[MR] A&S at a Day in the Middle East

[Charlotte Johnson]

I'm pleased to announce two A&S competitions at the upcoming Day in the
Middle East event, on March 29th in Dun Carraig (Mechanicsville, MD). The
event website can be found at:
http://duncarraig.net/middle_eastern/index.php

There will be two competitions that day. Prizes are yet undetermined, but
I'm almost certain you will like them. ;-)

Competition 1: From the Skin Out

The best outfits are clothing, not costume. For this competition, the prize
will be awarded to the individual who creates the most accurate Skin-Out
Middle Eastern ensemble. You should create an outfit that has all of the
proper layers and underpinnings, and will be judged on all of the elements
of your dress. You, or somebody else, should be wearing the outfit. Judges
will not look under the lowest layer of clothing, but may ask to see layers
that are not readily visible. Entrants will only be asked to show what
they're comfortable showing!

Documentation is highly encouraged, though does not have to be complex. The
documentation itself will not be judged, but will assist judges in assessing
the clothing. Assume that judge doesn't know much about Middle Eastern
clothing (just in case I end up as the judge). You will be judged on
accuracy, completeness, and complexity.

Competition 2: From the Perspective of a European Court

Many modern people have funny ideas about what went on in history, and what
goes on in different lands. This is nothing new. Medieval Europeans also had
funny ideas about what went on in different lands, including those of the
Middle East. Many of these ideas are apparent in the art and the writing of
the period.

Imagine yourself as a medieval European, from your period and place of
choice. Imagine that you were going on a trip to the Middle East. What might
you think you would want or need to fit in, based on images that you'd seen
or the stories you'd heard? The object might be actually correct, or it
might be a figment of an artist's imagination.

Bring documentation to support your assertion. Your documentation will not
be scored itself, but it will be used to asses your interpretation,
cleverness, and imagination. You should use materials and techniques that
would have been known to your medieval traveler, and this "accuracy" will be
accounted for by the judges.

See you there!

Cheers,
Maistresse Mathilde Bourette
Barony of Dun Carraig