Woodkid - Baltimore Fireflies
With the sudden zombie craze—that ranges from the comic and series Walking Dead, movies, video games, even the injection of zombies in literary classics, as is the case with Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies—it begs the question as to why? Why does everyone talk about their back up zombie plan at boring parties? Why are pumping out merchandise that either offers to help you kill zombies or trick other people into thinking that you would be good at killing zombies? Out of all the things on the planet, why would we be so obsessed with the idea of death regurgitating every deceased person we know back up, so they can pal around with up for a while and try and nibble on our limbs.
I personally have a hunch it is based on our own insecurities about identity in a now, globally aware society. The rise of the internet gave everyone an access to the planet. It allowed the user to engage and interact with people that were on the other side of the planet. These interacts helps the user come to terms with the fact that there are people beyond our own scope of personal interaction. While this brought everyone closer (in the sense of communication), it also require the user to become aware of just how small they actually are. You are no longer John the individual, but John out of a thousand other Johns. It is a feeling that no matter how unique and original you are, you are still lost in an ocean of people that all want attention. A hungry mob lusting for acknowledgement, acceptance, and … brains. You see where I am going here…
While zombies in our culture have obviously existed way before the internet did, I think its resurgence now is because of these new complicated issues of self that we are now having to face. These movies and games let us identify with the individual that opposes the mob, instead of being part of the mob itself. It gives us a brief break from our own insecurities and allows us a temporary confidence of our identity as being separate, and unique.
Or it could just be that everyone likes the idea of punching everyone they have ever known in the face without consequence.
I am getting a new pacemaker tomorrow. Lets casually discuss how nervous I am.
The prolific Owen Davey adds eight stunning pieces to the Folio portfolio. Enjoy! - http://www.folioart.co.uk/illustration/folio/artists/illustrator/owen-davey/
