Florida Folklore: Myth and Legends of a Tourist Utopia
My senior thesis project explores the mythos of Florida, the place where I grew up, through the lens of horror, surrealism, and subversion. Florida is a place known for its tourism, beaches, and theme parks, however, there is an underbelly of culture and legend often disregarded. Therefore, my thesis will subvert the common visual language of Florida through the crafting of an alternative dreamscape while expanding on historical narratives.
Weeki Watchi Mermaids
Believed in around the country, but specifically in tropic coastal landscapes like Florida, mermaids have captured the imagination of the world for hundreds of years. Mermaids or sirens are fabled to to be particularly vengeful however, and many sightings relate to alluring songs, beautiful seawomen, or tipped boats. These instances are believed to be caused by the mermaid's distate for humanity, in particular fishermen, who cast lines and nets that entangle their species.
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Moss Man
The Moss Man was first spotted in 1978 by a couple who were enjoying their time on a beach. At first they noticed a human shaped figure in a raincoat lying down by the rocks near the coastline and did not take much notice of it. That was until it stood up and stared directly at the couple, unmoving, with its shining red eyes. The couple then noticed that what they had believed to be a raincoat was actually a layer of green, leafy foliage attached to its skin. The couple scrambled to their feet and ran away but when investigators arrived at the scene, all that remained was a clump of Spanish moss. The Moss Man is believed to still wander the forests of the Florida coastline where he hunts wildlife and stalks tourists from the underbrush.
Hvcko Capko
The Hvcko Capko is a gray, wolf-like monster with long, pointed ears and hooked feet. Originating from Seminole folklore, the Hvcko Capko is known across Florida and Oklahoma for its foul stench that spreads like a fog and infects passerbys. One can detect that the creature is nearby if they smell the foul, garbage like scent or feel a pair of eyes stalking them from the underbrush. While not necessarily aggressive, the folklore warns against touching the Hvcko Capko, as its fur is riddled with diseases that could kill a human almost instantly.
Criterion Channel: Ginger Snaps DVD
The Criterion Channel Project challenges students to fully design DVD packaging for a title featured in the Criterion Collection. Ginger Snaps (2000), directed by visionary John Fawcett, is a coming of age horror movie that explores themes of womanhood, growing up, and bodily changes through the iconc werewolf figure. Throughout my explorations, I aimed to tap into these themes of loss and fear through allusions, symbolism, and visual tone.
ABC Book of Nocturnals
This project for Independent Publishing emphasizes tactility, color, and contrast. In physically cutting out each illustration in segments and mounting it on cardboard, the final piece reinvents the children's board book idea with a craftier, DIY feel. Additionally, the subject matter of illumination in darkness adds a subversive look and tone to the book. The goal of this project was to create a subversive yet educational prototype which could teach children about wildlife through touch and glow in the dark colors.
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