Recently I realized I’ve been too hard on myself, after for so long believing I’ve been too lazy or undisciplined to actually do something of value. All I could’ve think of were project that never started/never finished or why haven’t gotten farther in my life. Could only think of what could’ve been, instead of what is and what it actually means

However, one night before falling asleep I started to think: if I could meet my 19-year old self, what would I tell him? Suddenly I started to think of several things, many things I don’t want to forget. I’ve said many times “memories makes us who we are”, but what does it makes us if we can’t even remember the most precious memories that give us strength? So I decided to share with you this open letter to my 19-years old-self: partly since it will help me make it easier to remember but also for all of you who also can’t help to feel powerless at night. If this open letter can at least help ONE of you in any way, would means so much for me.

Without further ado, let’s begin.

Hello Rikard!

If you meet me in the street, you wouldn’t recognize me. Sure we have similar voice, same height and the same face…but other than that, there is not that much we would have in common. First off we have different outward appearance: different body language, different hair and also completely different clothing style. If only the differences would stop there, but they don’t. You would notice I’m a humorous person, gladly look you in the eyes when we talk, got more confidence when I speak, plenty of interests and also can’t help to make weird inside jokes that you only get by hanging out with me.

Would you believe if I told you: that I’m what you will become 10 years from now?

You probably don’t believe me, but you don’t need to right now. The important thing is that I want to share with you what things you will do in later on in your life. 10 years is a long time, you have used that time for more things than you could imagine and you will grow so much.

To begin with, do you remember how many times people called you dumb and even a teacher said you wouldn’t make it in life? You for a long time would believe them. How wrong they were. In 10 years you have studied in two universities, gotten a bachelor degree from both of them: one in game design and the other one in European studies. In both instances you had to read a lot of philosophy to write the essays/thesis and if you only had more money you would more than gladly study more. You’re 18, doubting yourself so much…but right now you can’t wait to read and learn more, because you have a thirst of learning not everyone has! Heck, often you find yourself reading Kierkegaard/Thoreu (you will know them in due time) on the bus…does that sound like a dumb person to you?

Right now, you have developed agoraphobia because of the anxiety. You are afraid of crowds, having presentations, taking the bus/train/plane and go on stage. You feel weak and worthless for not being able to do many things required to achieve your dreams. And I’m not going to lie: it will stay with you for a while. There will be nights you cry, presentations you will fear, buses you avoid and life just seems scarier. But you will face your fears time and time again…and now you can’t wait to get up on stage and show everyone who you are. You travel whenever you got the time and money, you even faced your fear of flying going to Ireland and right now you can’t wait to fly to Japan! Yes, there is still things you are afraid of…but overcoming that incredible obstacle shows how strong you are. Right now: you can’t wait to conquer the other fears in your life!

As you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking “how could anything I’ve read be possible? I can’t do anything”. Once again I must be honest: your weak self-confidence is still a bit of an issue, as there are so many projects you want to do and you can’t help to hesitate: “what if I can’t do it?”. Trust me: you have done so much and even if your confidence could be stronger…it is incredibly stronger than it was before. There are a lot of moments were you outdone yourself, here are a few: one semester you wrote a thesis while studying at another university (the thesis was a smash success!), you took the role as an organizer and NAILED it (it was your first time), you learned to sew and your first costume was a 18^th century military uniform (You probably wondering why the heck you would start sewing, I’ll tell you later!). And it gets better. Even if you are struggling with starting projects because you’re worrying it might fail: slowly things are changing. Because recently you started a project that has grabbed the attention of several people all over Sweden, many are curious how it will turn out and can’t wait for you to finish it. Best of all: even if this project might not turn out perfect, you still wanna go trough with this to the end and are so excited to finish it. Because you have learned that the biggest price isn’t the audience number or critical praise: but to actually create something that grows with you and changes you to something you didn’t even know existed. Who knows what projects awaits in the future, either way you are more excited in life than ever!

But the best thing of all…you won’t experience all of this alone. I know you feel lonely right now Rikard, you got few friends and none of them make you comfortable. But now, you’re surrounded by many…MANY incredible people that enrich your life in so many ways. They have helped you through tough times, helped you on your projects, helped you grow and supported you…not like your old “friends”. You will learn so much from them all, because they come from so many places. Iceland, Ireland, USA, Norway, Finland, Denmark…and that is not all of the countries they come from. And even in Sweden they all come from different groups, giving you plenty of perspectives on life and thus saving you from a boring, monotone, life. Even 10 years later, you sometimes think “Do I even deserve these wonderful people?”. One of the best feelings is to make them smile, laugh and happy because they deserve it and much more. They have given you one of the most valuable things in life: memories. And more will come.

I’m not going to lie, there have also been some dark times to…to deny this would be an atrocious sin. Your anxiety will never go away and you know your confidence, even if it is much better, will never soar like it does for many other people. As long as there are successful people, you can’t help to compare yourself to them. This is another reason I’m writing this to you: to tell you, and remind me, something important. No one else have your memories, no one else have gone through exactly what you have, no one else smiles the way you do, no one looks into the future the same way you do. You got your own history, one the be incredibly proud of. You are Rikard, and you should be so proud of it.

Better end this letter now, got to stop procrastinating and finish my projects. Got so much more to learn!

Take care of yourself
//love, a 29 year old nerdy dork.

PS. Tack för att du finns

"I wanna see mountains again, mountains Gandalf!"

This might be almost three weeks late, but considering how important my experiences in Iceland have been to my creativity...I felt it was important to share with you what happened on that beautiful island. Not only did it give me wonderful memories but it was also a revival.

About a year ago, Midgard 2018 was announced. It was going to be Iceland’s first all-inclusive convention. When I heard about it I couldn’t help but to be get interested, I have for a long time wanted to see Iceland, and also it would be a once in a life time experience to attend a the first convention in a country that has until now only had smaller nerd-related events. I finally decided when a good friend of mine also wanted to go AND I got a place to stay in Reykjavik: Midgard 2018 would be the first con in a long time I would go to as an attendee!

Leaving Scandinavia and arriving in this colder, but so beautiful, country was amazing: Reykjavik was beautiful, the country side was Skyrim and Middle Earth rolled into one, the hot springs were wonderful….and I haven’t even scratched the surface of what the country has to offer! Two days filled with sightseeing and photoshoots even made me forget that there was a convention…ironically, since it was just for that convention we decided to go!

Two dorks, climbing a mountain!

The first day of Midgard, we simply relaxed and looked around at the con: it was small, but organized! For a first con they sure had several interesting guest and artists, amongst them was Brian Muir: a sculptor that has worked with the Star Wars franschise, creating Darth Vaders costume (from Ralph McQuarrie’s design). We walked around, looking at what the artists had to offer and even attended one of the lectures. Then we finished the day early, decided to take it easy and get ready for tomorrow: then it was time to cosplay!

We even got goodie bags!

The final-day of Midgard we went with our cosplays: Fabian went with his Pettsson and Findus cosplay, I went with Avatar Kyoshi. And here…I’m going to be honest: I was nervous, maybe even scared, when I started on my make-up. There are several reasons to that: it was long ago since I last wore this costume so I felt rusty putting on the make-up. Even if I like this costume I couldn’t help but to look at all the small details I wasn’t happy with. Nowadays I’m more used to working and not cosplaying at conventions but of course….I was joining the cosplay competition. Signing up for it was actually not my idea, one of the organizers just suggested it since it would be more fun if more cosplayers joined. I was hesitant as this cosplay wasn’t really competition material, but I gave in when they said “it’s just for fun”. Now the day had come. Putting it on first made me uneasy.However: it all changed when I got it all on.

Walking around the con felt great, it felt so nice to take on the role of an amazing character and be in the middle of geeky environment. Then came everyone that wanted to take pictures and looked in awe….it had been too long since someone complimented me for a costume at a con. Everytime I couldn’t help but to crack a smile and compliment back in SOME way! Then came the competition. Just going back-stage to see everyone’s amazing cosplays was fun, to talk and to get excited and nervous together made it better…then I got out on the stage.

4 years had passed since I competed with a cosplay, 2 of those years I had a cosplay depression and just wasn’t happy with what I created. Sure, the depression ended when I learned to appreciate cosplay as art, and also when I learned what killed my love for making cosplays: but now finally…I was on stage again. Walking out, people were cheering and I struck two poses. I felt excitement and was so happy to be up there, I’ve missed the stage so much and even if the stage was far from Sweden: I felt at home. But it wasn’t enough for me, I decided to get closer to the audience and started to wave my hands, telling them to cheer for me more. “Louder” I thought, “louder, it’s been TOO long!”. And they cheered higher. I struck two more poses, and then got off….feeling like a thousand splendid suns.

Afterwards more people came up and gave me compliments, telling me I should win or that I was their favorite. I was smiling like an idiot. After 15 minutes, they announced the winners: I didn’t even place. People told me it was not right, but I didn’t care.

Since, I did actually win. I got to get up on stage and get people to smile. I was proven wrong: my costume was actually competition material, since I had fun.

Afterwards we had to get back to get some sleep, we had to take an early flight the next day. I had trouble sleeping since I was so excited…it didn’t get easier when Fabian (who was a judge for the competition) told me that Brian Muir sat next to him as a fellow judge. Apparently he gave me a 9 out of 10. I was stunned…one of the creators of Darth Vader’s costume liked my cosplay and stage presence? And I was so hard on myself before the competition. It’s incredible how one can think so low on oneself, when other look and just smile at you.

On an early bus back to the airport, filled with people either half or completely asleep…while I was looking out the window, I was thinking about what this unexpected journey has given me. With a warm feeling in my heart, a tear going down my cheek…I smiled.

One day, I will return

Now for something darker: for awhile I've wanted to make a OC but first last year I actually decided to make one. His name is "Solsagan", a creature responsible for creating the sun and with it all life. However...now  these days he spends his life in darkness and hating what he has created. There he spends his days studying the dark arts and improving his black magic. 

Photos and edit by Robert Johannesson

This costume means alot to me since it was a comeback after a 2 year long cosplay break. Studies abroad, bachelor thesis AND working full time at the same time...I had to make priorities, but sadly I also lost my creative drive becuase I made a terrible sin. But boy, what a comeback! I'm really happy how the costume turned out and it felt great to finally make a Avatar: the last airbender costume (I love this show <3).

Photos taken by Muppy Cosplay
Edits by Pearl Cosplay

Well, as I'm writing this I've finished most of my preparations for my involvement of the Nordic Cosplay Championship, together with Sabina (the committee-member in charge of the event) I will arrange the biggest cosplay event in all of the Nordic countries...so big even Sweden's national TV can't keep their eyes from this.
...And writing those words made me even more realize I will be part of something big, no something huge. 

But this isn't the first time I've worked with the NCC, since last year I did not only worked with the National championship of Cosplay but also the Nordic championship as an assistant for some of the competitors. Back then I was motivated to play, although a smaller one, part of something the gives inspiration and admiration for so many creative people in Sweden/Scandinavia. And you know what: I had a blast! Got to go behind stage and see where the magic comes from, meet fascinating people and also learn more about cosplay crafting...and for a sucker like me that LOVES to learn it was fantastic to be a part of it all, even if it wasn't that big role I felt like I did so much!

Now that's a face saying "I'm learning and I'm happy!!"

Half a year later, the former assistants of NCC were asked if anyone would be interested to work as a organizer for next years event. First I was skeptical about applying, but finally I sent an application to Sabina and with this thought in mind: "maybe they saw potential in me, so why not try it? No harm in trying at least!"
A week later, I got a call from Sabina and she told me she wanted me to work with her for this years NCC. And honestly...the feeling was amazing: I got so excited, I had a bright smile all day long and couldn't wait to tell all of friends. Few times in life was I so excited to get into uncharted territory, and get the chance to learn more about myself and what I could do.

Working with the NCC this spring has been rough, I won't deny it. As a organizer I have much more responsibility and have to do more work before the event: planning, organizing, fix schedules, gather a team of volunteers, give them advice on how to best handle the competitors and problems that might show up etc. And most of all: I had to think about that every decision I make could actually be bad and have greater consequences than I could have as a assistant. Alot of work and risks...that is what being an organizer and leader is about.

However, it has also taught me alot of valuable things: to trust your decisions, to act is better than not act and understand your limits. And also I learned to organize, give directions/instructions to staff, think ahead and focus on your priorities (to even have priorities in the first place!!). Even if it was rough, it was within my trails and new experiences I knew what to think of if I ever become an organizer again...most important is to know what I can and can't do. As a chinese man said it best: if you know your enemy and yourself you don't have to fear the results of a hundred battles. In this case, the enemy is my own fears and how they hinder me from moving forward in life. 

There are so many things I wanna do, and this experience will surely play a part in the future for me.

Although I'm not sure I'm ready, and I could've probably done more to make this event amazing....I still feel like a winner: I've gone to the uncharted territories and come back with new knowledge that surely will help me in my future ambitions. I'm glad for the offer Sabina gave me and the hardships I've been trough...thanks to them, I've become stronger. What will happen afterwards? I have no idea, but that makes it all the more exciting!

Soon it's time, and I feel ready...and I know that staff I've organized is ready and I trust completely they will help the competitors have a good time. They are amazing people.

You can watch it all here on July the 29th!

Until then....it's time to:

This will be less of an academic text than last time, instead I'll write something with a more personal aspect...which is also important for any art form, especially cosplay. This time I wanted to discuss something that is horrible, or worse yet....a sin, for a cosplayer to do. What is this sin? Well, it is a sin many of us have committed and sadly sneaks up on us before we even know it (especially now a days because of social media). To explain to you how I committed this sin, I need to go back in time.

I remember back in 2013, when I created my two first self made cosplays: The carolean uniform and Frank N Furter. One was more complex while the other was more simple, yet they would still be only the beginning of a wonderful journey that not only would help me get a sense of personal worth I've never felt before: but also would give me new friends, new experiences and ultimately...new lessons to learn.

Sic parvis magna

For the first time in a long time, learning was fun and I looked forward to learn more. I didn't care whether I was skilled, had followers or won awards, I just loved to learn more and make something more of my life. To not only dedicate to one but several skills. It got even better when I got in touch and cosplayed with cosplayers I looked up to, then I got to learn even more plus got to know inspiring people.

Not the best...but who cares? I had so much fun!

The next following months, it was like heaven, it was like I was legally high most of the time and nothing could stop me!

...then suddenly, in 2014, I didn't enjoy what I did. The joy of learning disappeared slowly as time passed and I got to meet more and more amazing people, suddenly my hobby was more of a burden that made it less worth to continue with. Yet I continued, in hope that this feeling was just a phase and it would disappear soon. Then, from 2015 to the second half of 2016, I had to take a break from cosplay because of studies and the bachelor thesis. Moreover, once I finally had the time to work on cosplay again, I still wasn't looking forward to it. I had many projects in mind, and barely started on any of them. From that moment, I started to wonder whether the joy was forever lost...I even started to think that I never actually liked cosplay, just probably wanted the attention it could give me. So anxiety kicked in alot of the time when I wanted to create something. I was a productive soul, that couldn't get to it and create anything.

anxiety, self-doubt...was it something wrong with me?

I would finally understand what was wrong when I started writing essays, especially after I finished my essay on cosplay as artform. Because after I finished it, I felt the same amazing feeling back from 2013 when I first got into cosplay and started learning and trying new things; it was like seeing an old friend again, and sometimes I could barely keep myself from crying because of the happiness. I couldn't stop thinking of new essay I wanted to write on popular culture, all the new things I could learn and try out!

At first I got really close of becoming more doubtful whether I truly enjoyed cosplay or not, as I kept wondering: "How can I find enjoyment in learning from this, and not from cosplay?!". Then one night while I was laying down on my bed thinking of how writing essay could be more giving than making cosplays it finally hit me; No one else I knew wrote essays about popular culture, I knew some aspiring writers, but no one who wrote anything on an academic level. On the other hand, I did know alot...ALOT of amazing and talented cosplayers. Then it hit me: since I started cosplaying, with time I slowly and steadily started to do something that is TRULY sinful for any artist/cosplayer: I started to compare myself to others. Whenever some of my friends would get an award, whenever they would pull of an amazing prop, whenever they would be featured on a webpage...I would always think "...why am I not there?". It was as if everything I did, no matter how amazing it was to learn new things, suddenly didn't mean anything since I wasn't as good as my friends. It would only be worth something if it got really popular or gave an award.

And now finally after realizing the truth after 3 years, I've started to wonder how I could stop comparing myself to others and find value in my own productivity. Then I remembered, that I've already written down the answer in the essay: every cosplay is unique, every inspiration is unique...and no one can take that away from you. I realized what I did, heck...what ALL cosplayers do, means and how much we all bring to the world. I don't care if I'm not as good as many of my friends whom have competed on an international level: my art not only brings enjoyment to ME, but it is also unique and can't be replaced by anyone else. Since then, I've finally started with my next cosplays and even started sewing an outfit for a cosplay-ball this month. I don't care how it's going to look, I'm just happy to know that I'm making something.

"Oh thank god, I found you..I've missed you so much!!"

With that said, I want to encourage all of you that are comparing yourselves to others...just stop. It only kills the joy you had and takes the worth from being an artist. You may be inspired by other artists, but know that you will never be them, since creativity is highly personal and comes in so many forms since we all are so different. As an artist, you should understand that pleasure of creating, and perception of finished art, varies from person to person. I'm going to finish this blog entry with: Don't expect that a popular costume gives you awards is the only thing that will give you happiness, but know that the enjoyment of creating is what makes you reach new heights.

Results shouldn't be the only thing that give you happiness, it is YOUR happiness that gives you the best results.

Of all the interests/hobbies in my life, cosplay is probably one of them that has made a greater impact on me these last 7 years. It helped me meet my current friends, made me get out of my comfort zone and try new things, like getting on stage. It helped me fight my insecurities/phobias. It truly is an hobby that has played a important role in my life. I'm not the only one who has been deeply affected, most of my friends have a close relation to this hobby... some even told me that it saved their life and motivates them to fight their inner demons. For some people, cosplay is their raison d'etre (reason for existence). With a hobby that important, you can't really help but to reflect on what truly makes it stand out from other hobbies like gaming, skydiving, racing etc.

"But what is cosplay?" one might ask. To begin with, the word itself is a abbreviation of the words "costume play". It is a hobby where you dress up as various characters, mostly from popular culture like video games, movies, comics etc. Some buy their costumes or use bought garments, while others make their costumes from scratch by themselves to represent the character they want. This is the basic way to describe this hobby, but there are tons of details or perspectives of it.

You could get tons of answers from different people at cosplay conventions, but if you would ask me: one of the reasons cosplay truly stands out is because it is art. Then again, there are many ways to interpret the word "art". Some think of museums, Da Vinci, that boring subject at school, a way to express emotions or portray current society. It's a difficult thing to define what art truly is.

However, about half a year ago I found a book that would have a big impact on how I perceive art: The Relevance of Beautiful (Die aktualitet des Schönen), written by Hans-Georg Gadamer and published in 1977. In this book, Gadamer argues that there are not one but three analogies to describe art, which sets it apart from other activities or aesthetics. These 3 distinct analogies are: art as play, art as symbol and art as festival. In this essay, I will present how Gadamer relates these analogies to art, and motivate how and why these descriptions fit well with cosplay. With the help of a modern philosopher, I will prove that cosplay indeed is an art form like no other!

Disclaimer: for reference, I'm using a swedish copy of the book (Konst som spel, symbol och fest), so the pages where the actual quotes and passages taken from the book may differ in copies written in the english version.

Play

Gadamer begins discussing art as "play" by stating that humans have based their culture around play. It's an elementary part of our life (Gadamer, page 69, 1977), from playing with each other as children to playing soccer/board games, it plays a bigger part than we can imagine! But what does it really mean when you are playing a game? The simple answer is: an activity that in a varied way repeats itself. This can also apply to, for example, the way the waves play, it comes and goes and without a set course. "Play" is a self-motion, that serves no purpose. However, when humans play, they gladly put some reason into it..like it's an act without a final purpose, but the act itself becomes the purpose: you mean something with the play (Gadamer, page 71, 1977). It becomes a communicative action.

We can already see a connection now between art and play, but Gadamer goes even further. When talking about "Play", it is also important to mention the scope/room of the play: what can be understood and what can be communicated. Look at a simple game like golf: you can only act in one way to win and finish the game, you can find excitement in different ways but the end result tends to be the same. In Art, the scope of the play leaves room for many interpretations for different people to focus on: some view the Mona Lisa as a work of art that defines the renaissance, some look at the wonderful strokes, some look at the details like her hands or smile...the interpretations or communication is almost endless! Every interpretation is your way of playing the game: art is a free form of play.

The same thing can be said about cosplay. From the earlier description, it seems about right with the sewing and constructing of patterns being an activity that repeats itself in various ways. After that you could make the argument that cosplay doesn't offer a big room for interpretations: the goal of cosplay crafting is to look similar to a character. It has a definite and universal goal, in other words.

Cosplayer: Swedicandy cosplay

Photo: JL Cosplay.Studio 

Cosplayer: Nabbe cosplay

Cosplayer: Izelyca
Photo: Paxby cosplay

There isn't ONE way of doing a character since the intrepretations, the crafting, the purpose of the crafting itself, varies in so many ways. People have time after time said that cosplay is for everyone and amusingly enough, they were more right than they even imagined. Everyone might not enjoy your cosplay, but the same applies to art...art isn't meant for everyone to enjoy in the same manner, there are so many ways to find enjoyment in it. Cosplay is a free form of play, which is one of the reasons that it is art.

However, by just using free form of play as definition for art...much more activities could be considered art: some play soccer by changing a few rules, some play a game where the goal is to lose and so forth. We still have two more analogies to present before we can make it absolutely clear that cosplay is art. Next up is "symbol"

Symbol

Gadamer first presents an interesting insight on where the word "symbol" comes from: it was a greek term for a token of remembrance (tessera hospitatis) that could be broken into two and given to a guest so his/her descendant could come to the home and join the two pieces together, to kindle an act of recognition (Gadamer, page 83, 1977). Symbol is something you used for identifying an old acquaintance.

Art works in a smiliar way, says Gadamer in similar vein as its beauty is the ever sought after fragment that completes and makes our lives whole. A symbol that stands on its own but still becomes complete and meaningful thanks to the eye of the beholder (Gadamer, page 84, 1977).

Yet the artwork itself speak to us as its own work, not just as any conveyer of messages. Art simply doesn't refer to ONE thing, it doesn't exist simply for ONE representation. Furthermore, art differs greatly from what humanity has achieved from a productive stand point with crafts and technique: every product from there is only meant to serve as tools, they are easily reproduced and replaceable. For art, it's the other way around: it is irreplaceable. Ruining a artwork is even to this day and age an almost religious misdeed, just becuase, compared to a simple product; it cannot be replaced by another exact copy. If it's lost then it is lost forever. Even to this day and age, when we have technology to make copies, a photo or a CD is still just a reproduction...not a representation.

As you probably noticed, the first half of this segment connects well with cosplay: cosplay works very well as something you use for identifying an acquaintance...namely people who are part of the same fandom as you. If you would ask anyone at a convention how they first met, it would probably be becuase their friend wore a symbol, a cosplay, that was connected either to their own costume or simply to something of their interest!

Cosplay: Rebecca Storhaug and Breezy Glover  (Photo: Gunnar Nilsson)

Cosplay: Mizzpig Cosplay & Bringmethekelly Cosplay (Photo: Micheal Bengtsson)

Cosplay: Richard Desiatnik (Photo by: Louise Vedin)

Cosplay is also a symbol that stands on its own but gains a unique value thanks to the eye of the beholder. We already mentioned how it can gain a value by simply being a part of the fandom it represents, but it can also be appreciated for: the historical connections you could make from observing the design, how the cosplay reminds you of different emotions like fear/madness/innocence, childhood memories. The skill of the craftsmanship itself just brings appreciation in incredibly many ways (the seams, the color work)....yes I could go on since there are endless possible ways to appreciate cosplay!

Cosplays (left to right): Svärdsdotter Design & customes and Johanna Nybelius

And lastly: I can even present an argument that cosplay, just like Gadamer's vision of art, can never be replaced. You might think "but I can just make another cosplay, or someone at the conventions might cosplay the same character (with the same outfit)". And yes it is true, cosplay can definitely be reproduced and look similar to each other, that you cannot deny. However, I would say that you are only thinking about one side of cosplay, the finished product. There is another side of cosplay that truly helps it become art. You see, even if someone might do the same character or design...no one can do the same seams, go trough the same planning, use the exact same fabric everywhere, work with the same dedication and even inspiration as you did. The result might look the same, but the craftsmanship is still unique. It is irreplacable.

From Left to right: Morran cosplay (Photo: Flupps), Red Lady shinigami cosplay  (Photo: Norea Cederblad), Ninjutsuki Cosplay (Photo: Kristina Johansson)

It doesn't matter how the finished product looks like, the process of the creation makes it unique and irreplacable

We have now gone trough two of the analogies to describe art according to Gadamer, and yet it is not over. We still have ONE last analogy that will help define cosplay as art: "Festival".

Festival

Gadamer begins by making it clear that the meaning of festival is to oppose every tendency to isolation, it is the ultimate expression of community: the festival is made for everyone (Gadamer, page 96, 1977). Other than that, it is truly hard to define what a festival truly is. You could bring in different results from science or philology and yet don't achieve any proper answer. However, Gadamer decides to try to define it from one observation: that festivals are part of holidays we celebrate. What defines "to celebrate" is "to not work", since work is what separates us human beings, and by celebrating we finally join together again. With this, Gadamer makes the statement; that to arrange festivals is an art form, it has after all some defined customs, but still has freedom to allow variations. This might sound like the earlier analogy "Play", but it is here this analogy will go in its own direction.

The festival has its own time structure: when there is a festival, the time simply doesn't pass trough various forms off relieving moments, but passes as you take part of the whole festivity. Even if the festival has a detailed timetable, it is only so that the festivity can be performed. In other words: it got a time of its own. Time itself becomes a festivity, you simply forget the clock and your appointments. It s the same with art: for an example as soon as someone listens to music, they simply allow time to flow and pay less mind to it. When someone connects with a painting, either from personal experience or knowledge of its specific art form, time flies as you, in a way, enter the world of the artwork. We learn to linger with the art, but this lingering never becomes tedious. The more we engage with the art, the more it speaks to us and shows us perspective and layers that makes it richer. Gadamer finishes his analogy with these words: This might be our allotted finite equivalent to what we call eternity (Gadamer, page 105, 1977).

We can start right off with comparing this analogy with cosplay by stating the inclusiveness this art form brings us: cosplay and the community it comes with opposes the tendency of isolation. So many have told me that they were alone before they entered the cosplay community, they found a way to break their tendency of isolation, made from either fear, sorrow or mental illness. And this artform is not restricted to anyone: no matter your body type, skin color, height, gender etc...you are all welcome to bring forth different interpretations, versions of your favorite characters. Cosplay is made for everyone. There are those who would say otherwise, but ironically it is the same people who wouldn't identify cosplay as an artform. Which is fair since they aren't artists to begin with.

Left to right: Sorghrim Cosplay, Johanna Nybelius,  Pia Merlilin

No matter how you look, you're still an artist!

And finally I think it's safe to say: that cosplay got a time of its own. Because whenever I start crafting costumes, whether working on a prop, cutting patterns or sewing, I can't help but to feel like time flows. I've found myself forgetting to check the clock, forgetting deadlines (even forgotten to eat sometimes). Time itself has become a festivity, thanks to cosplay. Even if you don't agree with me that the crafting-process would qualify as what makes cosplay art, then how about when we go to cosplay conventions? Whether you walk around in your own costume or simply walk around and enjoy the convention on its own: you simply can't help but to look around and see the endless forms of beautiful costumes all the cosplayers that have put tons of time, effort and passion into. I remember my first convention back in 2009 and how the hours passed as I walked around, taking pictures and applauding people for their amazing work on their costumes. It even gets better when you've made your own costumes, then the works of others become more familiar, and you find even more things to discuss or inspect. In other words: the more we engage with cosplay, the more it speaks to us and shows us perspective and layers that makes it richer, like art.

First and latest cosplay by: Darkesttears Design (Photo: The Kensry-kun)

A cosplayer's time flies like none other

Conclusion

It's amazing how much happiness a hobby can give you, but it's even more amazing when you can fall in love with it more than ever after seeing it from another perspective. When I first began cosplaying, I simply saw it as a way to spend quality time with friends or to simply try a new thing to see how it would affect my life. Little did I know how it would change me as a person and give me happiness, like few hobbies have ever done. 

For me it has been breaking isolation, being a symbol and a free form of play...what has it been for you?

But what really is wonderful, is that by just reading a 40 year old book, I can't help but to fall even more in love with this hobby. Many would argue that if you try to rationalize or have a more in-depth discussion about cosplay, it would either be futile or it could even make you look down on this particular hobby that is supposed to make you happy. But after reading this book, finding connections between its message and cosplay, it hasn't made me look down on this hobby. It has rather made me realize it is so much more than just a simple activity to pass time: it is an art form that has managed to change the lives of so many people all over the world, in more ways than they ever could've imagined. It's amazing to find that cosplay, often associated with "nerds" or "no life", can even be loved or admired from an artistic, philosophical and even academic stand point. It is one of the things in the world that has proven to me that love can be even sweeter than it already is. Something already beautiful and wonderful can be more than that: you just need to open your eyes for the ever broadening horizon.

I can't wait to see how this art form will evolve and change the lives for more people in the future.

Reference list

Gadamer, Hans-Georg. (1977). Konst som spel, symbol och fest. Ludvika: Dualis Förlag AB.

And here we are....at the end of this long and rough year. "Sorrow" and "dissapointment" is what pops up when I think what has happened: inspiring people like Carrie Fisher or Alan Rickman has left us and things are getting crazier in the world for the ones most vulnerable in our society. Not much good things to talk about in other words. Not much progress in the world.

Same could be said about my crafting: these are all the props/cosplays I've made this year since I graduated this late summer.

It's been hard to get back into cosplay when you've been gone for so long, almost like that spark you had faded away with the studies/work during this year. Hard to get up and get on with a complete cosplay, plus it doesn't get better when all of your friends in the cosplay community post new years collages filled with pictures of new cosplay they've made. You simply can't help to feel like you're falling behind. And honestly...some part of me wanted to give up, let that spark of madness fade away and get on with other stuff in life.

But this is not the end. Even if these are not much, I still back with props...and I'm getting more exciting to get back into the game as time passes. And of course: these props themselves will turn into complete costumes soon enough, they may be small and not much but you can do much with them, use them for different OC's and such from the same universe!

In other words: this isn't the end =)

What I wanted to say with this post is: Now that I've fixed my life, I'm ready to get back into business again. And now that new years eve is upon is I've found a resolution for this new year: to get back up and craft more cosplay once again! I won't let my spark of madness die, I've got more to do!

2016 has been rough for many of us, let's make the most of 2017, get back up and show them what we got!!

It's always good to share your thoughts with others: memories, experiences, creativity, ideas and much more has been documented in so many ways by humans for so long culture has ever existed (and even before that). And every documentation has at least affected someone else in some way no matter in a big or small way.

That's why I realised it's important to share my thoughts from time to time my experiences with cosplay. Since cosplay all ready covers the examples I mentioned before: memories of staying up working on that tedious prop, the creative output required to create something from a simple idea and of course the experience to wear your costume and walk around in it in public. Cosplay is a hobby that brings all these togheter in a way that it could even be defined as art, I will go into this in further detail in an other essay in the future. None the less, what I'm trying to say is: Something so beautiful and fascinating as cosplay should be talked more about in a deeper meaning than glorious selfies or bad ass poses. These cosplay diaries will give you my experiences and perspectives.

Today, I will mainly focus on an important event that happened earlier this week: my very first solo photoshoot in a whole year.

We'll begin with looking at this picture, taken while we were preparing the shoot itself:

...The word "beautiful" perhaps pop up? :P

Or well, I can point to some flaws...like the lack of make up on the bald cap or the fact some pieces of the costume is missing. But there is something on this picture, that makes it wonderful to look at. Sadly, you can look at it all day but won't see it and only I know what the wonderful thing about this picture is. Cause you see: that day I didn't sleep well, had a bad day at work, had to stress abit to make it to the shoot AND struggled with a cold. But under that gasmask, made from worbla, rubber and plastic, there is the biggest smile I've had in a long time. That wonderful smile stuck with me even after the shoot was done.

After studying abroad and been busy with studies, that photoshoot was like a milestone...a reminder that right now I'm taking the steps towards a productive and creative life. How can't you help to smile when you realise you're finally free to create again?!

A man from Ancient Grecce once said that we humans strive to live forever, but can't since we are mortal. Therefore we find great joy in other ways to live forever, for an example in raising a family and know your own child is a part of you that will live on even after you're gone. He also mentioned that same can be said with art: a part of us exist in what we create, and it will live on.

...Can't help to think that he would even consider using cosplay as an example if he got the see the amazing things my friends have made! (...wonder if he ever considered cosplaying, or well, something similiar to cosplay during that time...maybe cosplay Zeus?)

Cosplay has been and can be many things for me. That day, it was a milestone.

What will it be next?