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bimoYeah, just what the world needs. Another bundle of loosely connected thoughts on the nature of fandom and the eternal question of what separates the self-proclaimed media fan from the non-fan. Let the wacky theorist begin... *g*
Intro: The Missing Chord
Regardless of their respective emphases, many theories about the key elements of fandom as a cultural community evolve around three basic roots: 1) a deep, heartfelt love for the source material, 2) the wish to exchange toughts and opinions with other like-minded people, 3) active or passive delight in creative expression.
Although I agree that these are indeed the central aspects of fannish life, two recent coincidences have made me ponder whether there might still be another essential element, running beneath the surface and holding the whole thing together as a warm, vibrant keynote; namely [insert overly pompous brass fanfare here *g*] the fan's subconcious wish for certain kind of continuity.
Key Stroke No 1: Taking Fictions Seriously. Ad Infinitum...
A couple of days ago,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
hmpf in her reply to cathexys' entry on fandom and fannish identity, came to the following conclusion:
"A large part of being a fan, for me, is to take fictions seriously, and appropriate them, and make something new of them. I have always 'lived' very much 'in' the books I read, and I have always, in my mind, expanded the stories, written fanfic, if you will. Fandom is a whole culture of people doing the same; people who *communicate* that way. People who speak my language. A whole culture of people to whom imagination is a crucial quality to cope with life."
In my opinion, this constitues a perfectly fitting and well-phrased general description of the fannish experience. However, I'd like point out that the interesting aspect here is not the love of the source material, but the wish to expand and exhaust the source via creative effort or discussion.
While for "non-fans" (meaning: people who might love the source as much as the next fan but would never think of participating in any kind of fannish activity)the fun usually ends exactly where the source ends (at the end of a tv show's final episode, a closing curtain, the last pages of Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings"), the fans continue. Muse, discuss, write, paint, photoshop. Long after the show has been cancelled. Until the end of time, so to speak.
Therefore it seems as if fannish activity is not only a complex and entertaining form of communication, but also a means of freeing the source from the boundaries of time; to eternalize it via the creative effort. As long as the fan fic is online, the posting board working and the zines circulating, the objects of our fannish adoration stay alive and with us; and, to a certain degree also continue to shape our perception of the world.
Key Stroke No 2: A Non-Fannish Piece of Fan Art
(Basically just a footnote to the leitmotif of my little song, but I think, it's a good one, because it not only gave me the idea for this essay but also illustrates my point quite nicely.)
My friendcavendish who, despite enjoying many a sci-fi series, still conciders himself to be merely an interested and critical observer from the fringes, has posted the most interesting piece of fan art.
"Ghosts of a Winter's Night". A simple but stunningly evocative black and white montage, inspired by the cancellation of Angel. Pale, transparent faces, almost completely dissolving into the real life background (a picture taken in Cavendish's hometown).
Not knowing what to do with the piece at first, I asked Cavendish for an explanation. Here is what he said: "Well, the show has been cancelled and soon the characters will be nothing but a memory, vague shadows at best, while life goes on without them."
I knew, I wouldn't agree with his answer ;-)
Intro: The Missing Chord
Regardless of their respective emphases, many theories about the key elements of fandom as a cultural community evolve around three basic roots: 1) a deep, heartfelt love for the source material, 2) the wish to exchange toughts and opinions with other like-minded people, 3) active or passive delight in creative expression.
Although I agree that these are indeed the central aspects of fannish life, two recent coincidences have made me ponder whether there might still be another essential element, running beneath the surface and holding the whole thing together as a warm, vibrant keynote; namely [insert overly pompous brass fanfare here *g*] the fan's subconcious wish for certain kind of continuity.
Key Stroke No 1: Taking Fictions Seriously. Ad Infinitum...
A couple of days ago,
hmpf in her reply to cathexys' entry on fandom and fannish identity, came to the following conclusion:"A large part of being a fan, for me, is to take fictions seriously, and appropriate them, and make something new of them. I have always 'lived' very much 'in' the books I read, and I have always, in my mind, expanded the stories, written fanfic, if you will. Fandom is a whole culture of people doing the same; people who *communicate* that way. People who speak my language. A whole culture of people to whom imagination is a crucial quality to cope with life."
In my opinion, this constitues a perfectly fitting and well-phrased general description of the fannish experience. However, I'd like point out that the interesting aspect here is not the love of the source material, but the wish to expand and exhaust the source via creative effort or discussion.
While for "non-fans" (meaning: people who might love the source as much as the next fan but would never think of participating in any kind of fannish activity)the fun usually ends exactly where the source ends (at the end of a tv show's final episode, a closing curtain, the last pages of Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings"), the fans continue. Muse, discuss, write, paint, photoshop. Long after the show has been cancelled. Until the end of time, so to speak.
Therefore it seems as if fannish activity is not only a complex and entertaining form of communication, but also a means of freeing the source from the boundaries of time; to eternalize it via the creative effort. As long as the fan fic is online, the posting board working and the zines circulating, the objects of our fannish adoration stay alive and with us; and, to a certain degree also continue to shape our perception of the world.
Key Stroke No 2: A Non-Fannish Piece of Fan Art
(Basically just a footnote to the leitmotif of my little song, but I think, it's a good one, because it not only gave me the idea for this essay but also illustrates my point quite nicely.)
My friend
cavendish who, despite enjoying many a sci-fi series, still conciders himself to be merely an interested and critical observer from the fringes, has posted the most interesting piece of fan art."Ghosts of a Winter's Night". A simple but stunningly evocative black and white montage, inspired by the cancellation of Angel. Pale, transparent faces, almost completely dissolving into the real life background (a picture taken in Cavendish's hometown).
Not knowing what to do with the piece at first, I asked Cavendish for an explanation. Here is what he said: "Well, the show has been cancelled and soon the characters will be nothing but a memory, vague shadows at best, while life goes on without them."
I knew, I wouldn't agree with his answer ;-)
