Renaissance: A Study of His Art
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Renaissance: A Study of His Art |
| Publisher: | |
| Editor(s): | Ann Crouch, Vicky Caldwell, & Kate Birkel (first three) |
| Type: | letterzine |
| Date(s): | around 1983 |
| Frequency: | bi-monthly |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Leonard Nimoy, Star Trek TOS, other Nimoy films and television roles |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Renaissance: A Study of His Art is a Leonard Nimoy newsletter moderated by Ann Crouch, Vicki Caldwell, and Kate Birkel. The art was by Ann Crouch.
The first issue was April-May 1983, and it continued on a bi-monthly basis (with a skip over Oct. 1983) until at least issue #6 in March-April 1984.
One of the regular columnists was Diane Marchant who reported on Nimoy from Australian news media.
While Star Trek and Spock were big topics of discussion and news, this publication also discussed other Nimoy roles such as in Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Catlow, A Woman Called Golda, and Marco Polo.
Ad Descriptions
From an ad in Universal Translator: "A bi-monthly discussion and information publication devoted to Leonard Nimoy. Contains discussion of Mr. Nimoy's past roles, present activities, and future plans. LoCs, clippings, reviews, and interviews are all welcome."
Flyer from the Space Trek #2 program book
A Spock collection, including at least 7 issues of Renaissance
Issue 1
Renaissance: A Study of His Art 1 was published in April/May 1983 and contains 26 pages.
It was edited by Ann Crouch, Vicky Caldwell, & Kate Birkel.
- clippings
- an article about "Standby, Lights, Camera, Action," a series on the Nikelodeon Cable Network
- fan letters
- info about the Alan Nimoy Fund
- ads for zines
- Nimoy in the news
- Snippits from Kangaland, a regular column by Diane Marchant
- an article about Nimoy's talk/interview at Kent State University on January 19, 1983
- flyer for The Leonard Nimoy Convention
[from the editors]: We, the staff, would like to invite you to sit back and enjoy this opportunity to explore the many facets of someone we have come to admire, Leonard Nimoy. "Renaissance" is not an official fan club, nor are we in any form of competition with other Leonard Nimoy organizations. It is our purpose through these pages to ask for and collect your thoughts about Mr. Nimoy. Since we as fans are geographically spread throughout the world, what better opportunity is there to get together in this informal publication, and talk about a subject near and dear to our hearts, Leonard Nimoy. So, we invite you to send your letters of comment, your reviews of anything Leonard Nimoy has participated in, news clippings, and your feedback concerning materials printed in "Renaissance".
[from a fan's letter]:In recent years, there has been quite a move within the television and motion picture industries to make things seem more "real" so that they will be more believable. In my opinion, this is not a good idea and apparently, millions of other people agreed with me. We were being asked to give up our ability to have dreams and fantasies by men and women totally forgetting how to dream themselves.
When the science fiction television show STAR TREK made its debut, it was received into eager and waiting hands like a reprieve from a sentence of death. Much of the success this show enjoyed—and still enjoys after so many years—is due to the Spock character played by Leonard Nimoy. He is not only our "fascinating" Mr. Spock, but a very diverse and interesting person as well. He can rightfully claim the honor of being what I would call a "Renaissance" man in several ways. Webster defines RENAISSANCE as "new birth; any period characterized by new vigor; new life." With the advent of STAR TREK, a renaissance was born, and a primary person bringing that about was certainly Leonard Nimoy. He took the risk of this Spock character being rejected. Instead, because of his excellent portrayal of Mr. Spock, he became almost a household word. Why should Mr. Spock appeal to us so readily?
His search to find his humanity becomes our search as well--and so—again and again we return to those STAR TREK episodes, even if we've seen them a dozen times or more hoping to discover ourselves. This is a far greater reality than the promoters of cinema verite will ever realize, and it is both more simple while at the same time far more subtle. Spock is a hero for both men and women.
Speaking from a woman's point of view, Spock is irresistible. No matter how logical he's being, one always gets the feeling there is so much more beneath that exterior. Even his voice lends itself to this assumption. There is always a touch of gentleness just below the surface, tantalizing, elusive, just out of reach that still keeps one reaching nonetheless. Through identifying the frustration he presents for us, we are sometimes able to direct our anger and frustration with someone real in our lives harmlessly to the safe target of the Spock character.
But Leonard Nimoy is a renaissance man in other ways, too. He has that rare quality of being unafraid to be himself no matter what other people think. When he had had enough of being Mr. Spock, he was not afraid to say so, even though he knew he was disappointing a whole audience of faithful watchers. However, I find it most interesting that in the made for television movie, SEIZURE, he played a neuro-surgeon who had many of the same qualities as Mr. Spock. Is this chance, or could it be that there is more of Spock living inside Leonard Nimoy than perhaps he had thought himself?
Issue 2
Renaissance: A Study of His Art 2 was published in June/July 1983 and contains 20 pages. It was edited by Ann Crouch, Vicky Caldwell, & Kate Birkel.
- clippings and ads
- a lengthy interview transcript from "Tom Cottle: Up Close" May 18, 1983
- comments about seeing Nimoy in small parts in movies
- Snippits from Kangaland, regular column by Diane Marchant about Nimoy in the Australian news
- an article about the film "Vincent: Story of a Hero"
- fan letters, many about seeing Nimoy in "Vincent"
[from a fan's letter]:Leonard is essentially a gentle, sensitive man. His most brilliant performances such as "Vincent, Morris Meyerson, Martin Dysart, and Spock all testify to that assumption. I've read all of Leonard's works, thrilled to and understood "I Am Not Spock", was deeply touched by "You And I", and was profoundly affected by his performance in "Vincent: The Story of a Hero".
I went to Detroit, Michigan, to see Leonard in two performances of "Vincent". At the first performance, I made the mistake of being halfway down in the audience, and I missed any nuances of facial expression. However, on the second night, I was there on the third row and could view Leonard's performance close up. He was superb. (That is not to say that he wasn't equally so the previous night; however, this night I could almost look INTO Leonard and FEEL what he felt as Vincent Van Gogh.)
I was intrigued by comments made around me, one especially: "He's gorgeous and seems much younger than his pictures." I felt such pull toward the man. There is a mystical charisma about Leonard, and such enervism was created within me. I was drained, but at the same time, filled with empathy for Theo. Believe me, Leonard's "animal magnetics" does not come from the application of pointed ears.
There are those in fandom who say Spock gave to Leonard, that anyone else could have played Spock. I do not ascribe to that theory. To me, Leonard gave his untouchable quality Spock. Leonard is the one and only perfect Spock. He was made for the role.
Before I close, I would like to make one final comment. It has saddened me to think there are fans out there who blame Leonard, indeed, become hostile to him, for displaying traits similar to/or exactly like those that we swear are the qualities that make us love Spock.' Leonard is a unique and fare human being. Let us not overlook his specialness. Leonard may not be a "Lion"; he is more of a unicorn, a one of a kind find.
Issue 3
Renaissance: A Study of His Art 3 was published in Aug/Sept 1983 and contains 20 pages. It was edited by Ann Crouch, Vicky Caldwell, & Kate Birkel.
- clippings
- con reports for Space Trek II, see that page
- transcript of some of Nimoy's comments at the Q&A at Space Trek II
- fan letters comment on Space Trek II, on his photography book
- article/review of the book I Am Not Spock, see that page
- a review and comments by a fan who saw Nimoy in "Vincent" in 1979
- a report on Nimoy's appearance at Star Trek Houston, one item of interest is Nimoy's comments about wanting the role of Lestat in Interview with a Vampire
- zine ads
From the Star Trek Houston interview:
[Interviewer]: Q. About a year ago I heard that you were interested in doing the part of a vampire. Can you tell me about that?
[Nimoy]: A. Oh, well, yes. There was a book, a very interesting book, called "Interview With a Vampire" which I read some time ago, I think it was four or five years ago. And it was, to me, a unique approach to the vampire idea. The story is told from the vampire's point of view, about what it's like to be a vampire. What your life is all about and what it means to live all these hundreds of years; is that a good thing or a terrible thing? And the need for Human blood, which vampire's do have. I found it a fascinating study and at that time there was a producer at Paramount who had the rights to the book and I inquired about what was being done about it. And what happened, unfortunately, was... the project never got to the point of being made into a film. I interested in playing the role, but the picture never happened.
Issue 4
Renaissance: A Study of His Art 4 was published in Nov/Dec 1983 and contains 30 pages.
It was edited by Ann Crouch & Vicky Caldwell and published by Liz Bowling.
- Snippits from Kangaland, by Diane Marchant
- clippings and ads
- transcript of the Nimoy interview on April 14, 1982 on "The Charlie Rose Show"
- transcript of Nimoy's Q&A in Tokyo at the Imperial Hotel, for Starfleet Tokyo
- Nimoy in the news
[excerpt from fan's letter]: Each of us admires Mr. Nimoy for different and personal reasons. Some identify with the Spock character—for his gentle and non-violent nature, or for the conflict constantly raging inside him between his human and Vulcan sides, or for his alienness within a different culture? others are touched by one of Mr. Nimoy's non-Trek characters, or by his beautifully moving poetry in which he expresses thoughts and feelings that are common to all of us, but which most of us can’t put into words. What I am trying to say is that no matter what it is about him that we respond to, the important thing is that we do respond. He inspires us to love and reach out to others. He prompts us to keep working at whatever is important to us and not give up in discouragement. Through his own diverse accomplishments, he serves as an example to us as one who never gives up. Heaven knows, he fought his own difficult battles and faced his share of disappointments to get where he is now. Not only am I proud to be a Leonard Nimoy fan, but I am also grateful that my children have him to look up to. They are still so young, and I am trying to instill in them a sense of the important things in life — what better example could they have than Mr. Nimoy? I thank him for being the person he is.
Issue 5
Renaissance: A Study of His Art 5
Issue 6
Renaissance: A Study of His Art 6 was published in March-April 1984 and contains 20 pages.
