Tyranids

This is a pretty self-indulgent post, I'll confess *grins*

As well as reading Black Library novels, I'm a self-confessed geek in terms of playing Warhammer Fantasy and 40K. I haven't played for a while now and my poor Tyranid army is sat in a display cabinet at home feeling lonely. So I thought I would take a couple of (bad) pictures (with my iPhone) so that you lot could see what I've achieved.

On the tournament scene they were known as Hive Fleet Rutter - although I prefer Hive Fleet Britannia, thanks to the colour scheme! My winged Hive Tyrant was infamously called Mr Fluffy, and my opponents considered it a matter of pride to gun him down. Ah, I miss wargaming. So... Yes, I'm a geek. But I am bloody proud of this army - it's one of the finest things I've accomplished.

The aforementioned Mr Fluffy!

Gaunts and genestealers

You can just spy a Carnifex behind those Warriors

A close up! Isn't he fearsome?

Oh, and, while I'm at it, have another photo. In about a month's time I am heading to see Iron Maiden at the O2. While at the NEC for Eastercon I spied this promo poster for the tour - and all I could think is that the creature on the poster is most definitely a genestealer! *grins*

Do you wargame? What army do you collect? Do you enjoy painting, or is it something to be endured so that you can get to the fun part?

What Constitutes Art?

This is an interesting post for me to write - it almost becomes another of my Passions posts, being as it involves Warhammer.

Now, one of the key parts of Warhammer (it being a table-top, tactical game, involving two armies of miniatures) is the painting of the figures. For those who don't know much about it, the boxes of figures arrive like this:

And the most talented painters and modellers can create something like this:

Anyone who is unfamiliar with Warhammer - take my word for it that the model above is fantastically, shockingly well painted (done by one Matt Oakley, who has won numerous painting awards).

Now... I was browsing The Warhammer Forum, and found within their painting section a picture of the following diorama:

On the face of it, this is a spectacularly modelled and painted piece - truly stunning. Now look closer... Look at the Guardsman on the right as he undoes his belt; observe the guardsman on the left holding the Eldar warrior's chestplate. See the Eldar's hand inching towards the knife on the floor. Clearly this is a diorama depicting rape - or, at least, attempted rape.

Is this art? Is it necessary?

There has been plenty of commentary on the diorama above - the painter has provoked thought, reactions and discussion on the nature of war. This would indicate that the diorama has moved beyond mere painting and into artistry. Would you agree?

Some of those who viewed the tableau were horrified that someone would take of a tabletop hobby and create a "disgusting piece" (one of the descriptive terms used in a discussion thread that was locked when the discussion sparked into argument).

Can rape ever be used as art?

Where is the line drawn in the sand? What constitutes art?

p.s. I would be pleased with any comments - but this is my blog and I will moderate commentary as I see fit. If I receive verbal attacks about the above, I will remove them. I will also take away excessively inflammatory commentary.