Published on 12, July, 2020
A few people have been talking about model-making recently, and showing photos of models they've made (Plastic). Sunflower, too, was commenting on Robert's photos of rooftops, saying how fascinating she finds them. I'm the same - and I think it's partly to do with seeing the world in miniature, as it were: looking down on the world and trying to figure out what's going on behind those doors and windows, under those rooftops. When I was a kid, we lived for a few years in a London tower block. I used to love nothing better than to go up to the top floor rubbish chute room alone and stand there, by the window, looking out at the windows on the rest of the estate and the surrounding streets. Looking at the toy cars and the ant-sized people going about their business far below. Seeing it all laid out like a 3D map in front of me.
I don't really make models myself, though I've often thought about taking it up. I know the fascination, though, of seeing these miniature versions of things - especially in mock-ups, like you find in some museums.
I thought people might find this article interesting. I'd not heard of Bekonscot before, but was instantly enthralled. I must try and pay it a visit sometime - on a quiet day.
Tim Dunn, one of the volunteer workers there, comments: "You mustn’t deride how people find their happiness. Many people with Asperger’s and autism find pleasure and a level of safety in making or looking at models, and if you’re an introvert, how better to spend your time?"
He's right, I think. For me, it's also about being able to establish a sense of order: 'I've created this, and I can make it work in a way that satisfies me.'
And it's a great way of releasing the imagination...
Shrinking the World
I can completely relate to what you have said Martian Tom. There is something fascinating about looking down upon a scene and studying it. I used to spend hours sitting in my parents bedroom window looking at the houses on the hills in the distance. I would study the people and cars that were coming and going and wonder where they were going and who they were.
I am also fascinated in architecture and often study the bricks, tiles, roof structures of buildings when I am out and about. It has even caused those around me to look up as they are baffled as to what I am looking it.
Models also fall into this area as well. When I was younger, I would spend hours building and developing my model railway and would feel utter glee when building the miniature houses and setting the scenes. Being a girl, I suppose this was unusual, but I am the same with dolls houses as well, it's just that my parents could never afford to buy me one as a child.
Model villages are something else as well. Some of the best times on holiday have been spent in model villages - I can literally spend hours looking at them!
I loved watching the TV programme where teams of people made model railways layouts. it was fascinating seeing the ingenious ideas they came up with and the creativity and skills needed to execute them.
I twice took part in a Christmas tree festival but instead of decorating a tree I did something different. Year one's entry was a seasonal landscape scene of our village, the river, and the village on the other side. It had model houses and people and lights. I incorporated found objects as well as things I had made myself.
The next year I decorated an open front dolls house. Each room had a different theme - Doctor Who for example, and as well as figures and furniture there was a miniature Christmas tree. I tried to make these scenes humorous and a bit absurd! Under the table on which the dolls house stood was a track and vehicles for small children (and me!) to play with.
Another memorable model making occasion was when me and my husband took part in an art event called Home Sweet Home. A miniature housing estate was plotted out on the floor of a large hall. We were each allocated a building plot and given a cardboard house to decorate and accessorise. I had collected lots of quirky things to use so our house and garden were very eccentric.
The idea was that we would interact with other people in the room and get to know them as we worked on our individual plots. Unsurprisingly I got totally absorbed in the task and hardly spoke to anyone all day apart from a few small children who came visiting. My favourite feature was that the lights in our house came on if someone knocked on the door. It was great fun making it although my husband had a tough day being bossed around by me.
Model villages and indeed anything scaled down into miniature proportions really do appeal to me.
My wife has a huge Georgian-style dolls house that's fully decorated and filled with furniture. It has wroking lights and millions of tiny accessories - even a cat & mouse. She got it from ebay at a bargain price - it must have cost a fortune for the original builder.
That really is beautiful and I can see a lot of love and time went into it. Happy memories I am sure.