Diorama or Display ? (2 Viewers)

[Hoot-n-Toot]

I have wanting to start this discussion for some time, so hear goes my first thread. As I look art all the wonderful displays, I applaud all of you for keeping you soldiers out of the closet, it comes to me that there two types of diorama. The realistic figure diorama and the display diorama for soldiers.

Picture 1 ---- I would call this peace a diorama. It is build to show off the figures in the best way with very little regard to size. My main intent was to get a stream for the boat and palaces for all the figures with a water fall. Some day I will build an acrylic cover to go over it. There is a gap around the frame to hold the cover in place. This diorama measures 17” X 17” and is 12” high for only 10, figures.

Picture 2 ---- This base I built for max density and to fit on a shelf. I find that placing the figures 2.5 to 3 inches high, per level, works well and yields a depth of 9 to 10 inches. This configuration is holding 25 soldiers but it may hold up to 30. As I am limited on space I build most of mine for max density.

Picture 3&4 ----- The base below I maid for Shannon for the Chicago Show. I think is the perfect size for maximum density of soldiers unless you just pack them on a shelf. Each section is 3” by 11” inches each can hold I figure facing out or, 2 side by side marching if the base is sized like the old Britons were. My personal taste calls for a riser under the second and third rows of about 2.75” each for height but that may be just my personal taste. This gives 7 soldiers every 9 inches by 3 deep or in this case 84 in 44 inches of shelf.

Picture 5 -------- Below is my attempt to get the best of both worlds. The thing I keep wonder is if my displays are realistic enough. They seem a little toyish to me but I like them that way. I tend to shy away from the more realistic in the soldiers. For example, not intending to say its wrong, Conte seems a little too realistic and bloody for my tastes. I also switch between gloss and matt soldiers all the time. I guess this is why I like the gloss painting as well as the matt.

This is the big difference I see, what you all think?​

Toot

 

[jomartvr]

Hi,
Good subject.
I like the 11 inch bases all that is needed are plastic covers. The problem with displaying F&I, AWI is that there is really no place for debris/rubble as in the WWII period. So if your going to display F&I, AWI soldiers the base and groundwork have to look good. One cannot fall back on building like those who collect WWII.
ben

 

[TLP]

I would go a step further, many of the so called dioramas in the other thread are simply a way for those of us over the age of twelve ( and much older ) to get away with playing with our toy soldiers and calling it something more adult!

Dioram or simply setting up your toy soldiers just like when we were kids only now we have more money and more toys!

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Some of you may not realize but Dave's Native American diorama was on display at the Chicago show this past year.

 

[OzDigger]

I don't think the terms diorama and display are really exclusive as you can have a diorama (realism) of fantasy figures that haven't existed, but I guess I know what you mean.

I feel the best way to split the two main figure and vehicle collecting 'factions' as being either 'model' or 'toy' supporters - and rarely will they agree It all comes down to personal taste, just like preference for different motor vehicles, football teams etc. So there is no right or wrong, and therefore no point attempting to change anothers opinion on the matter, or argue about it.

My personal taste is for realism and therefore I prefer 'models' that have as much detail as possible. So I go for pieces with a matt finish ('models') that have good detail, rather than the 'toys' that may be attractive, but just don't do it for me. I guess I gained this view from all the plastic kits I assembled during my younger years.

For example I don't like the poorly moulded track detail on the polystone K & C tanks because they appear to toy like to me. Therefore I have never bought a K & C tracked vehicle - I came close with Rommels halftrack though as he's my fav General. But that's not to say I don't appreciate the paint finish on most of the K & C tanks as it is first class. And of course many of their wheeled vehicles and figures are up with the best as far as detail goes, and I have several K & C pieces to prove my faith in the product.

When I joined this forum I couldn't understand all the fans going on about the K & C tanks and wooden aircraft that to me are often basic and toy like. I've tried to convert them to 'diecast detail', but I guess they just prefer the toy/artistic look.

Most of my models are displayed simply on glass shelves with very few extras like fences etc, and that's how I like them and I'm unlikely to go to any trouble to build or buy fake grass, or buildings or whatever. But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the efforts and differences of other collectors.

 

[Hoot-n-Toot]

Good point I guess some times I confuse models with toys. I do both and some times I get perplexed with which way to turn. I think you hit on the answer for me, models is models and toys are toys. Trouble is some are coming very close to each other. I suppose my problem is I am thinking of the same displays for models, or near models and toys.

Below a model and toy and ? Toot

 

[Fubar]

At modelers or wargame conventions, shows , etc. where figures and displays are entered for competition there are certain defenitions as to what category to enter your work.As I recall the call a vignette a small scene with no more than 5 figures. Your AWI NJ infantry and the others in the last batch of images would fall into that category.

Dioramas or display? I always look at a display as a collection of different items in the same area like all your AWI troops on that great looking tiered mountain.
I have one tall rather narrow glass case I keep an assortment of troops in. Theres Romans, some Napoleonic cavalry,some new ACW ect. Kind of my overflow of troops that all just get displayed together.
Dioramas or displays, we do enjoy setting it all up and enjoying the martial glory of history in miniature.I like arranging troops to look like one of Trioni's paintings or one of the many paintings I saw as a kid in the history books{ American Heritiage Civil war , Catton ,grabbed me when I was 7 and aint let go since} taking pix like a 3D painting.
Great stuf people. I'm enthusiastic again!
FUBAR

 

[Alexdakar]

I just came from a modeller's convention and took some pics of dioramas.

 

[Alexdakar]

Another pic.

 

[Alexdakar]

and another...

 

[Alexdakar]

I really like this one.

 

[Fubar]

Great stuf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[nmrocks]

Great Pics! I regularly google Diorama and check out sites, theres some super sights.
One of the most impressive I've seen is a guy who works in Hollywood and does these massive diorama's. It's just jaw dropping!
Check out: www.dynamicdioramas.org