by Editor
on October 8, 2014
Anonymous Chalk Drawing Of Creepypasta Character Slenderman. Photo:MDL70
Creepy Pastas—AKA Contemporary Urban Ghost Lore
Ghost stories have taken a number of different forms over the centuries. Here in early 21st Century America, the newest incarnation is the “creepypasta,” a scary tale that circulates on the internet. Creepypastas usually originate among amateur storytellers who are fascinated by the supernatural; often these writers have been influenced by popular horror movies and online games. Creepypasta characters and other story elements frequently are shared and recycled among people who create them.
As with any creative undertaking practiced by large numbers of enthusiasts rather than by professionals, quality among creepypastas varies widely. Some are well written; many are not. Some are entertaining, while a sizable percentage suffer from predictability. [continue reading…]
by Editor
on October 5, 2014
Paul Gauguin’s Tahitian Painting “The Spirit Of The Dead Keep Watch”
Paul Gauguin’s Tahitian Ghost Story On Canvas
French post-impressionist painter Paul Gauguin worked in Tahiti from 1891 to 1893 and then returned to Paris with a trove of canvases. Among them was The Spirit of the Dead Watching, or The Spirit of the Dead Keep Watch, which was inspired by an uncanny event Gauguin said he experienced with his 14-year-old Tahitian mistress. According to the artist, he came home late one night to find the girl nearly out of her mind with fright at what she believed to be the presence of a ghost in their house. Afterward, Gauguin decided to paint the scene more or less as his lover had described it, with the greenish spirit of an old woman sitting woodenly nearby as the girl lay on the bed, petrified with fright.
Gauguin reported that he chose his colors specifically to recreate the girl’s feeling of dread: Purple on the wall for its unsettling effect, the glowing yellow of the bedclothes and the eyes of the ghost for its eeriness, and of course the ghastly, unnatural complexion of the uninvited spirit. [continue reading…]
by Editor
on October 2, 2014
Autumn’s Spirit
Through windows, movement
I think of my father’s ghost
But it’s falling leaves
—pg
by Editor
on September 29, 2014
Do Ghosts Exist Only In Our Minds?
More Folks Than You Might Think Have Seen A Ghost
Personal encounters with the supernatural are surprisingly common among people in cultures around the world. In fact, an impressive portion of us have had a personal experience with a spook. In the majority of cases, the ghosts are those of departed loved ones, including pets. But a significant number of reported paranormal events involve the disembodied spirits of complete strangers.
In addition, according to a roundup of public polling results published in Psychology Today, belief in ghosts among Americans almost tripled between 1978 and 2005. [continue reading…]
