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
Hi all, I absolutely love models. I remember back when I was a child we went down to Dartmoor a few times for a week at the end of the summer holidays, and the absolute highlights from my point of view were going to Babbacombe model village near Torquay and usually a trip to Dobwalls to ride the miniature railways.
These days I do dabble a bit with building models but I'm not hugely productive as I do have a tendency to easily get disheartened if things start to go wrong. One thing I do a lot though is researching techniques for achieving all sorts of weathered effects on vehicles and buildings as it holds an endless fascination for me - I can spend hours and hours scouring the web for new ways of doing things. Just before Christmas I was playing around with mixing ratios of sand and very fine fish tank gravel to mix with plaster to make a Warhammer 40k scale concrete that would let me make rubble for model bases that not only looks right but reacts to damage in the right way. Warhammer 40k is another overlapping interest of mine as I find not only all of the background fiction incredibly satisfying and another place I can easily lose myself but also the models when built can be used as a tool to socialise when I feel the need and am brave enough to want to go and play a game at the local store.
Just this Christmas I was lucky enough that my family got me a bunch of books on things like modelling rusty metal, wood and using oil paints as a weathering medium. Also lego - Everyone loves lego!
I love that, thats fascinating ~ I always say us autistics are the most interesting and fascinating people on the planet! I have barely any idea of what you're talking about but I love it and I love that your family bought you such wonderful and thoughtful gifts.
One of my favourite childhood memories is of visiting the model village at Skegness which I revisited this year.
Your post has made me smile so much :) thank you
Thankyou, here is model I made and shared on a facebook group just before Christmas 2017. I call him Father GitSmash :)
Thank you that is very kind of you