Senior Thesis

The nature of my research is the connection between mental illness and fame, specifically the legendary grunge artists of the 90’s. Many of these artists suffered addiction, overdose, and severe mental illness resulting in suicide. My research explores themes in their music that paved the way to speak out on these issues, as well as foreshadowed many of their untimely deaths. It also explores the effect of fame and societal pressure on people who were already struggling to begin with. 

 

The exploration of mental illness in my grunge music video, “Paradise”, not only pays homage to the raw emotional depth and rebellious spirit of grunge history but also extends the genre's legacy by using its distinctive aesthetic and thematic elements to provide a contemporary commentary on mental health issues, thereby highlighting the enduring relevance and transformative power of grunge music as a medium for social and personal expression.

 

My research supplements the content of “Paradise”. Much respect and many thanks are given to the artist, Ryan Perdz, who allowed me to use his song in my thesis, as he provided me with the soundtrack and many inspiring lyrics to base my imagery off of. In this video, as an artist, I am able to explore my own struggles, and try to provide a visual representation of the issues portrayed in his song.