Fanfic Forensics

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Why is casting fanwork as 'open work' appropriate? I'll give a few reasons of my own and discuss several ways in which Eco's own writings supports a connection between fanwork and 'open work'.

• The idea of electronic text as open works is not a new one. Neither is casting fanwork as a politically significant 'open' system of texts. Several other proposed frameworks for examining fanwork also include 'openness' as a basic characteristic. This idea is hardly far out.
• Eco first wrote his theory in the sixties, but he later discussed the potential of hypertext for opening up closed and finite works. If new formats accompany new worldviews, one could argue that the way fanwork is created reflects these new worldviews -the new electronic formats and the particular production system of fandom (for example the 'gift economy').
• Eco has also made an explicit connection between 'open work' and what he calls 'informal' art. 'Informal' in this case meaning that they propose a more flexible version of an established form. I think a case can be made for many kinds of fanwork as 'informal' media in this sense of the word. (OW103)
• Eco didn't actually make the jump towards locating agency for creating 'open works' with the consumers of the work, but he did acknowledge the limitations of author-ordained 'open work'. His exact words were 'What in fact is made available is a range of rigidly preestablished and ordained interpretative solutions, and these never allow the reader to move outside the strict control of the author.'
• Eco has said that a reason for consumers to engage in 'open work' is that they are frustrated and desire to have a more rewarding text, or the most complete experience of a text that is possible. I think you could plunk that sentiment right into any discussion on fanwork. (OW78)
• One last reason is something we've already mentioned. The format of 'open work' develops because people need a new format to express their view of the world, and in that new consciousness, people desire not to look for existing structures but to construct their own new systems to deepen and change their understanding of things. I think this emphasis on production rather than contemplation is very appropriate to fanwork.