Magic of Middle-Earth Exhibition, Novium Museum, Chichester

Last year I managed to get to the “Magic of Middle-Earth” Exhibition at the Novium Museum in Chichester, two days before it closed. But I’m glad I did slide in near the end as it was a packed gallery with plenty for fans of Tolkien’s work. For those of you who couldn’t make it, here’s a few photos to enjoy.

A game-changing fantasy world

JRR Tolkien was a man of many talents, spending many years as a professor at Oxford College, a place he himself graduated from. His first visit to Middle Earth was in The Hobbit, a children’s book he wrote for his own children that he went on to subsequently publish. Demand for a sequel led him to write The Lord of The Rings, taking ten years to flesh out his fantastical world and its history.

The books became a hit, becoming immensely popular in the sixties and staying so ever since. The film adaptations of the early 2000’s led to a further spike in interest that has led to more films, TV series, video games, and more.

I love Lord of the Rings. Both my parents were fans, and one of my earliest memories is my mother reading me The Hobbit as a bedtime story. So Chichester Museum’s unofficial exhibition was a treat to view. The whole of the top floor was filled with an array of artefacts. Posters, books, movie props, games, toys, and fantastic artwork depicting various scenes and characters. Music from the famous films played as you walked around, adding an extra sensory layer to the experience.

The enduring life of Middle-Earth

It was amazing to see how many pieces there were from many people who’d all been inspired by Tolkien’s works to produce their own artwork and more based in Middle Earth.

In fact, one of the information boards noted how expansive the world of Middle Earth is and that really The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit only show a small part of it. The characters encounter the ruins of previous civilisations and the map in Lord of the Rings shows places they never visit. Those same characters tell stories and sing songs laden with history from different cultures. This makes it a particularly appealing space for other people to expand on with their own imaginings and probably counts for some of its enduring popularity.

World building, whether it be fantasy or not, is hugely important in any story. If you can make it feel like it exists outside of the tale you’re writing that’s a powerful hook.

It is a shame the exhibition couldn’t be permanent, but for a fan like myself it was great to visit. And it acted as a good reminder, that when you send your work out into the world, it’s never going to entirely belong to you again.

What do you think? Are you a fan of Tolkien and his works? Have you ever created your own work based in another author’s world? Let me know in the comments.

Related reads

Walking in Middle Earth – Puzzlewood

Where Tolkien Taught – Merton College, Oxford

Beren and Luthien – J.R.R. Tolkien’s Grave, Wolvercote, Oxford

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