Re: reasonable accuracy

[carl christianson <einar@cvn.net>]

Poster: carl christianson <einar@cvn.net>

At 03:40 PM 11/25/96 -0500, you wrote:
>
>Poster: "Gabriella di Lorenzo Fiorentini" <hjurand@awod.com>
>
>> >Milord Edward,
>> >    You wrote:
>> >I have said many times before, and will continue to say: THIS IS A
>GAME.
>> >(Deletion) The SCA was _NOT_ founded on the 
>> >principles of TRUE MEDIEVAL RECREATION.  It was based on trying to
>embody
>> >those ideals (honour, chivalry, courtesy) and ceremonies which are
>_worth_
>> >recreating.
>> >
>>   However, we continue to represent ourselves to the IRS, under the
>pains and 
>> penalties of perjury, as a non-profit, tax-exempt, educational
>organization. See 
>> my opinion letter available on the web for details. The BoD got an
>outside law 
>> firm to research the issue, but did not get an answer on whether our
>pratices, 
>> as opposed to our paperwork, complies with the law.
>>   I will continue to assert that we are and must be an educational, and
>thus 
>> reasonablly accurate, organization until we give up or change the
>federal 
>> tax-exempt status.
>> 
>>   -- Esclarmonde
>                    Esclarmonde brings up a valid point...now my question
>to you, good denizens of Cheapside, is what is considered "reasonably
>accurate?"
>                Gabriella

Elen's 2 cents' worth again:
(I can't believe I'm still following this <exasperated sigh>)

Reasonable accuracy, to me, is _striving_ to re-create the craft in which
you have a talent or interest.  I'm less interested in the tools one uses
than I am the results...after all, damned few of us have enough of a
chemistry background to grind period pigments for egg tempera.  I don't care
if one uses a sewing machine to make the spiffy court garb.  I would
actually PREFER to see someone use modern stage make-up to re-create
Elizabethan make-up than seriously risk their health using the period
foundation - white lead (think, folks!).  What I care about is that one
knows how it _was_ made in period, what actual materials were used, what
pieces were needed for the full ensemble, etc. and DO THE BEST THEY CAN
GIVEN THE CONSTRAINTS OF MONEY, TIME AND TALENT.

I think my garb is really pretty good - maybe not quite museum-piece
quality, but that's what I *try* to achieve.  But I can't make decent
headgear to save my life, and my hands are not strong enough to make period
leather shoes.  I play Renaissance music - on my guitar because I can't
afford a lute.  I do know one period calligraphic hand, but I couldn't carve
a quill decently if I tried - and I have tried!  I don't expect the feast
cooks to prepare bread trenchers for everyone who comes to feast, and if I'm
wearing my forest green velvet early French Ren gown with the snowflake
sleeves, I'm going to use a mundane, 4-tine fork for Mars's roast chicken,
not my fingers.  Fabric is my medium, it's what I understand, and I'll leave
the other stuff to those who like working with it. Trust me, you don't want
to see me carving wood, I'll cut myself...besides, it leaves me something to
go ooh and aaah over and make somebody else feel like an artistic genius.

Esclarmonde, I understand your point.  But I don't think we all have to be
experts in everything, we just have to do some research and try.  Find what
you're good at, and do it.  I'm of the opinion that we already do just that.

Elen Prydydd

who's missing her Laurel more and more as this discussion goes on...

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