Abstract

Florida State University, like many other colleges in the US, is known to have an active nightlife scene and is often referred to as a “party school.” Frequent partying, drinking, “pregaming,” and clubbing are often entwined with participation in social groups and understood as a staple of youth culture, defining the “college experience.” From viral videos featured on @barstoolfsu and the social currency of drinking stories to unwritten dress codes and theme nights, the conventions of FSU nightclub culture are as coded as they are ubiquitous. Using crowded collage compositions, neon pigments, and glitter, my paintings echo the “anything goes” attitude of the setting. Synthetic colors and materials compounded with pop culture easter eggs and wild costumes illustrate the pervasive ideas of this sect of youth culture. Varied background interactions compose a greater nuanced narrative within the idealized chaos of the scene. Though the notions of freedom, homosocial bonding, and the creation of a social identity demonstrated by popular collegiate culture are matched by equal and opposite threats, the allure of the party scene keeps participants returning. With its unique visual language, the Florida State nightclub scene functions as a cult-like venue for the shared ideals of reckless abandon and euphoria. This series of narrative paintings examines the popular mythology surrounding the collegiate nightclub scene, depicting the idiosyncrasies of this ritual of modern youth culture.

Presentation Materials