Weirdcore

Sensitive Content Notice ⚠️

The following article contains and discusses content that may be distressing to some readers.
Reason for Warning: This page contains themes and imagery that may evoke feelings of dissociation, derealization, and depersonalization due to its focus on disorienting content. Reader discretion is advised.

Weirdcore

Other names

Oddcore, Strangecore

Decade of origin

Early 2020s (with roots in the early internet, recognized c. 2010s)

Key motifs

Low-quality digital images, amateur editing, primitive graphics, image compression, distorted or out-of-place objects, unusual borders, word art, uncomfortably framed subjects, liminal spaces, out-of-context captions, incorrect or nonsensical labels, digital artifacts, distorted geometry

Key values

Confusion, disorientation, dread, alienation, nostalgia (anemoia), dreamlike states, distorted perception, the unfamiliar within the familiar, unease, comfort (paradoxically), curiosity, questioning of reality

Related aesthetics

After Hours
Bastardcore
Dreamcore
Glitch Art
Glitter Graphics
Kidcore
Liminal Space
Surrealism
Vaporwave
Webcore
Xpiritualism

Related media

Soup 0.9, Yume Nikki, LSD Dream Emulator

Weirdcore is a surrealist aesthetic centered on amateur or low-quality photography and visual images. These images are constructed or edited to evoke feelings of confusion, disorientation, dread, alienation, and nostalgia or anemoia. Visually, Weirdcore is influenced by the general look of images shared on the internet from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s. Common visual elements include amateur editing, primitive digital graphics, low-fidelity photography, and image compression. While the aesthetic gained popularity in the early 2020s, its elements have existed since the early internet.

Thematically, Weirdcore often conveys a feeling of dread resulting from its low-quality imagery and a lack of context regarding the location or message. This feeling of fear is a potential consequence of placing the viewer in an unfamiliar setting or context, but Weirdcore is not fundamentally rooted in horror. The viewer's emotional response is subjective and depends on individual experiences and the specific content of an image. Some viewers might perceive an image as scary or ominous, while others may feel nostalgia or comfort.

History

The precise origins of Weirdcore are not definitively known. However, elements associated with the aesthetic have existed since the early internet era. Some of the earliest examples of Weirdcore have been traced back to the mid 2010s, although it is plausible there may be earlier examples.

The aesthetic's rise in popularity is partly attributed to online explanations and video essays. While specific creators are involved in Weirdcore, identifying the earliest or most prominent figures is challenging due to reposting and the nature of platforms like Tumblr, which does not publicly display follower counts. Additionally, Weirdcore shares conceptual similarities with content found in early internet games, such as Soup 0.9 and LSD Dream Emulator, although not labeled as Weirdcore in their years of origin.

Visuals

Weirdcore visually frequently employs amateur or low-fidelity photography. These images often depict liminal spaces, though this is not a requirement. Digital elements commonly appear as plain text with incomplete or out-of-context messages, prompting viewer interpretation. Text is not a mandatory component.

Weirdcore images can be composed solely of digital elements or exclusively of amateur/low-fidelity photography. Regardless of the creation process, the visuals aim to place the viewer in an unfamiliar, confusing, and sometimes unsettling context.

Common visual characteristics include low-quality digital images, amateur editing, primitive graphics, and image compression. Distorted or out-of-place objects, unusual borders, and word art are also prevalent. Uncomfortably framed subjects and liminal spaces contribute to the aesthetic.

The visuals are often inspired by the early internet era. Compressed imagery requiring viewer interpretation is typical. Nostalgic graphics and poorly edited visuals are common. Subject matter is frequently random, out of context, and vague. These visuals can evoke a sense of vague childhood memories or a pleasant dream with an underlying sense of something being amiss.

Out-of-context or incomplete captions are frequent. Objects or ideas may be placed in unexpected locations or replaced with incongruous elements. Incomplete or glitched environments are also characteristic. Nonsensical, incorrect, or randomly applied labels may be present. Video game-inspired elements from the early internet era are sometimes incorporated.