A Seattle museum has faced criticism for a Nirvana exhibition that refers to Kurt Cobain as having “un-alived himself.”
Cobain died by suicide on 4th April, 1994, at the age of 27.
Photos from the Museum of Pop Culture exhibit show a placard stating, “Kurt Cobain un-alived himself at 27,” and noting that other artists who died at the same age, such as Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, also met tragic ends.
Another placard explains the term “un-alive,” mentioning that it reflects how social media influences discussions on sensitive topics like mental health in the digital age.
The museum explains that the term “unalive” emerged online to describe death by suicide or homicide as a way to bypass social media algorithms that censor mental health and explicit content. The term has facilitated discussions about depression, anxiety, and suicide, particularly among young people.
In the exhibition, the Guest Curator used “unalive” to show respect for those who have lost their lives to mental health struggles and to encourage dialogue about mental health and language in society.
This choice has sparked criticism on social media, with some comparing it to George Orwell’s dystopian novel ‘1984’. Others have commented on the term’s use, questioning its appropriateness and suggesting that the museum should use straightforward language.
Former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic’s new band, The Bona Fide Band, recently performed Nirvana’s debut single ‘Love Buzz’ in Cobain’s hometown of Aberdeen, Washington.
Last year, Novoselic discussed the possibility of a reunion with the surviving Nirvana members, expressing that he would be open to it. He reflected on a period after Kurt Cobain’s death when he felt he would never play the band’s songs again, as part of his grieving process. Novoselic emphasized the importance of making any potential reunion special and being grateful for it. He noted that they would take advantage of the opportunity if it felt right, while continuing to remember Cobain and focus on their own projects in the meantime.
–Silviya.Y