From: salley@niktow.canisius.edu (David Salley)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Authenticity vs. fantasy (long)
Summary: One quick story ;-)
Date: 22 Nov 92 10:23:11 GMT
Distribution: world, na
Organization: Canisius College, Buffalo NY. 14208

Ellisif writes:
> Thomas Ignatius Perigrinus writes of being ignored and misunderstood when
> he set up a bench and worked wood in a period style at an event.
> 
> My lord, I am somewhat puzzled by the reaction you got as well.  I have been
> to events in the East and Middle where people have been quietly practicing
> some craft in a period or near-period manner, and while they don't draw
> as many people as one would hope, many of the people who do approach the 
> person seem much more interested, even though the person is not a merchant.

As a jack-of-all-trades, I can attest to this.  Whenever I bring something
to work on to an event; scroll, chainmail, leatherwork, sewing, embroidery,
etc. three to four people will collect to watch.  Local Calligraphers 
routinely carry stick-a-note pads in their calligraphy kits to cover any 
giveaway artwork on an award scroll that they work on at events.  By giveaway
art, I mean anything that identifies the recipient of the award, e.g. 
registered arms, portrait, etc.

Quick story: At one event, I was quietly sitting in the corner working on
chainmail.  Three chirurgeons, who were utterly bored (Thank goodness!),
drifted over to watch.  I made a remark to the effect that not only didn't
people trust me with pointy things, now I couldn't even be trusted with
blunt pliers ;-) and thought nothing further of it.  During the feast, a
number of friends came over to ask if I was okay now, or feeling better.
It seems that people saw three chirurgeons (with baldrics!) standing over
someone sitting on the floor and gave them a wide berth to let _them_ work! ;-)

One piece of advice: Thomas indicated he was willing to be watched.  Alison
pointed out that others may be working to finish an item before court.  If
you wish to watch an artist working, wait for a pause point, (calligrapher
lifting paintbrush from paper or equivalent), say 'excuse me' if they haven't
noticed you yet, and *ask* if you may watch.  If they say no, LEAVE!  It may
be someone working to get something done in time and you may be making them
nervous.  Eastern royalty usually let calligraphers hide in the royalty
room, but this isn't always the case.

> And, of course, many musicians who play quietly in a corner
> will attract small crowds, too -- especially if they play something less
> common than recorder or guitar.  (I don't know why harps are such magnets, 
> especially given how common they are in the SCA, but they are.  The hammer 
> dulcimer, definitely uncommon, tends to attract a lot of people who want 
> to know "just what is that thing, anyway?".)

Quick!  Name a fantasy novel where the protagonist is a musician.  What
instrument does s/he play?  Harps are the only instrument which runs the
entire gauntlet from excruciatingly-correct-authenticity-mavin to fantasy-elf-
wanna-be.  Recorders and dulcimers are what-is-its and guitars don't 'feel'
medieval.  And you don't have to gather 'round to hear bagpipes! ;-) ;-)

                                                       - Dagonell

SCA Persona : Lord Dagonell Collingwood of Emerald Lake, CSC, CK, CTr
Habitat	    : East Kingdom, AEthelmearc Principality, Rhydderich Hael Barony
Disclaimer  : A society that needs disclaimers has too many lawyers.
Internet    : salley@niktow.cs.canisius.edu
USnail-net  : David P. Salley, 136 Shepard Street, Buffalo, New York 14212-2029
Pirates of the Carribean Event - Dec 12 - Rhydderich Hael - Write for details.
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca