The Great North Museum (formerly the Hancock) is currently running their Magic Worlds exhibition, dedicated to fantasy and illusion. It’s on until 22nd June but I decided to pop along before the school holidays in the hope it would be quiet (aside from a noisy group of schoolchildren, one of whom even questioned whether or not I was real, and persistently referred to me as “she” in a loud voice – seriously, are kids not taught manners any more). The main draw for me was the presence of the original Cottingley Fairies photos, which I’ve always wanted to see ‘in the flesh’.
The first room discusses famous fairy tales and fantasy stories, including CS Lewis’ Narnia books, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Snow White, Cinderella, and so on. It’s inspired me to read Grimm’s Fairy Tales at long last – I think I’ve only read them in abridged form so far, and it’d be good to read them ‘in full.
The final room focuses on fairies, looking at fairies in art, and the famous Cottingley photos. I find it fascinating that until the Victorian era, fairies were considered mischievous or even treacherous. It was only during the nineteenth century that they were turned into the pudgy little darlings that dwell in flowers, or grant wishes. Obviously my favourite fairy has always been the Mistress of All Evil, Maleficent, and I was sad not to see her represented here, but I carry her with me always. Yes, I find her quite inspirational, as a strong, powerful woman in a 1950s film, and I still think the King and Queen should have invited her to the christening – imagine what kind of gift Aurora might have received if Maleficent hadn’t been annoyed?!
I write a lot of Gothic horror and I’m studying set design in paranormal horror films, and while horror is its own genre, it still lies at the fantasy end of the spectrum. So what’s my fascination with fantasy and magic? I’ve written before about the use of magical systems in fiction, but I think both magic and fantasy are very important to the imagination as a whole. True, some might argue that they’re escapist, and therefore problematic because escapism implies a movement away from issues that need to be solved. If you’re daydreaming about swashbuckling pirates during a meeting at work then you’re not focussing on finding a job that won’t bore you as much. However I think fantasy is something we should engage with – for three main reasons.
2) Fantasy allows you to consider alternatives to a given situation. It’s by wishing things were different that you seek ways to make it happen. True, I’m unlikely to find a way into London Below, but if I’m that desperate to change my life, I might look at practical things I can do.
3) Fantasy also allows for metaphor and allegory, meaning that wider concerns can be addressed in a more accessible way, potentially gaining a larger audience for political or social issues.
Do you like fantasy, or magic? Do you enjoy it for the escapism, or because you just think elves are cool?
Reading a fantasy story is like taking a mini-vacation, to me. The whole point *is* the escape, however temporary and imaginary, to a place where you can be the hero (or the villain if that suits you better). Epic fantasy especially pits ordinary people against powerful foes, planting that idea in the reader’s head that they might yet overcome with a little luck, courage, and divine intervention. 😉
Exactly! I love reading fantasy – though I’d argue even historical fiction is in the category because while the world-building is based on fact, it’s still a different world I’ll never ordinarily be able to enter. I think I like epic fantasy again for the world-building, but I think it’s important to be able to visualise new places just based on a description.
I think it is vital to “escape” into other realms at some point in our days. We need the break from the constant barrage of reality. Not everyone may like magic or horror but we still should encourage daydreaming because using our creativity makes us well rounded individuals.
I think that’s the beauty of fantasy – it covers such a broad spectrum, you don’t need to stick to something obvious like Tolkien – I argue that even historical fiction provides a good workout for the imagination!
Love this post and have just stumbled it for you 🙂 I’m really interested in the Cottingly Fairie and the story around it so would love to see the exhibition. I lov the way that in both Victorian and Elizabethan literature the concepts of magic are given more allowance to exist, it does exist in modern books a bit but it does get labeled up as Magic Realism rather than just ‘fiction’ which I think is maybe a bit sad? Surely all stories should be a bit magical?!
Apparently it’s a touring exhibition so hopefully it’s end up near you!
I suppose the scientific revolution put paid to any idea of magic being part of everyday life. Yet magic is often seen as being something that’s just for little kids – but if you put a Norse demi-god in an action film he becomes a superhero? Madness!
I wish this was closer because I would love to go, I love fantasy and magic more for escapism but I can dream about being an Elf! I’m constantly reading about fairy tales and legends, of to look at the website, who knows maybe it will travel near me!
Hannah
x
Apparently it’s a touring exhibition in conjunction with the V&A’s Museum of Childhood so hopefully it’ll end up near you!
I’m not sure I’d like to be an Elf…but I’d love to be a witch like in Harry Potter!
As a fan of all things Arthur Conan Doyle (even when he made a mistake), I love the story behind the Cottingley photos.
It’s funny — I never consider myself much of a fantasy fan, but when I look back at the books I’ve read, the genre is well represented. I prefer stuff with strong roots in actual magical history (like The Necromancer’s Apprentice, actually).
Fantasy is partially escapism, but it’s also grounding, in that so much of the stories turn on accepting that the conventional wisdom may be wrong, or at least that there are multiple truths/viewpoints. Not a bad thing to be reminded of at all.
I use the Cottingley photos when I’m teaching Contextual Studies, so students know that dupes existed well before Photoshop was even dreamed of!
I think fantasy is a funny one because think of all the things that have been considered ‘magic’ but are now considered totally normal and natural because science has explained them. They’re still fantastical…even if they are now rational.