Neo-Decadence is a contemporary artistic movement, primarily focused on literature, but which embraces other modes of creative activity. Though influenced by the aesthetic ideology of the Decadent movement, it might be seen as much as a reaction against other trends in contemporary literature as a resurrection of the original movement. In general, Neo-Decadence has more in common with avant-garde literary movements (Symbolism, Decadence and Futurism) than with genre fiction categories such as speculative fiction or horror, with which it is often compared.Drowning in Beauty: The Neo-Decadent Anthology, Snuggly Books, 2018
Origins
The term “Neo-Decadence” as it is related to the Neo-Decadent movement was first used in the cover copy of Brendan Connell’s 2005 novel The Translation of Father Torturo,The Translation of Father Torturo, Prime Books, 2005 in which the principal character is referred to as a “neo-decadent anti-hero.” In 2010, Connell published the "Manifesto of Neo-Decadence" at a website called gestaltmash.com. In 2018, Drowning in Beauty: The Neo-Decadent Anthology, was published, which included both the first manifesto, and a Second Manifesto of Neo-Decadence, written by Justin Isis.
Characteristics Neo-Decadence, which has also been called “Post-Naturalism,” according to Daniel Corrick, in his introduction to Drowning in Beauty: The Neo-Decadent Anthology, “involves a shift in aesthetic consciousness, an altered mental state which temporarily negates our awareness of whatever utilitarian social purposes an object or person might serve. Exploration of beauty and its meaning becomes the aim of consciousness.” In the collaborative essay “Against Neo-Passéism,” Neo-Decadence is defined in contrast to Neo-Passéism, which is described as “the unexamined artistic logic of capitalist realism,” a blanket term denoting various trends in contemporary art and writing, particularly those with a nostalgic nature or overreliance on popular culture tropes.Neo-Decadence: 12 Manifestos, Snuggly Books, 2021
Some Neo-Decadent authors, such as Damian Murphy, are practicing occultists and consider their work to be written in metaphysical opposition to what they perceive as the prevailing materialist assumptions of mainstream fiction.
Other preoccupations include fashion, self-absorption, obsession, drugs, cuisine, and excessive retro-gaming.
Notable works Single author 2005: The Translation of Father Torturo by Brendan Connell 2010: Metrophilias by Brendan Connell 2011: I Wonder What Human Flesh Tastes Like by Justin Isis 2016: Rule Dementia by Quentin S. Crisp 2017: Daughters of Apostasy by Damian Murphy 2020: Invisibility: A Manifesto by Audrey Szasz 2022: Heqet by Brendan Connell 2023: Surrender to a Stranger by Jeremy Reed Anthologies 2018 Drowning in Beauty: The Neo-Decadent Anthology edited by Justin Isis and Daniel Corrick 2020: The Neo-Decadent Cookbook edited by Brendan Connell and Justin Isis 2021: Neo-Decadence: 12 Manifestos edited by Justin Isis 2023: Neo-Decadence Evangelion edited by Justin Isis
References