Art: Conformed Fairy Tales

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  Walt Disney, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1937
  VS
  Tiziano Vecellio, Morte di Atteone, 1562

Who would have thought to put Snow White, freshly recovered from her harrowing run through the woods and peering out to discover the dwarfs cottage, next to Diana in huntress mode (from Titian's "The Death of Actaeon")? What are your thoughts about this character when you discover Snow White's legs have become those of the goddess, as she is discovering the tragic end of a hunt? When you realize Diana's legs are stepping into a scene of what remains of a man-transformed-to-deer, did the inclusion of the one hiding behind the tree (on Snow's left) suddenly take on a darker tone?

The ideas both conflict and reflect on each other, with your brain encouraging you to try to find a link, since your eye sees the limbs lining up so well. Though Snow White as a hunter isn't quite as foreign an idea as it used to be (thanks to ABC's Once Upon A Time TV series), thinking about Diana and Snow White conforming to each other, creates a new way to look at the fairy tale of Snow White in particular. 

Such an image, once you realize what is happening and the sources of the two halves, is incredibly thought-provoking... (Are we at 1000 words yet?)

There is an Italian Tumblr blog that exclusively posts these split-yet-matched images, of which the Snow White/Diana one at the head of the post is one. Two unlikely pieces of art (often a traditional, or classic work and a modern or pop-cultural piece) are juxtaposed, with the main "flow of action" lining up to create a trick for the eye. 

It's titled "Confórmi [the forms do not belong to anyone]" and specifically adds text to remind us of this definition: "Conform": be similar in form or type; agree.

It's a genius meditation on familiar images. 


Although most fairy tale images used are from Disney movies, the idea of a particular fairy tale versus - or conforming to - a classical painting (or modern installation art), truly makes the viewer look at both pieces of art in a completely new way. 

And, of course, it makes us think of those fairy tales in new ways too...

We could probably muse on any one of these juxtapositions for a while but instead, we'll leave you with the images and whatever thoughts they generate for you, though we'd love you to share any flashes of inspiration and questions they may prompt in the comments!

The two pieces of art used are noted below each picture (in the original Italian text from the Tumblr) so you can identify each of them, in case your curiosity wishes you to wander a little further.

Enjoy your fairy tale art meditation today!

Giotto, Compianto sul Cristo Morto, Cappella degli Scrovegni, Padova, 1303-1035

VS

Walt Disney, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1937

Sandro Botticelli, Annunciazione di Cestello, 1498-1499
VS
Walt Disney, Cinderella, 1950 

Walt Disney, Sleeping Beauty, 1959
VS
Giotto, Dormitio Virginis, 1312-1314

Giotto, Sermon to the Birds, Legend of St Francis, Basilica Papale di San Francesco, Italy, 1295-1299
VS
Walt Disney, Sleeping Beauty, 1959

Wolfgang Reitherman, The Sword in the Stone, 1963
VS
Eero Saarinen and Harry Bertoia, MIT Chapel, Cambridge | Massachusetts, USA, 1955

Gustave Doré, L’Enfer de Dante Alighieri, 1857
VS
Benjamin Lacombe, Le Petit Chaperon Rouge, SOLEIL, 2003

Pirro Ligorio, Orco | Parco dei Mostri, Bomarzo, Italy, 1547
VS
Spreepark, Berlin, Germany, 1969 - 2001

This is the blog, though we warn you, you may wish to set aside a little time before going exploring. There's a lot to see and be delighted, or surprised, or bothered by): 

• confórmi [the forms do not belong to anyone]
 
• www.davidetrabucco.it

https://conformi.tumblr.com/ 

Disney's "Sword in the Stone" Live-Action Remake (ok!) with Game of Thrones Writer (um..)

I bet you never thought you'd read me saying "Yay!" about yet another Disney live-action reboot of one of the animated classics. Well this film (which is adorable and great for using with kids education - about many things!), would have been one of my top five picks to remake for live action (if you HAD to choose existing properties for live action, that is) and I would vote for an early Harry Potter style movie that kids of all ages can access. So, while "yay!" is a bit of a strong term for my reaction, I will admit to being OK with this one.

Tyson Murphy repaints Disney animation scenes: Sword in the Stone

While the news that a Game Of Thrones writer, Bryan Cogman, will be 'helming' this development has given me pause, I have no doubt it will be on the (MUCH!) lighter side than anything GoT has ever handled, but hopefully it will have some of the smartness of the production value sensibilities attached. While the on-screen handling of certain subjects has gotten a little 'iffy' on the GoT series, the production values in the costumes, photography, props and locations/set decoration has remained on par with the best, and fits almost exactly in the same 'histori-faux' era that GoT does. 

Can I just ask one thing? Can we please put in GIGANTIC LETTERS somewhere: NO JOFFREYS ALLOWED!

Cogman posts tweetpic of himself doing 'research'. Heh.

Here's the report from Variety:

Continuing their strategy of reimagining animated classics into live-action movies, Disney is developing a “Sword in the Stone” movie with “Game of Thrones” writer Bryan Cogman penning the script, Variety has confirmed. 

Brigham Taylor will produce the film. 

The original toon was based loosely on T.H. White’s novel of the same name, which ultimately became part of the author’s multi-book King Arthur fantasy, “The Once and Future King.”

What else is great about this? T.H. White's books will all get re-printed! More artwork! More wizards and magic students! (Especially great for all the Harry Potter fans dying from waiting for the Magical Creatures films to become real.)

And, best of all, maybe it will pave the way for The Black Cauldron to be made because C'MON DISNEY!

Redo the not-so-great film and make it as awesome-as-it-should-have-been and get kids reading Lloyd Alexander's Prydian Chronicles* as feverishly as we did as kids, plus "hello Princess Eilonwy merchandise payload!"

Just sayin'.

So yes. I like this news.

(Mostly.)


*Note for OUABlog folks: fairy tale content win!!

Funny fairy tale bonus of the day:

(OK I'm using the term "fairy tale" fairly loosely here)

Perfect for today's news.

Tee hee!

Once Upon A Time Season 5 Promises A Dark Swan

You've probably seen at least some of the update on OUAT's plans for season 5, especially if you follow on Facebook or Twitter, since I sent an article link on this to both in the past couple of days. (In case you're not aware, I've recently been linking to additional fairy tale relevant articles and interesting news and tidbits I haven't had time to get to, from a remote app I can use while doing other things, without having to log in to the blog, to FB or Twitter. So far so good!)

By now you also probably know that at the end of the last season...

END OF SEASON 4 SPOILERS!!!

LOOK AWAY IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW...>>>

... Emma Swan picked up the Dark One's dagger and we saw the start of the Dark One curse taking over her - something she purposely did to save Regina from doing it (and because someone had to do to "save the world" etc...)

SPOILERS OVER (pretty much, more later)

Since Emma Swan's name is "swan" it has been an obvious and likely plot possibility from the very beginning - that the light and dark sides of Emma be explored - think Odette/Odile in Swan lake, except I'm guessing there'll be less tutus.

(Oh boy. I hope there are less tutus...)

However... (Wait for it..)

Despite it seeming to be a fairly obvious take-off of Black Swan (the amazing-disturbing movie with Natalie Portman playing a ballerina who gets to finally dance the lead in Swan Lake), it looks like the promotional material (which you're not going to be able to avoid, especially if you're anywhere near LA or San Diego's ComiCon) is directly taking those visual motifs and repurposing them (other people might use a stronger term) for the upcoming season.

The emphasis is on ravens and raven feathers, rather than swans but really, the black-on-white/white-on-black with a slash of red, is clearly the same idea.

MORE SPOILERISH THINGS

& RANDOM SPECULATION BELOW

My thoughts on the Black Swan approach: it's been coming for a long time so no surprise there BUT I do love the Swan Lake tale and am intimately familiar with all the nuances in the ballet. There's a LOT to play around with in the story and I'm curious to see if they touch on that at all.

From The Movie Network:

Obviously there's a good portion of the half-season where the light side loses, at least enough for Kitsis and fellow EP/showrunner Adam Horowitz to give her the new nickname 'Dark Swan.' 

The real question is how the powers of the Dark Swan — yes, that’s what they’re calling her! — will differ from Rumplestiltskin’s (Robert Carlyle). “How a Dark One manifests is specific to each person who takes on the mantle,” says Horowitz. “Emma will have her own unique spin on what it means to be a Dark One.”

Big question: will the creators take a stab at dealing with mental illness issues along with general interior conflict? I can just about guarantee it will come up on Tumblr, even if it isn't intentional on the part of Kitsis and Horowitz.

Big question #2: will they finally acknowledge/touch on the Swan Queen vibe (aka Emma & Regina) that so many fans believe is there (and many are rooting for), as their long-time promised, yet not-yet fulfilled, gay character exploration? (Personally, with how Regina's character is looking, I can't see that being a two-way street if it does - her character clearly loves Robin - but that doesn't mean they won't have Dark Emma make a pass at Regina. Not exactly the best way to handle the idea though, as in this would then be a dark trait/manifestation, so I'm hoping this isn't the plan...)

The B-plot, by the way, is Arthurian and all things Camelot. They've gone into this territory before, and more than once, (Lancelot - who will apparently be returning, somehow, and the Lady of the Lake complete with sword, just to name the biggies, but there have been other references too), so here's my prediction: Season 5 is going heavily into princes, princesses, castles and dragons land - that is, the pop-culture idea of what a fairy tale is (see Fairy Tale Fandom's great post on Saint George and the Dragon, which is relevant here). What will this probably overlap with? Maleficent, Lily and whatever draconian familial issues are going on there as well as anything to do with knights errant (be that actual knights or Hook as Emma's knight or whatever).

Plus: Merlin, Merlin, Merlin, who is yet to be cast. He's supposed to be a "big dealio" and key to getting "the dark out of the swan".

SPOILERY THINGS OVER

No doubt we'll find out many other tidbits during the ComiCon panels, come mid-July.

I'm not really getting on board with the Dark Swan look, I'm afraid, but yes, I will be watching. Gotta keep up with what regular folk are considering as being fairy tales these days!

Once Upon A Time season 5 is set to premiere on September 27th.

"Lamp Black, Wolf Grey": Review by Madison Lindstrom

"Lamp Black, Wolf Grey"

by Paula Brackston

Review by Madison Lindstrom

Editor's Note: Normally I wouldn't accept the offer of a review ARC that is mainly fantasy rather than having a fairy tale emphasis. However, I know many of those who love reading fairy tales, also love the Arthurian legends so I'm making an exception, especially knowing there are quite a few Brackston fans among readers here. Take it away Madison!

Jacket description: 

Some landscapes hold more magic than others. Artist Laura Matthews finds her new home in the Welsh mountains to be a place so charged with tales and legends, so teeming with the force of the supernatural, that she is able to reach through the gossamer-fine veil that separates her own world from that of myth and fable. She and her husband Dan have given up their city life and moved to Blaencwm, an ancient longhouse high in the hills. Here she knows that the wild beauty will inspire her to produce her best art. And here she hopes that the powerful nature of the place will give her the baby they have longed for for so many years. But this high valley is home to others, too. Others such as Rhys, the charismatic loner from the croft, who pursues Laura with a fervour bordering on obsession. And Anwen, the wise old woman from the neighbouring farm who seems to know so much but talks in riddles. And then there is Merlin. 'Lamp Black, Wolf Grey' tells both Laura's story and Merlin's. For once he too walked these hills, with his faithful grey wolf at his heel. It was here he fell in love with Megan, nurse-maid to the children of the hated local noble, Lord Geraint. Merlin was young, at the start of his career as a seer and magician, but already his reputation had gone before him. When he refuses to help Lord Geraint it is Megan who will pay the price.

The heart of any story is belief.  The reader must trust the author to lead them through the narrative and fairy tale stories have the added dimension of dealing, by nature, with the unbelievable. Paula Brackston’s latest novel, Lamp Black, Wolf Grey, delivers vivid world-building and a location-rooted story you can trust to take you through the elements of the unknown. Similarly to her novel, Silver Witch, this book also brings together characters from separate times, past and present. For Lamp Black, she 
combines the mythic world Merlin inhabits with our own mundane present, and draws each in lyrical and authentic prose.

Merlin is the story’s major rooting point to the mythic and his story transcends the separated worlds and characters.  He exists in a romanticized medieval time with his lover Megan, but lives also in present day, where he meets Laura Matthews. Laura and her husband have moved to the hills in a last-ditch attempt to have a baby and save their marriage. By happenstance, these are the same hills Merlin haunts. While Merlin is the connecting character between the plots of two mortal women, it’s unclear whether he is immortal or if his presence in the present day exists only in a separate story realm which Laura has insight into.

Brackston uses Merlin as archetype rather than character. This Merlin is a younger version than typically seen in Arthurian legend and has been given a new lover, Megan. Having Merlin in this story, considering he is such a solitary character, is an interesting juxtaposition with the other theme of the story—love, both romantic and maternal.  Two main plot points revolve around Laura’s desire for a child, as well as Merlin’s relationship with Megan.  Placing Merlin against this background humanizes him to an extent that most legends don’t. 

Lamp Black, Wolf Grey, has all the elements which make this a wonderful fantasy tale. A mythic past, Celtic magic, true love, and the most recognizable of all wizards: Merlin.   If your interest lies in the nitty-gritty of the Merlin legend, this book is not for you.  For the rest of us, however, Paula Brackston creates a sensory world, and her book offers an undemanding, entertaining experience. Her descriptions of medieval life made me want to curl up in a castle turret and watch the world go by. I recommend Lamp Black, Wolf Grey to lovers of the country-side, and to readers looking for an accessible story.

Disclosure: A complimentary ARC was given by St, Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.

Madison Lindstrom is currently an undergrad in Creative Writing. She lives in a small, mountainous town, but dreams of traveling the world. She also loves reading, writing,  mythology, and of course, fairy tales.   Find her at  https://brontesbennetsbibliophiles.wordpress.com/

"Toad Words and Other Stories": Review by S. Y. Affolee

"Toad Words and Other Stories"

Review by S. Y. Affolee

Editor's Note: I came across this ebook fortuitously, via an artwork search. I loved the cover, which instantly said "fairy tale" to me and looked into it further. I realized I'd read at least one of these stories before somewhere, and when I discovered where, I thought it was high time I brought it to other fairy tale folk's attention. I think you'll enjoy reading why from our reviewer's point of view.

Jacket description: 

From author T. Kingfisher comes a collection of fairy-tale retellings for adults. By turns funny and dark, sad and lyrical, this anthology draws together in one volume such stories as "The Wolf and the Woodsman," "Loathly," and "Bluebeard's Wife," along with an all-new novella, "Boar & Apples." 

Author's Note: Many of these stories have appeared in various forms on the author's blog.

This anthology by T. Kingfisher (AKA children’s fiction writer Ursula Vernon) is a wonderful assortment of retellings with vivid, crisp writing and dark undercurrents that echo the unvarnished fairy tales of the past. As her use of a pen name indicates, these stories are far from the Disneyfied versions and Kingfisher doesn’t shy away from the darker parts of human nature. While Toad Words may not be suitable for kids, by uncovering modern concerns, this collection is sure to resonate with adult audiences.

What I found most fascinating about this collection was how the retellings rely on transforming the tales’ core messages rather than simply swapping window dressing. For me, altering details like time periods and settings merely make a retelling a variation on the original. But several of these stories focus on self-examination and self-acceptance rather than the original tales’ emphases.

For example, Kingfisher’s retelling of Charles Perrault’s “Diamonds and Toads” is told from the vantage of the cursed sister. While the original story rewards correct behavior and punishes incorrect behavior, “Toad Words” considers the possibility that what seems like a curse may actually be a gift in disguise. Later on, “Bluebeard’s Wife” examines an alternate personality for the newly married heroine. She values the notion of privacy so much that she cannot think of impinging on another’s, even if there are signs indicating something isn’t quite right. If Bluebeard’s wife is changed from being insatiably curious to being completely incurious, will it alter the story’s outcome?

This anthology also reimagines the Arthurian Loathly Lady trope. The cursed maiden is no longer some prize won by a knight, but a metaphor for the acceptance of self, beast and all. This retelling neatly parallels the pathway many tread on their way towards self-acceptance--first hating themselves for seemingly monstrous flaws, then transforming themselves (in a traumatic way) to fit society’s expectations, and finally realizing that contentment requires embracing those so-called flaws regardless of what society thinks. 

A novella version of Snow White called “Boar & Apples” balances darkness and whimsy. What really made this story stand out for me was the reframing of classic tropes. Here, the queen is not monolithically evil, but a stand-in for parts of society where horrific deeds may be symptoms of mental illness. Snow is no longer the passive princess who has a prince rescue her. Circumstances force her out of passivity to take her own agency. Dwarves are replaced by wise-cracking pigs, which may sound unusual at first, but is actually an inspired choice. Because pig hearts have anatomical similarities to human hearts and have been considered by the medical field for possible transplantation, it makes sense that an old sow’s heart fooled the queen when the huntsman brought it back as “proof” of Snow’s death. There are many such instances illustrating how human the pigs are. Their kindness and courage not only give Snow a role model for behavior but turn the demeaning metaphor “behaving like a pig” completely on its ear. 

Adult readers who enjoy short story retellings with a modernist twist will find many gems in this collection. Kingfisher’s succinct and conversational tone in dealing with the darker issues harkens back to the matter-of-fact recounting found in the original tales that heightened their fantastic and gruesome aspects. But by fundamentally giving the stories new motivations and personalities, the author has put together an excellent fairy tale anthology that is not only well written, but also conceptually provoking.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Note: Additional novella by T. Kingfisher in same vein also available, though not reviewed here.

Description: Rhea is an ordinary miller’s daughter, engaged to be married under suspicious circumstances to a man not of her choosing. He has unknown powers and a manor house full of mysterious women. 

Rhea has a hedgehog.

It’s probably not going to be enough.

From T. Kingfisher, author of “Toad Words & Other Stories,” and “Nine Goblins” comes a retold fairy-tale of white roads, dark magic, and small mammals.

Disclosure: A complimentary copy of the eBook was given in exchange for an honest review.

S. Y. Affolee is the pseudonym for a biomedical scientist currently working in Southern California. Outside of the lab, she’s an avid bookshop hunter, tea drinker, and inveterate scribbler. She’s always been fascinated by fairy tales and enjoys reading retellings ever since she first picked up Robin McKinley’s Beauty in grade school.