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The Æthelmearc Gazette

~ Covering the Kingdom of Æthelmearc of the SCA

The Æthelmearc Gazette

Tag Archives: A&S Competitions

Behind the Scenes: Ishiyama Gen’tarou Yori’i talks about his VQPT entry

05 Friday Jun 2020

Posted by aethgazette in A&S Faire, Arts & Sciences, Research

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A&S Competitions, Queen's Prize Tourney, virtual A&S

One of the first artisans to enter, Shonagon Ishiyama Gen’tarou Yori’i graced our Virtual Queens Prize Tourney with his beautiful project. His entry “the Kyousoku Arm Rest” looks intriguing, and just asks to learn more about it! As we do not have the ability to converse with Shonagon Ishiyama face to face, the Virtual Queens Prize Tourney offers the opportunity to fawn over images and read the documentation right there on the Kingdom Ministry of Arts & Sciences website – even to leave feedback! And to learn a little more about the artisan and their thoughts behind their entry, the organizers decided to broaden our traditional entry of object and documentation with personal interviews.

kyousoku-finished

“Kyousoku” Arm Rest by Ishiyama-shi-i Gen’tarou Yori’ie: A piece of medieval Japanese furniture, made from wood using entirely hand tools similar to those that were available in period, finished in multiple polished layers of artificial lacquer, and decorated in the hira-maki-e (gold paint) style with a karkusa pattern.

Could you tell me a little about you, your persona. Is your entry something your persona would use?

My persona is a late period noble of the “kuge” courtier class. (As opposed to the “buke” warrior class.) The fiefdom of the Ishiyama clan contained a very famous temple (Ishiyama-dera), which was home to some warrior monks who made quite a bit of trouble for the Shogun. It is my conceit that that, as oldest son (“gen’tarou”) of the family, Ishiyama Yori’ie has been summoned to the capital to serve as a court representative of his family and as a hostage to assure their loyalty. He would have been assigned a position in the bureaucracy, but not had much actual work to do. So, Ishiyama took an interest in the crafts of the capital, with an eye toward bringing ideas for trade goods home when it was time for him to take over the family.

By this time in Japanese history, most of the furniture that was based on Chinese culture was no longer used. Japan had evolved into a floor-seated culture, and developed its own furniture to accommodate the new style. In both his work time in the palace and his leisure time at home, Ishiyama would have spent a lot of time sitting while interacting
with others, writing notes on his studies, and writing home to communicate with his family. This does get to be tiring, and I believe he would have had a kyousoku arm rest of this type to support him. The joinery of the legs is left unglued, so it can be disassembled and carried more easily by a servant if he traveled to visit another or went home to visit his family.

What inspired you to make your entry?

Most of my work in the SCA is inspired by desire. I see something, and the Ishiyama part of me says, “I want one.” Even in Japan, most of these things can be difficult to buy, and certainly very expensive. If I want it, I have to make it. If this takes figuring out a good method, learning new skills, or deciding on substitute materials, this is the nature of the challenges I pursue in the SCA.

I’d seen these arm rests in scrolls, books, and movies; and some other SCAdians had made some. This was enough to get “kyousoku arm rest” onto my to-do list. I asked a Japanese woodworking teacher the best way to do the sliding dovetail joinery, and after learning about the taper I had all of the information I needed to get started.This project was a good opportunity to be a stickler about doing all of the work by hand.

What is your intention with your entry? Are you looking forward to start putting your entry to good use, and if so, how could we envision this? Or is it intended as a gift, or a general household item?

I plan to use this arm rest at events, mostly at Pennsic. I already used it a bit in my vigil tent. I may make more of them in the future, but maybe not entirely by hand, and maybe not with the embellishments.

Did the entry throw up any unexpected issues? Or did it go exactly as expected, and what would you contribute to this smooth sailing?

The gold paint I used for the “maki-e” embellishment was not nearly sticky enough. I had polished the black finish very smooth, and then applied all the gold paint. I found that the gold paint was too easy to rub off, but trying to top-coat smeared the paint. I cleaned up the smears as well as I could, repainted the damaged designs, and sprayed the project with clear shellac to seal it. Then, I smoothed that with abrasives before applying several coats of clear lacquer to create a smooth, resilient, top surface. This added about a year to the process while I got over my frustration and waited for it to get warm enough
outside to proceed with finishing.

Did you learn something specific, something you would do differently, or would recommend others to do again?

In addition to the sliding dovetails, I learned how to do the “karakusa” arabesque scrollwork by hand. This gets to be a lot of fun! I wouldn’t use this paint again, though. In the future, I would probably mix metallic powder into clear finish for a more resilient design. In period, they would have used lacquer, which takes weeks to fully cure. Period technique would be to sprinkle powdered metal directly onto the wet lacquer. Sounds messy to me.

What motivated you to enter the Virtual Queens Prize Tourney?

I entered the tourney because I had already intended to show this project in a competition or display, now that it was done. I had taught a class on kyousoku and how to make them, so I had the material assembled for documentation. With Ice Dragon and War Practice cancelled, I was not sure when I’d get a chance to show this off. When the tourney was announced, I realized I was all set to enter!

Thank you, Shonagon Ishiyama Gen’tarou Yori’i, for sharing your wonderful work with our Kingdom’s artisans and populace!

If you would like to see Shonagon Ishiyama’s entry, follow this link. And if you liked his work, have a question to ask, or a tip to share – please leave your comments with his entry! You can “Leave a Reply” at the bottom of the entry’s page. We have four more weeks to peruse, enjoy and interact with the entrants. Make use of the opportunity, if you can!

Would you like to enter your own project? The deadline for entering the Virtual Queens Prize Tourney is June 30th, and you can find all you need to know on how to enter on the KMOAS website.

 

 

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Enter the Virtual Queen’s Prize Tourney!

11 Monday May 2020

Posted by aethgazette in A&S Competition and Display, A&S Faire, Arts & Sciences

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A&S Competitions, Virtual A&S Faire

Their Sylvan Majesties King Maynard von dem Steine and Queen Liadain ni Dheirdre Chaohamnaigh are pleased to announce the Arts & Sciences Virtual Queen’s Prize Tourney – an event we don’t need to worry about canceling! Use our web form to enter after reading the details below.

The Virtual Queen’s Prize Tourney will be an A&S-Faire-meets-the-Ice-Dragon-Pentathlon: the entries are publicly shared over a two-month period on this site. The general populace is encouraged to show their appreciation and interest, as if going to the A&S Faire, asking questions and giving constructive feedback to the individual entrants.

Unlike the A&S Faire, where the entrant is present and can share the project information face to face, documentation for our Virtual Tourney is more akin to entering in the Ice Dragon Pentathlon but without the scoring aspect.

To comment on an entry and see its full details, documentation, and supporting images, click its title or image below. All entries and comments will be approved before being published.

kyousoku-finished

Virtual Queen’s Prize Tourney entry “Kyousoku” Arm Rest
by Ishiyama-shi-i Gen’tarou Yori’ie

Due to the nature of virtual judging, and the practicality and legality of shipping foodstuffs and alcohol, anything that needs to be sniffed, tasted, or quaffed for proper judging is unfortunately not eligible. Don’t get us wrong – we really would not mind having consumables shipped to us in this time of need! But we don’t want you to break the law either. That being said, we totally encourage and accept research-paper entries in these areas!

To show our appreciation to those artisans who go the extra mile to document their projects in such depth and detail that not having them in hand does not seem a handicap, the Kingdom Office of Arts & Sciences will sponsor an extra prize for documentation that went above and beyond the usual. This could include, but is not limited to, detailed photo journals, video journals, illustrations, blueprints, step-by-step instructions – anything to help enhance our virtual experience of your fabulous project!

The challenge will run until the last day of June. At the deadline, all submissions will be collected and presented to the royalty for their enjoyment and judgement. From this plethora of the best our Sylvan Kingdom has to offer, our Royal Majesty will choose her favorite entry.

Any gentle interested in participating in the arts & sciences is welcome to enter, whether they are brand-new artisans, or seasoned Laurels. We also welcome multiple entries as well as group entries. If you feel inspired to create it, we will take it – and share your inspiration across our Sylvan Kingdom!

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Virtual Queen’s Prize Tourney entry “Axeman vs Centaur” scroll by Caleb Reynolds

But what about when normal life starts up again?

Rest assured, we will ask organizers of other kingdom-wide competitions and displays to keep the virtual entries eligible for entering in their events. Mistress Cori, the coordinator of the Ice Dragon Pentathlon, has already pledged to extend the completion deadline for the 2021 Ice Dragon Pentathlon to 24 months prior to entering, and that all Virtual Tourney entries are welcome, whether they won a prize or not.

Basically, entering in the Virtual Tourney this year gives you a completed project for next year’s Pent! We also pledge that any entry in the Virtual Tourney will remain fully eligible for entry in this fall’s Kingdom A&S Championship.

How do I enter? Complete and submit our online form.

Their Sylvan Majesties and the Kingdom Office of Arts & Sciences are very much looking forward to seeing what our kingdom has to offer! We all hope this challenge will offer inspiration, and a welcome distraction from these current difficult times.

Yours in service,

Hrólfr and Elska á Fjárfelli
KMoAS

The Kingdom of Æthelmearc Arts & Sciences Ministry website
Virtual Queen’s Prize Tourney webpage
Virtual Queen’s Prize Tourney Entry Form

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The Ice Dragon A&S Pent is roaring to go!

26 Sunday Jan 2020

Posted by aethgazette in Arts & Sciences, Competitions

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A&S, A&S Competitions, Ice Dragon Pent

By Elska á Fjárfelli, Æthelmearc Gazette editor

The organizers of the Ice Dragon Arts & Sciences competition are proud to announce the Pent website is live! We worked around the clock this winter to get you the information you need ahead of time. Anyone interested in participating should take a little look-see, especially since we plan to have the different judging criteria available beforehand as well. The Material Culture judging criteria is already available here – it is our intention to have all forms available straight from the Pent website in the next week or two.

No more talking, take me to the Pent site NOW, please!

Have you heard of the Pent but are not quite sure what it is? The Pentathlon, often shortened to the Pent, has been around since the second Festival of the Passing of the Ice Dragon. First started as a local Arts & Sciences competition it quickly grew to a competition with Kingdom impact. But don’t let that intimidate you! This competition is for young and old, for the beginner and the accomplished, and even for the competing, and the artisan more interested in Display. There will be a dedicated Display table, as well as a Misfit table, for those projects that didn’t quite do what they were supposed to do… as we all knows happens to the best of us!

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The costuming section of the 2019 Ice Dragon Arts & Sciences Pentathlon.

The Pent truly has something for everyone! And there might even be the opportunity for a little Viking Raiding, as traditionally the Barony of the Rhydderich Hael pitches in to donate gifts for each category winner! Now that would be something to look forward to after a busy day of shopping, spectating, fighting, and perusing your fellow artisan Pent entries.

The Pent organizers wish you a productive winter season, and look forward to your project entries. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Pent Coordinator at IDPentGuy AT gmail DOT com.

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Bards of Æthelmearc Perform at Kingdom 12th Night

16 Thursday Jan 2020

Posted by aethgazette in Arts & Sciences, Bardic, Competitions

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A&S Competitions, Bardic arts, Music

By Elska á Fjárfelli, Æthelmearc Gazette editor.

Over a dozen bards performed their best in the wonderful acoustic Masonic Temple hall that served as a beautiful medieval backdrop to their different performances at Kingdom Twelfth Night in St. Swithin’s Bog.

The hall was well filled and I felt honored to be one of spectators present at this special event. Hersir Torvaldr Torgarson had organized this years’ competition after winning the honor of representing the Bardic Arts for Æthelmearc last year and it was quite the show. Each entrant could choose to perform either something about Æthelmearc or what they thought of as their best work. This was my first Bards of the Sylvan Kingdom Championship, and if this is what happens each year I sure have been missing out! As I quite enjoyed the different performances, I thought perhaps you would to, so I made a list of who did what for you to see what you missed… Enjoy, and perhaps we’ll see each other at next years’ event, organized by the newly minted Sylvan Bard Éadaoin Ruadh.

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Hersir Thorvaldr welcoming all entrants and spectators.

Hersir Thorvaldr opened the competition after a short welcome to everyone competing and otherwise with a moving piece he wrote himself called the “Ballad of the Lonely Norseman.” Visit the Book of Faces post for the lyrics, or see the Moving Pictures here (Melody and lyrics by Thorvaldr, instrumental by Valadonis Stareagle)

Then THL Magge Illefoster, a Sylvan Bard of the past herself, blessed us with a wonderful rendition of the “Rose of Arindale” which she wrote in honor of Queen Gabrielle, as she was once again present to judge those true and worthy.
For more on the song click here

Kicking off the competition was Master Dagonell the Juggler, who performed “Paintin’ Flowers” as a filk to “Countin’ Flowers” by The Statler Brothers. Dagonell dedicated the song to Baroness Ekat, for putting the earworm in his head in the first place!
Visit the Book of Faces post for the lyrics

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A hard act to follow, Bran o’Labradha performs “Perche dolce caro bene” with bellowed gusto!

A most surprising performance was given by Bran o’Labradha with “Perche dolce caro bene” – quite singularly my favorite, but then I do have a weak spot for classical guitar. Singing both the male and female parts, in Italian, while accompanying himself by guitar, was fantastic, even if the experience left Bran a wee bit shaken!

Master William de Montegilt read his original poem, “Something about Æthelmearc.”

Count Jehan de la Marche recited the Shakespearean speeches between Hotspur and Falstaff, both from Henry IV part 1, with a little help from His Royal Highness Prince Maynard von dem Steine.

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Lord Éadaoin Ruadh performances “Towton’ s Creek,“

Lord Éadaoin Ruadh stole the day with his performance of a song called “Towton’ s Creek,” his filked version of “The Green Fields of France,” to cover the Battle of Towton from the War of the Roses, and which had the spectators humming along with him.

THL Alianora Bronhulle sang with a song “Raise your glass (to the Lady fierce and true)” – a fun song that made us all chuckle out loud!

Keris Silber sang the beautiful “My Sylvan Home.”
Visit the Book of Faces post for the lyrics

Maighstir Liam Macant Saoir did a strong rendition of his original piece, “Sylvan Soldiers Song,” 

Lady Nicola Beese had us grinning with “Fortune my Foe,” a song about angst, and who does angst better than the Elizabethans, Lady Nicola implored us!

And Wulfflaed on Hehstaldes closed the performance with a heart-warming rendition of the traditional holiday song Oh, Tannenbaum, in German.

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Count Jehan de la Marche enthusiastically reciting the speeches between Hotspur and Falstaff, with help from His Royal Highness Prince Maynard von dem Steine.

Hersir Torvaldr Torgarson then thanked all the entrants for their passion for the bardic arts, and for making the task in choosing his successor so difficult. Vivant, all bards of Æthelmearc!

Interested in the Bardic Arts?
Follow the bards on the Book of Faces at the College of Æthelmearc bards

All photography by Tristyn (Jean H. Keene), thank you!

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A&S Event Token Challenge

08 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by aethgazette in Arts & Sciences, Competitions, Event Announcements & Updates

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A&S Competitions, AEthelmearc Aecademy, Site Tokens

Site token

The site token from the Coronation of Byron and Ariella, designed by Master Duncan Blackwater. 

Greetings to the Populace artisans of Æthelmearc from THL Eleanore Godwin, Kingdom Deputy A&S Minister:

Announcing a new A&S challenge for the artisans of the Kingdom: A one-year long Event Token Competition, running from Spring Æcademy 2019 to Spring Æcademy 2020.

How many event tokens have you kept over the years because they are great memories or just beautiful? Well, we want groups to up their game and put some thought into their event tokens!

So, how does one participate, you ask? Volunteer to make your group’s tokens for an event!

First: every group can have at least one entry, and as many as three!

Second: groups have from June 15, 2019 Spring Æcademy to Spring (June date to be announced) Æcademy 2020 to make tokens for their events and present their entries for the competition at Spring Æcademy 2020.

Divisions are :

1. Kingdom Event tokens
2. All Other Events tokens

The reason for this is that the Kingdom events often have a higher budget for tokens, whereas non-kingdom events do not.

Categories are:

A. Period tokens
B. Useful tokens
C. Creative tokens

Each group may have one entry in each category, for a max of three total entries. One token, one category.

So, if your group hosted a Kingdom event, the token from that event would be put in the Kingdom Event token division, in one of the three categories (Period, Useful, or Creative). If your group hosted a regular event, the token for that event can be entered in one of the #2. All Other Events tokens divisions categories, A, B, or C. If your group held three regular events in the time frame, your group gets to enter three different tokens in three different categories!

If your group held one Kingdom event, the token for that gets to be entered into the Kingdom division in one of the three categories. Say your group also held two regular event; those two tokens would be entered in the All Other Events token Division in two of the three categories for a total of 3 entries!

I think this will be an exciting year for the artisans of Æthelmearc, and I look forward to seeing all the entries at Spring Æcademy next Spring!

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A&S Competitions and Critiques: Some Thoughts and Reminders

07 Wednesday Mar 2018

Posted by aethgazette in Arts & Sciences, Costuming, Fiber Arts

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

A&S competition, A&S Competitions

By Mistress Alfrun Ketta.

Mistress Alfrun, photo by THL Amie Sparrow

I don’t generally like doing A&S competitions in the SCA.

By that I mean that they are not my thing to do − but I do believe that for some people they provide the drive to finish work or they provide valuable impartial feedback that they might not get elsewhere.

I would personally rather display than compete, and I would rather teach than display, but every now and then I do opt do toss something out into the ring to see what happens. 

I think it is valuable to our members to continue to offer opportunities to compete, but we also need to remember that competing is not a requirement, and people who are uncomfortable with competing in the arts should never feel compelled to do so.

One of my best competition experiences was a couple of years ago, when I participated in the Persona Pentathlon in Atlantia’s Kingdom Arts & Sciences Faire.  My experience was so profound that I actually would really recommend a venue like this for those who are seeking to push their boundaries.  The competition has you create five items that would have belonged to one historic persona, and you choose your categories from a list of options.  Most artisans work easily in a couple fields, but often have to learn something new to make the final entry.

My entries were clothing, weaving, spinning, food, and research. I got a near-perfect score on one item and a fairly low score on another. The one I got the lowest score on was the one I was most deeply invested in, but I was completely okay with receiving that score.

Why? Because the conversations that I had surrounding it were still positive. I was told that the research was very valuable to the SCA. The reality is that item just did not well fit the categories for the competition and was appropriately scored as such. 

I still had a wonderful time discussing that with people who came to the table, and that is what was important.  That, not some score on a piece of paper, is what made entering that particular item worth while.

What else made even that experience positive, despite that one score? I know how to separate myself from my work, and listen when someone is giving me feedback.

That is a skill that every artisan needs to really take time to nurture. Distance yourself, be open to the criticism, allow yourself to believe that no one is there to deliberately crush your world, and take the advice given and grow from it. Remember that someone took the time out of their day, out of their event, to weigh in on your work.

Most often, the judges are there because they want you to grow as an artisan.  It is their goal to aid you on that journey and learning to listen to critique with that in mind can change the entire competition experience.  Not everyone is an expert at giving advice, but it you listen to them with the idea that they truly have no ill-will towards you or your work, a great deal more can be taken away from the experience than if one gets defensive from the start. 

Even the best mentor or judge out there might occasionally give poor advice, or they might be referencing older research, or they might just be wrong about something.  You can absolutely choose not to take that advice, but make sure that it is not a knee-jerk reaction on your own part.  It is always okay to ask for resources or clarification.  Likewise, it is okay to offer your own resources and clarification, but do so with grace.  It is also perfectly okay, at the end of the day, to thank the person for their comments and just move on.

During a more recent conversation about critique, Baroness Kateryne of Hindscroft, OL, pointed out that a middle score in a competition is not actually a bad score.  The work is decent, it has room for growth, but it is not “bad.” If the art is fairly new for you, this can actually be a good score to see, as it shows you are on the right track and hopefully the feedback will allow you to take it to the next level when you opt to compete again.

One of the other benefits of entering this specific competition is that I had some very good one-on-one time with the judges. I highly encourage artisans who do want to compete to seek out those competitions that offer that experience.

Allowing you to answer questions as part of the process lets you show your knowledge without them having to read through a tome of documentation (which, let’s face it, can be very, very hard to do at events). It allows for an exchange of ideas as well, something you will not get with a just a take-home judging form.  It helps the entrant understand why a score was low and what could be done to raise it the next time.  I know Æthelmearc has been offering more opportunities for competitions like this, as well as the ability to get feedback in a competition-free environment.  I cannot recommend enough that newer artisans take advantage of these opportunities.

The final reminder that I would like to leave here is that art takes time.  Fabulous art takes an exceptional amount of time. Take your time, learn about the art, the items, and the people that used them.  Applying context (in terms of social status, occupation, or the lifestyle of the owner) to an object can offer ways to perfect and item or fill in the blanks in the hows/whats/whys that might be missing in the tangible evidence.  Enjoy the excitement that comes with exploring an art and growing as an artisan.

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A&S Consultation Tables: Visit One at An Event Near You Soon!

06 Saturday Jan 2018

Posted by aethgazette in Arts & Sciences, Officer Announcements

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A&S Competitions, A&S consultation, Rubrics

From THL Renata Rouge, new Kingdom Minister of A&S:

I have started organizing A&S consultation tables for various events here in Æthelmearc. The first one will be at College of Three Ravens in Thescorre, February 24th, 2017. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

An A&S Consultation Table is a chance for artisans to get a personal walk-through of the kingdom rubrics or judging process that we have been using at events such as A&S Champions and A&S Faire.

The purpose is to allow artisans a chance to talk to experienced judges, to see what they look for, what the format consists of, how rubrics work, and also to give potential judges a chance to discuss the rubrics and what is expected of a judge.

It is our hope that we can open a dialogue that will encourage consistency in judging and lessen the intimidation and mystique associated with entering A&S competitions.

Even if you never plan to enter A&S Champions or A&S Faire, you can use this information as opportunities for feedback. Plus, you have the chance to talk to judges outside of a competition and walk through their thought process as they use the rubrics.

We welcome experienced judges to volunteer for this. Want to help? Let us know! You’re who is going to help make these A&S Consultation Tables successful.

Never judged before and want to learn? Let us know. You can be a shadow judge. We’d welcome the company. Even an artisan can shadow judge, to get a better understanding of the process.

Our goals are:

  1. Set expectations for upcoming A&S competitions while also helping people who do not want to compete but do focus on historical accuracy
  2. Help artisans understand those expectations and create transparency
  3. Train more judges
  4. Build consistency in that feedback

We think that these goals foster learning and teaching throughout the year.
We also hope that this will make the judging experience more constructive and more enjoyable.

For more information, see the kingdom A&S website here.

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Arts & Sciences at Harvest Raid

24 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by aethgazette in Arts & Sciences, Cooking, Fiber Arts, Food, Scribal

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A&S Competitions, Harvest Raid, Heronter

By Signora Ginevra Isabetta del Dolce

Sonnet 1

Whilst clouds did cover all the land with rain
Within our halls delights could scarcely hide
The arts of Æthelmearc bore bright refrain
And with their joyous leisure changed the sky
A fretted griffin did Rhiannon bring
To meet with pleasure paints which Jocelyn dared
Hrolfr wove red threads the Queen’s own dress to ring
And Kate and Ginny each a scroll prepared
Here Elska’s work like dragon’s treasured cave:
We tasted mead and conserve; belt we eyed
Eadaoin’s wassail gave us the drink we crave
Fearghus this hoard within his chest might hide
The woven trim was crowd’s quite favourite art
Most highly judged: the Wool was worlds apart

On Saturday, September 30, Anno Societatis 52, much of the Kingdom gathered in the Shire of Heronter on the shores of Lake Chautauqua for our annual Harvest Raid. I had the honor and extreme pleasure of organizing my favorite event activity: the Arts & Sciences display and competition.

I was astounded and delighted by the breadth of entries for the display and competition as well as the thorough documentation that many contributors included with their works.

We had two categories for entries. First, the competition that was held was for completed works in the theme of the harvest. This portion of entries was adjudicated.

Image 1

Harvest-themed offerings. Photo courtesy Baron Rhiannon.

Second was the open display, which was without theme or medium restrictions. Entries could be completed or works in progress. I enjoy having both categories available, as this gives all artists a chance to contribute work.

While all entries were beautifully made and presented, Fiber Arts won the day.

The Honorable Lady Elska á Fjárfelli won the harvest competition with her dyed wool and the Skjoldehamn belt into which it was made.

Image 2

The Honorable Lady Elska á Fjárfelli’s dyed wool and Skjoldehamn belt, made from her dyed wool, won the Harvest Competition. (This and all following photos by Signora Ginevra Isabetta del Dolce.)

The skills and artistry of Elska were much appreciated by all.

All members in attendance were welcomed to vote for their favorite among the entries, giving those without the theme a chance to shine.

Lord Hrólfr á Fjárfelli’s card-woven band for Her Majesty Queen Juliana’s apron dress, a beautiful Æthelmearc-themed trim inspired by the Birka Bands, was the highly marked favorite.

Image 5

Lord Hrólfr á Fjárfelli’s card-woven band for Her Majesty’s apron dress.

The other entries, in various media, were all worthy of our attention and showed myriad skills. I look forward to these artists’ next entries!

Image 6

Baron Rhiannon Elandris of Glyndrudwy’s fretted griffin.

Image 7

“Gus in Memoriam” cat scroll by Lady Catherine O’Herlihy.

Image 8

Lord Fearghus mac Eoin’s well-constructed Viking chest.

Image 9

Scroll blank by Ginevra del Dolce.

Image 10

The Honorable Lady Elska’s ginger-peach conserve.

Image 11

The Honorable Lady Elska’s oenomeli, or Concord grape mead.

Image 12

Eadaoin Gaelach Rua’s wassail (mulled cider), warmed over candles throughout the day, was very enjoyable.

Image 13

Eadaoin Gaelach Rua provided information on wassail.

Image 14

Lady Jocelyn of Hartstone’s paintings in various media. (I find it is often quite difficult to paint movement, but Lady Jocelyn surely captures it in every brush stroke.)

A very pleasing array of arts and sciences were offered throughout the day in addition to the competition and display. While many of Æthelmearc’s subjects gathered in the great hall throughout the day working on personal projects, there was also a small library, a scribal playtime hosted by Mistress Roberta, children’s activities including a Viking longship-building competition headed by Lord Lodthinn, and a games table hosted by Lady Maggie.

The arts are alive and well in Æthelmearc. What an honor it is to be a part of them. I look forward to seeing what you are working on the next time we meet.

In service,
Signora Ginevra Isabetta del Dolce
Minister of the Arts & Sciences for the Shire of Heronter

 

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Dark Ages Skóla A&S Display and Youth A&S Tournament

10 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by aethgazette in Arts & Sciences, Event Reports, Youth Activities

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A&S Competitions, A&S Display, Myrkfaelinn

By THL Elska á Fjárfelli

As part of its focus on the the Arts & Sciences, the Dark Ages Skóla (organized by the Dominion of Myrkfaelinn) also hosted both a Dark Ages-themed A&S Display and an unthemed Youth A&S Tournament. Both displays were situated in the main hall and enjoyed many visitors throughout the day. Thank you all for participating, and we’re looking forward to seeing what you’ll come with next!

Entries in the A&S Display:

Hedeby shoes. All photos by Elska

  • Hedeby shoes for a youth by Abigaile Kelloge.

Abigaile writes: “The Hedeby shoes are based on a boot found in the excavation of that Norse settlement, 8th to 11th century Germany. They are similar to boots located in the Viking ship Museum in Oslo, which were grave goods from a ship burial of around 900 CE. This pair of kid’s shoes is based on a pattern from the Internet and are made from lightweight leather, handsewn with waxed nylon thread, with a machine sewn wool insole for comfort.” She did not anticipate how well loved the shoes would be come in the few weeks between events and when he’ll outgrow them, so she did not decorate the edges.

Trousers

  • Thorsberg Trousers, machine sewn from a repurposed cotton duvet cover,  by Erin Pence.

 

  • Vierpass Beaker (four-spouted beaker) stoneware by Algirdas Wolthus.

Beaker

Algirdas comments: “Modeled on examples excavated from a tavern in Nuremberg, dated to c. 1400 to 1425. Published by the German National Museum “Aus dem Wirtshaus zum Wilden Man”, 1983.” He made several of these beakers and often uses them in his feast fear.

  • Machine-embroidery samples in preparation for a medieval silk outfit, by Aldeeza Wolthus.

Embroidery

The Youth A&S Tournament had six entries (yes, there were more kids entries than adult A&S entries, shame on you!):

  • Katriona Iainsdottir entered a leather cover book with handmade paper inside.
  • Cornelia entered an inkle woven shoulder strap made of gold and black.
  • Sungiva entered an inkle woven belt, and a second one she was working on.
  • Simon entered an illumination on parchment he was working on.
  •  Konrad entered a weaving he is working on.
  •  Galen entered a macrame bracelet he was working on.

Konrad showing off his weaving on his Cricket loom to Mistress Rhiannon.

Master Bedwyr Danwyn and Mistress Rhiannon y Bwa undertook the difficult task of coming to some sort of order in which the entrants could choose their price. Taking their task very seriously, they talked with each entrant while watched by an eager flock of kids, making sure to note each accomplishment while also gently teaching a trick or two to help their project grow.

Master Bedwyr demonstrating smudge free illuminating.

The concentration the gathered children exhibited while Master Bedwyr demonstrated to Simon how to prevent edge smudgings on his calligraphy by covering up exposed edges with a piece of paper was mesmerizing, and the eagerness everyone followed Mistress Rhiannon into the kitchen to do a burn test to learn if the yarn used to weave with was natural wool, or not, when Konrad could not tell one way or the other, was truly inspiring!

Cornelia showing of her entry to her sister Marie of Hartford and her friend Emma Wolthus.

In the end, Cornelia won first pick with her inkle woven rabbit skin pouch strap, made with polyester gold thread. The rest of the kids quickly gobbled up the remainder prizes (there are never enough swords, we adults learned) and a good time was had by all. I overheard talk about what project to work on next and thought, what a great experience this was to inspire A&S into our new generation.

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