My project on the Midwest Goth scene archives a living history of radical self-expression, bodily autonomy, and unconditional acceptance in an unexpected landscape. It captures a community refusing to let its culture be digitized or diluted, opting instead for shared, physical, and unforgettable experiences. This project challenges the geographical and cultural stereotype of the American Midwest as a homogeneous monolith.

This community centered on Milwaukee’s "Goth Barge" a local DJ collective. While subcultures are increasingly flattened by sterile digital spaces and algorithmic trends, this community remains fiercely tactile. They anchor themselves in physical, visceral rituals—from summer boat parties drifting into Lake Michigan and an annual Goth Prom for Valentine's Day.

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