The aesthetics of horror : exquisitely scary, absurd and gruesome

Abstract

Why can art be purposely horrid or repulsive, why might it seek to scare the audience, and can the audience be scared by that which it knows not to be true? Why is the audience interested in being scared or disgusted? These are the questions that this essay will seek to look at, through an analyses of the use of movement, set, costumes, light and music in the choreographies; The Metamorphosis (Pita, 2011) and Frankenstein (Scarlett, 2015). These case studies will be analysed and discussed with regard to their dexterity in presenting the scary, the absurd and the gruesome. This essay will discuss notions of Horror in art, as a changing aesthetic, dependent on society’s political, social, cultural climate as well as its scientific and technological advancements. In order to discuss Aesthetics, this essay will consider Hegel’s views in contrast with popular and sought after artworks, and propose theories brought forward by Fahy, Carroll and King as to why the audience is interested in experiencing fear, shock and disgust.