This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on July 10, 2003). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.
There’s what looks to be an interesting art show opening tomorrow at the Roq la Rue Gallery called Dark Fairytales.
All of the work revolves around the title’s theme, “Dark Fairytales.” The artists were asked to work with existing fairytales — either the “classics” (such as the Grimm Brothers, or Hans Christian Andersen’s stories) — or stories from myths and legends around the world. They could even make up a fairytale of their own.
I won’t be getting home from work in time to hit the opening, but I’ll see if I can get down there sometime this weekend to check it out. Looks like there could be some interesting stuff there.
I have read several sources which say the fairy tales we have in the US have been greatly bowdlerized, and, in the original, were thinly disguised tales of sex and violence.
I’ve got a couple books of Grimm’s Fairytales, and they’re so far from what’s commonly passed off for fairytales today that it’s amazing. All the classic tales have been “Disneyized” so many times over that they’ve lost much of their impact.
Part of what the original fairytales were supposed to do was instill the moral lessons not just through the storyline, but through scaring the kids — not enough to traumatize them for life, but enough to let the story sink in and make them think about the lesson it was imparting. Not an entirely bad idea, I’d say.
But that starts to lead on to another rant, which I may follow up on sometime later…
Dammit!
I wish I was there!
If you go, take pictures for me? :(
Mark Ryden is good, Scott Musgrove is good, these guys are on my list of contemporary art heroes.
I’m so jealous. :`(