Abigail Stevenson
Stories (2/0)
Brutally Cute: Kawaii as a Form of Rebellion
If you've spent any substantial time on the internet, you've likely run into the kawaii aesthetic. On the surface, it's all big sparkly eyes and blushed cheeks. For the unfamiliar, the word kawaii means "cute" in Japanese. But it goes so far beyond just being cute. Kawaii is a subculture; one that has roots dating back to the early 70s. Walk into any store in Japan and you're sure to find something that will capture your heart with cuteness! Kawaii culture has expanded outside of Japan as well, with Hello Kitty being one of the most prominent examples of this fact. People dedicate their lives to this aesthetic, dressing in cute clothes or becoming collectors of rare character merchandise. But where did kawaii come from?
By Abigail Stevenson3 years ago in Geeks
MARINA: Music, Mental Illness, and Me
It's been a long time since I first heard Marina's music. Back then, she was known as Marina and the Diamonds and was currently in the midst of her Electra Heart era. I was 13 years old and in the midst of my own inner turmoil. "Teen Idle" found me at a time when I was at my most scared and alone- and I think it saved my life. I immediately listened to her entire discography. I was obsessed. As I struggled with mental illness, the razor-sharp lyricism of The Family Jewels and the upbeat nihilism of Electra Heart became my solace. But that was a long time ago.
By Abigail Stevenson3 years ago in Beat