what is a Diorama??

In my opinion, a "diorama" is simply a snapshot executed in three dimensions, rather than just two. And as with all snapshots, the "story" is in the mind of the beholder.

Ted's Sherman dio is most definitely a diorama, as it is indeed a three-dimensional snapshot of a scene. And it indeed tells a story. Maybe not a blatant, in-your-face, here's what's happening A-B-C kind of story, but a story nonetheless. At the very least, it says "Sherman at war, somewhere in Europe." My mind can fill n the rest. I don't need to be spoon-fed everything!

In my opinion, once you put a model on anything more than a blank piece of wood, you have a diorama. Actually, a model by itself is certainly capable of telling a story, so if you simply define "diorama" as a "display telling a story," then I believe you would have to include stand-alone models as well. It's all about imagination and interpretation, folks.

Just my opinion, and not a slag against anybody, but looking at any diorama and claiming that it has no "story" at all would seem to indicate a lack of imagination on the viewer's part.

Perhaps this is all just a matter of semantics, an argument supported by those talented individuals who, moreso than "model" dioramas, feel that they "author" them. Granted, some dioramas do tell more detailed stories than others, as do photographs of actual scenes.

Which is fine with me, because I enjoy them all, whether the story is only vaguely suggested, or clubs me over the head!

It's all good!

QUOTE: Originally posted by tediam Well, I suppose I posted my "Model" in the wrong forum, no figgys. But if I posted it in the Armor forum, I would be in trouble as well. Maybe I should just not post?? Ted

You can post whereever you want. Technically, your M4 is not a dio as there is no story. It's a very nice display, however.

The only time this really comes up as an issue is at a contest. If you entered tha M4 in a dio class, you'd have a hard time competing against a display with a story line. And if you puy it in the appropriate armor class, in most events, the ground work would not be considered in the judging.

Take this discussion as a learning experience should you decide to compete at some point. Ultimately, however, the definition on a dio may shift depending on the sponsors of the event. Always read the rules and ask the head judge for clarification. The organizers really do wat everyone to have the best chance of taking home an award.

Well, I suppose I posted my "Model" in the wrong forum, no figgys. But if I posted it in the Armor forum, I would be in trouble as well. Maybe I should just not post??

Ted

thanks guys i hope that i will get something good to post here
Dragon15

Another way to understand the question: What's the difference between a dio and a vignette?
IMHO size makes the difference. Following previous examples, a pilot painting a mark on the tail is just a vignette for me, but if the scene depicts a hangar, some mechanics working on the plane, and the pilot painting the mark, it becomes a dio.
All opinions wellcome

A diorama is a work of art. It exists in three, and sometime four dimensions. It is a forum wherein your medium, whatever it may be, conveys a message, emotion, or story. At its best, a diorama is moving. A diorama is more than a model on a base, for it communicates to the rest of humanity that we strive to convey meaning, rather than merely "play with toys". It can be the pinnacle of what our hobby can accomplish.

Agood diorama captures a moment in time,like a single frame movie set.Cheers! John.

Action and story aren't always the same thing. What's the story of showing a pilot climbing down a ladder? That isn't telling me anything and by that definition, most everyone's shelves are full of dioramas. If it's just a "generic" everyday situation you're depicting, then that's more of a display.

Now, if that plane is of historical importance or infamous, and you model a ground crewman is spray painting a kill marking on the fuselage as the pilot's exiting the plane, then you're telling a story. It's something specific. Rougemodel's example of a jeep on the side of the road is perfect. Placing my Pave Hawk on an tarmac display base with a single PJ standing beside it isn't a diorama. By contrast, modeling MH-60L Super 62 on a certain third-world nation's street with two Deltas running away from it while a third Delta mans one of the miniguns, is telling a story.

I don't know if this has been mentioned already, but in my opinion a diorama is something depicting action. For example, an aircraft model with the canopy opened and the pilot exiting the plane via ladder is a diorama. It doesn't have to be an entire scene with a background or something like that. Although this will greatly enhance the diorama.

Remko

A dio MUST tell a story, be it simple or complex, and it should be readily understood to the viewer without eleaborate explanations. Consider a good realistic landscape painting or photograph. The viewer immediately knows what he/she is looking at. Additionally, a good dio will have a focus. All the elements will bring the viewer to one point. I've seen some dios where every element is pointed in a differnt direction. As a viewer, I have no idea of what is supposed to be happneing. All elements of the dio MUST contribute consistently to the story. As one who has judged models for well over 20 years, and built dios even longer, it galls me when an experienced, builder, with great skills, simply puts a bunch of figures around a vehicle and calls it a dio and expects kudos for it. You'll see a guy over here throwing a grenade (enemy's pretty darn close to use a grenade!) while over there, a guy's walking with a slung rifle or standing in a relaxed position. Guns are aimed every which way. The eye is sent in a dozen different directions and has nowhere to focus. A dio is like a novel. Yes, you might write brilliant, perfect sentences, but all those sentences have to fit together to tell the same story.
It is far more than putting a tank on a landscaped base with a figure next to it. .

a story set in ur mind, explained in a scenery

A diorama tells a story. an example: I built a diorama taken from the movie "Kelley's Heroes". In one scene Oddball's tank comes up behind a tiger and fires a blue "paintball" into the rear of the tiger by mistake. anyone who has seen the movie can immeadiately identify the story and scene. If you never saw the movie.....You could understand the story being told. I named the diorama: Kelley's Heroes "The world's first paintball game". A jeep sitting by the side of the road with a figure standing next to it eyeing a horse doesn't say anything..........put the hood up on the jeep...........put a lasso into the hands of the soldier ........ and bingo..........1 horse power! m

yep, a dio is a theme of some sort most of the time, tho not always, with vehicles in, and at least two-three figs in it

I agree with Trigger74. To be a diorama, there has to be a bit of a story or situation, not just a "setting." An airplane on a grass covered base with the pilot posing isn't really a dio, it's a display. However, if the plane were damaged and the pilot was inspecting it and wiping his brow, now that's a diorama. IMO

"What's a Diorama?"
Didn't Ralph Wiggum ask this very same question once?

For me, a diorama is a narrative tool. It tells a story via re-creation of the elements.

To me, a diorama shows the subject in its element, be it urban, ocean, flightline, or countryside. It is almost a three dimensional snapshot of the model, that can tell a story or give some idea of how the real item was employed.

I suspect there are as many answers as there are people to give them. For me it is any setting which adds extra details to enhance the model (ie additional figures , equipmment , background , scenery and so on ) but which are not part oif the model itself and which help tell t a story as mentined above..


I am not sure if this helps clarify or confuse the issue!

Interesting question though.

Cheers , Pete.

It's a peace of scenery depicting either just the scenery, or perhaps a building and/or some figures and/or some other subjects.
The difference in pictures in the other categories and this one, should clearly state the difference.

IMO, a base stand nicer in the wooden cupboard than a mere model. Will build them not that often though. There has to be a plan. At the moment I'm working on a SHorts Tucano, showing How i was on Fairford, UK with my brother in law and father in law. I was allowed to take pictures of the cockpit standing on the wing. Clearly, such a Diorama depicts more than just the plane. It tells a 'story'.

i say a model and/or 2 or 3 figs with a base with some form of scenery. Jut one fig or only a model is more of a vignette.

A diorama, usually including more than one theme,or more than two figures or accesories.

Great, another question thats going to keep me up trying to figure out. LOL