Sijun Forums :: View topic

Wireframe · junior member Member # Joined: 03 Jan 2001 Posts: 28

I know this may seem like a similar topic as elsewhere on the board. However I want to know what everyone thinks what "high" and "low" fantasy art is. It was explained to me "high" would be something like art work explaining the elves in one of J.R.R. Tolkien's books and low would be a cave painting made by a orc. To me this seems a little vague and would like to see some opinions.

Pax,
Wireframe

Anthony · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2001 2:35 pm

I think it's kind of foolish to apply a label of high or low to a type of art. The only way I could see it not being a misnomer would be under the consideration of the arts' relation to what are considered high or low thought processes. For instance, sexual impulses are considered base emotions in some contexts, whereas philosphizing about our existence might be considered high. In that sense, gratuitous sex and violence would be low, and studies on the human condition or something similar would be high. This would go for all art though, not just fantasy. And of course, even so it's restricted to the conditions I set forth in the beginning.

Wireframe · junior member Member # Joined: 03 Jan 2001 Posts: 28

Although I agree with you. I was tending to think of high art, in a fantasy setting as something that would be made by say.. Elves and humans.. something like carvings, paintings and elaborate sculptures. On the flip side more darker art like that made with metals or things made by gnomes, dawrves and orcs. Does this sound like fantasy discrimination. Yes it does... am I responisble for the mind set.. no.. it was forced on me so lets not go there.

Discuss...

Gryphon · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2001 8:47 am

I think the general consensus was not dealing with whether work was polished or not, but rather the subject matter. "High" fantasy is typically Tolkien-themed, with fair maidens, elves, and so forth. "Low", on the other hand, is more like a punk rocker elf - it still qualifies as fantasy, but it has a more modern element.

Anthony · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2001 9:22 am

That's a pretty odd conotation of "high/low" , but as you like. What was is you wanted us to discuss? ^_^

Wireframe · junior member Member # Joined: 03 Jan 2001 Posts: 28

Interesting point Gryphon. I was just asked to make a gui the other day in a "high fantasy" setting. I got annoyed because to me that was a very vague description. More things to think about.

MoleculeMan · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2001 9:57 pm

High Fantasy is a term that usually means Mideval/Classical Fantasy. This applies to Tolkien, King Arthur and so on. I think its used to point out a difference between the Classic Stuff and the "wierder" fantasy, being Starwars, Steam-Punk stuff, any non-typical fantasy (The def. of Fantasy being Anything with an unexplained force such as magic, or The Force and Science Fiction being the state of affairs in the future or what not). There really isn't a such thing as Low Fantasy, but if i had to make the division i would say it would be maybe something with a very low amount of Fantastical Interaction. heh.

marky · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2001 11:11 pm

Until his dying day Tolkien stated that Lord of the Rings was not allegoric - which means there was no symbolism intended.

This I think is one of the reasons that Tolkiens work has never been seen as high art, regardless of his poweful imagination. (OK I admit I'm slightly aware of all this stuff)

I agree the division between high and low, is false. It is usually used to attach "snob value" to art.

Lets not even go there.

I asked my "elves and orcs" question beause I just wanted to see what kind of reaction it got. Fortunately (except one) you all dealt with it admirably. Maybe I was looking for you to JUSTIFY your art - when I guess the truth is it doesn't reallly need justification.

Wireframe · junior member Member # Joined: 03 Jan 2001 Posts: 28

I want to thank all the orcs, elves, dragons, goblins, demihumans and humans that expressed an opinion.. and you are right.. we shouldn't go there.

Briareos · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2001 3:57 am

This reminds me of that Calvin&Hobbes strip about the "low" art of "high" art in "low" art... heh, wish I could find a scan of it...

hwei · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2001 5:59 am

I remember that Calvin strip

It was good. Hobbes's reaction was great, as usual. Man I loved that... Watterson had this policy about giving something more to a comic than simply talking heads, and his simple watercolour backgrounds are incredibly beautiful.