Everything you need to know about the “Dark Academia Aesthetic” Trend

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With over 800,000 posts on Instagram and countless accounts on TikTok, the Dark Academia aesthetic can no longer be ignored. Here, we make digital browsing easier for you and summarise it all in one spot.

What is Dark Academia?

Dark Academia is a subculture that is centered around the idea of liberal education and the pursuit of knowledge through reading and research. The aesthetic is characterized by an interest in classical literature, languages, architecture, art, poetry, and fashion from Western Europe. The members of this subculture, referred to as "Dark Academics," view education as something exciting and enjoyable, rather than mundane. The term "dark" in Dark Academia refers to the members' slight inclination towards the unusual and the illicit. This can be seen in their fascination with themes such as puzzles, murder, danger, cults and secret clubs, which sets this subculture apart from the more romantic version of academia known as "Light Academia." Additionally, some members might express their interest in the subculture through decoratively designed guns or perfectly placed bloodstains on clothing.

Origins and Background

Dark Academia first emerged on the blogging platform Tumblr in around 2015. At the time, it was primarily a book club-like community, centered around the 1992 novel "The Secret History" by US writer Donna Tartt. The novel follows a group of eccentric students at an elite university who isolate themselves to engage in intellectual discussions and become embroiled in a web of intrigue and secrets. As the years passed, Dark Academia evolved from an intellectually-focused community to a full-fledged lifestyle concept, with the emergence of other social media platforms. Members of this subculture began to use these platforms to express themselves through self-discovery and visual expression, as can be seen in the numerous TikTok videos and Instagram posts.

What are the Inspirations behind the Trend?

European cultures have a significant influence on the Dark Academia aesthetic. The Renaissance, Baroque, and Romanticism eras are particularly popular within the subculture, with an interest in artwork and sculptures that depict themes such as anatomy, classical and Christian mythology, and the transience of life (also known as the vanitas motif). Literature is also a prominent theme within the trend, with members of the subculture reading and writing in the style of authors like Lord Byron or Percy Shelley. Calligraphy, linguistics, and hand-written letters are also important elements of the subculture. Many members also use simple photo editing techniques to create posts featuring handwritten notes as backgrounds for quotes from literary classics, which can be found on Instagram under the hashtag #darkacademia.

 

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