Here’s a definition of the word that started the starkish movement;
Starkish (STAH-kish) – adjective
Definition: To exhibit a sense of proportion and good taste.
Synonyms: Bling, Maxamalistic, Paris Hilton
History: this word has emerged as a counter-cultural response to a perceived flood of visual, verbal and pop-cultural dross within urban societal frameworks.
Variants: Starkism, starkishly
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
What we’re trying to do.
Starkish, the word, has become a closely followed phenomenon, both in it's country of origin, New Zealand, and online. The word was first picked up and used by the media, including news presenters, radio dj's and even NZ Idol presenter, Dominic Bowden. It has been loosely defined by pop-cultural commentators as someone or something that 'posses a good sense of proportion and taste'.
Within a few weeks of its first media outing, the word has begun to pop up everywhere. Some of the more notable places include a t-shirt on online t-shirt store threadless, a clothing range by NZ label Moochi, a hilarious birth notice, and street stickers, the creator of which has chosen to stay anonymous.
The weblog set-up to track the emergence and debate around the word, thestarkishdebate.blogspot.com, have dubbed these appearances 'starkisms'. The site, whose creators report has been receiving hits from as far afield as Kuwait, has become a hub for all things starkish, as well as a place where people can discuss their interpretation of the word and predict its origins.
Most recently, the word has been the subject of critical media attention, as it was revealed that a PR Company were offering select media figures a trip to New York for the most creative use of the word. The New Zealand Herald expressed their outrage, as did media commentators like MediaWatch, airing on Radio NZ. In amongst all the ethical rumblings, some journalists still managed to have some fun with the controversial word, including Damien Christie of Public Address.
And here’s where this blog comes in. Any word with this kind cult following, media attention and online attention deserves to be in the dictionary. And why not the most respected one in the world; the Oxford English Dictionary.
Within a few weeks of its first media outing, the word has begun to pop up everywhere. Some of the more notable places include a t-shirt on online t-shirt store threadless, a clothing range by NZ label Moochi, a hilarious birth notice, and street stickers, the creator of which has chosen to stay anonymous.
The weblog set-up to track the emergence and debate around the word, thestarkishdebate.blogspot.com, have dubbed these appearances 'starkisms'. The site, whose creators report has been receiving hits from as far afield as Kuwait, has become a hub for all things starkish, as well as a place where people can discuss their interpretation of the word and predict its origins.
Most recently, the word has been the subject of critical media attention, as it was revealed that a PR Company were offering select media figures a trip to New York for the most creative use of the word. The New Zealand Herald expressed their outrage, as did media commentators like MediaWatch, airing on Radio NZ. In amongst all the ethical rumblings, some journalists still managed to have some fun with the controversial word, including Damien Christie of Public Address.
And here’s where this blog comes in. Any word with this kind cult following, media attention and online attention deserves to be in the dictionary. And why not the most respected one in the world; the Oxford English Dictionary.
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