Pinterest Boards

lobotomy by myra
lobotomy moment‼️ by Molly Tripp

Philosophy

As stated before, the motive of the aesthetic is to act detached and uninterested in our reality. The main goal is to be as effortlessly sexy as possible. This attitude is usually derived from a nihilistic approach to life, which is also a key value of this aesthetic- you're detaching from reality since there's no meaning to it and nothing good about it. Ironically, this article about the aesthetic itself doesn’t match the aesthetic’s values of vagueness and irony; since acknowledging it and showcasing it as a structured style that can be performed in a certain way, reduces it’s purpose of effortlessness and undefined-ness.

Media

Movies

The Virgin Suicides (1999)
Saint Maud (2019)
Girl, Interrupted (1999)
Trouble Every Day (2001)
Sucker Punch (2011)

TV

Daria (1997)
Euphoria (2019)
Ratched (2020)
Twin Peaks (1990)

Books

My Year of Rest and Relaxation - Otessa Moshfegh
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
Diary of an Oxygen Thief-Anonymous
The Stranger-Albert Camus
No Longer Human-Osamu Dazai

Music

Artists

FIona Apple
Mazzy Star
Hole
Lana Del Rey
Alice Glass
Mars Argo
Elita
PJ Harvey
Mitski
Feist

Playlists

lobotomized housewife by anya🕊
lobotomy by mía
Lobotomy by Karolina Palacios

Gallery

References

↑ https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/y3v8m5/dissociative-pout-selfie-nihilism

[1] ttps://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/y3v8m5/dissociative-pout-selfie-nihilism

[1]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Aesthetic|image1=Chloe cherry.jpg|caption1=Chloe Cherry photographed by @stolenbesos, both are considered a heavy influence on this aesthetic|decade_of_origin=2020's|key_motifs=dissociation, pouty-face, catholic imagery, nostalgia, esoteric references, messiness, artificial authenticity, online culture and web "it girls"|key_colours=grey, brown, white, beige-yellow, light blue|key_values=detachment, nihilism, meta-irony, femininity, dark humor, broadness, self-awarness|related_aesthetics=[[Waif]]<br>[[Morute]]<br>[[Grunge]]<br>[[2014-era tumblr]]<br>[[2000's Autumn]]<br>[[Indie Sleaze]]<br>[[Trailer Park Princess]]<br>[[Midwest Gothic]]<br>[[Weirdcore]]<br>[[SacriCore]] }}The name was coined by writer Rayne Fisher-Quann on her article [https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/y3v8m5/dissociative-pout-selfie-nihilism “The cult of the dissociative pout”.] The term is a combination of “heroin chic”- which glamourizes an unhelathy and deathly, detached style, and lobotomy- a procedure that was executed on mental patients during the 1950’s and caused them to act mentally detached and out of place. (many of the lobotomy-chic girls jokingly state how they need to get this procedure, pointing at the aesthetic’s twisted-dark-humor nature.)
+{{Aesthetic|image1=Chloe cherry.jpg|caption1=Chloe Cherry photographed by @stolenbesos, both are considered a heavy influence on this aesthetic|decade_of_origin=2020's|key_motifs=dissociation, pouty-face, catholic imagery, nostalgia, esoteric references, messiness, artificial authenticity, online culture and web "it girls"|key_colours=grey, brown, white, beige-yellow, light blue|key_values=detachment, nihilism, meta-irony, femininity, dark humor, broadness, self-awarness|related_aesthetics=[[2000's Autumn]]<br>[[Dark Nymphet]]<br>[[Grunge]]<br>[[Indie]]<br>[[Indie Sleaze]]<br>[[Kinderwhore]]<br>[[Midwest Gothic]]<br>[[Morute]]<br>[[SacriCore]]<br>[[Sadpeople]]<br>[[Trailer Park Princess]]<br>[[Waif]]<br>[[Weirdcore]] |other_names=Dissociative Pout,<br>Selfie Nihilism}}
-The lobotomy chic aesthetic focuses on exploring femininity through meta-irony, detachment, and nihilism. It is also heavily influenced by different early 2000’s aesthetics such as [[Indie Sleaze]] and [[Americana]], as well as tumblr nostalgia from the early 2010’s. It is mostly used by girls who feel empowered by detaching from reality and acting as though apathetic and mysterious.
+The '''lobotomy chic''' aesthetic focuses on exploring femininity through meta-irony, detachment, and nihilism. It is also heavily influenced by different early 2000’s aesthetics such as [[Indie Sleaze]] and [[Americana]], as well as tumblr nostalgia from the early 2010’s. It is mostly used by girls who feel empowered by detaching from reality and acting as though apathetic and mysterious.
+The name was coined by writer Rayne Fisher-Quann on her article [https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/y3v8m5/dissociative-pout-selfie-nihilism “The cult of the dissociative pout”.] The term is a combination of “heroin chic”- which glamourizes an unhealthy and deathly, detached style, and lobotomy- a procedure that was executed on mental patients during the 1950’s and caused them to act mentally detached and out of place. (many of the lobotomy-chic girls jokingly state how they need to get this procedure, pointing at the aesthetic’s twisted-dark-humor nature.)
-What instinguishes this aesthetic from other online-feminine aesthetics is the focus on apathy and “not caring” as a means of being powerful and attractive; Instead of characterizing yourself as a strong, bossy woman (for example, like the [[waif]] aesthetic) or controrary to that, showing femininity through being delicate and soft, the lobotomy chic aesthetic doesn’t practice either, and instead it’s main goal is to come across as broad and undefinable as possible, you act uninterested and unbothered to maintain the same performance of powerfulness and independence but in a different manner. As Fisher-Quann writes: ”[The aesthetic] still cares about being sexy, but knows there’s nothing sexy about caring too much. And in times of discord, chaos, and fear, a cultural descent into nihilism makes sense.”<ref>https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/y3v8m5/dissociative-pout-selfie-nihilism</ref>
+What distinguishes this aesthetic from other online-feminine aesthetics is the focus on apathy and “not caring” as a means of being powerful and attractive; Instead of characterizing yourself as a strong, bossy woman (for example, like the [[waif]] aesthetic) or contrarily to that, showing femininity through being delicate and soft, the lobotomy chic aesthetic doesn’t practice either, and instead it’s main goal is to come across as broad and undefinable as possible, you act uninterested and unbothered to maintain the same performance of powerfulness and independence but in a different manner. As Fisher-Quann writes: ”[Lobotomy-chic] still cares about being sexy, but knows there’s nothing sexy about caring too much. And in times of discord, chaos, and fear, a cultural descent into nihilism makes sense.”<ref>https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/y3v8m5/dissociative-pout-selfie-nihilism</ref>
 ==Visuals==
 [[File:Fiona apple lobotomy.jpg|thumb|194x194px|Fiona Apple is also considered an influence on this aesthetic. Both musically and visually.|alt=]]
-<br />Due to it's focus on broadness and obscurity, it's hard to precisely define the aesthetic visually, though it is recognisable due to its tendency to appear "niche". Usually, lobotomy-chic references 90’s, early 2000’s, and even early 2010’s aesthetics- by the use of flash photography, wearing messy/no makeup, preppy clothes styled in an unorganized manner, and catholic/christian symbolism (mostly used ironically). The visuals of this aesthetic will mostly focus on places/fashion/pictures that feel “out of place” and esoteric (for example- preppy school girls photographed in liminal spaces), to enhance the effect of dissociation.
+<br />Due to it's focus on broadness and obscurity, it's hard to precisely define the aesthetic visually, though it is recognizable due to its tendency to appear "niche". Usually, lobotomy-chic references 90’s, early 2000’s, and even early 2010’s aesthetics- by the use of flash photography, wearing messy/no makeup, preppy clothes styled in an unorganized manner, and Catholic/Christian symbolism (mostly used ironically). The visuals of this aesthetic will mostly focus on places/fashion/pictures that feel “out of place” and esoteric (for example- preppy school girls photographed in liminal spaces), to enhance the effect of dissociation.
 Notably, a specific style of photography plays a major role in this aesthetic. Usually there will be use of flash photography, obscure settings and irrelevant objects, feminine clothing, messy hair and makeup accompanied by the pose of the "dissociated pout" or an eye roll - looking uninterested and effortless, like you weren't aware of the photograph being taken. There's a tendency to look numb, almost as if you were really lobotomized.
+===Pinterest Boards===
+*[https://www.pinterest.com/ocqila/lobotomy/ lobotomy] by myra
+*[https://www.pinterest.com/bandturtles01/lobotomy-moment/ lobotomy moment‼️] by Molly Tripp
 ==Philosophy==
-As stated before, the motive of the aesthetic is to act detached and uninterested in our reality. The main goal is to be as effortlessly sexy as possible. This attitude is usually derived from a nihilistic approach to life, which is also a key value of this aesthetic- you're detaching from reality since there's no meaning to it and nothing good about it. Ironically, this article about the aesthetic itself doesn’t match the aesthetic’s values of vagueness and irony; since acknowledging it and showcasing it as a structured style that can be performed in a certain way, reduces it’s purpose of effortlessness and undefinedness.
+As stated before, the motive of the aesthetic is to act detached and uninterested in our reality. The main goal is to be as effortlessly sexy as possible. This attitude is usually derived from a nihilistic approach to life, which is also a key value of this aesthetic- you're detaching from reality since there's no meaning to it and nothing good about it. Ironically, this article about the aesthetic itself doesn’t match the aesthetic’s values of vagueness and irony; since acknowledging it and showcasing it as a structured style that can be performed in a certain way, reduces it’s purpose of effortlessness and undefined-ness.
 ==Media==
@@ Line 18: / Line 25: @@
 ===Movies===
-* The Virgin Suicides (1999)
+*The Virgin Suicides (1999)
 *Saint Maud (2019)
 *Girl, Interrupted (1999)
@@ Line 33: / Line 40: @@
 ===Books===
-* My Year of Rest and Relaxation-Otessa Moshfegh
+*My Year of Rest and Relaxation - Otessa Moshfegh
-*The Bell Jar-Sylvia Plath
+*The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
-*Diary of an Oxygen Thief-Anonymus
+*Diary of an Oxygen Thief-Anonymous
 *The Stranger-Albert Camus
 *No Longer Human-Osamu Dazai
-=== Music===
+==Music==
+===Artists===
-* FIona Apple
+*FIona Apple
-* Mazzy Star
+*Mazzy Star
 *Hole
 *Lana Del Rey
@@ Line 48: / Line 56: @@
 *Mars Argo
 *Elita
-*PJ Harvey
+* PJ Harvey
 *Mitski
 *Feist
+===Playlists===
+*[https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Us6libxC0RoYTdNQqaVxP lobotomized housewife] by anya🕊
+*[https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4v8aB27AjVJdtyGxlTJNIE lobotomy] by mía
+*[https://open.spotify.com/playlist/154hNYKW8BcIG4zn4iLphh Lobotomy] by Karolina Palacios
 ==Gallery==
-<gallery>
+<gallery widths="140">
 File:Lobotomy chic example chloe.jpeg
 File:Lobotomy chic example lilly.jpg
 File:Lobotomy chic example christ.jpeg
@@ Line 66: / Line 80: @@
 File:Lobotomy chic example petra x chloe.jpg
 File:Lobotomy chic example stolenbesos.jpeg
-File:lobotomy chic ex1.png
+File:Lobotomy chic ex1.png
-File:lobotomy chic ex2.jpeg
+File:Lobotomy chic ex2.jpeg
-File:lobotomy chic ex3.jpeg
+File:Lobotomy chic ex3.jpeg
-File:lobotomy chic ex4.jpeg
+File:Lobotomy chic ex4.jpeg
 File:Lobotomy chic example panties.jpeg
-File:Lobotomy chic example petra.jpeg
 File:Lobotomy chic example t.jpeg
 File:Lobotomy chic example nun.jpg
-File:Lobotomy chic example selfie.jpeg
 File:Lobotomy chic example blue.jpg
 File:Lobotomy chic example mary.jpg
 </gallery>
+== References ==
+<references />
 [[Category:Visual]]
+[[Category:Feminine]]
+[[Category:Creepy]]
+[[Category:Mature]]
+[[Category:2020s]]