Steampunk?

[ToucheGA]

Originally Posted by GoCUBS1

Was the book Hugo considered Steampunk? I read it and saw the movie last year and it was set in the Paris railway (early 1900's?) with lots of steam/mechanical systems as the backdrop. I took my 10 y.o. son to the opening day of that movie and thought it was one of the coolest films I had ever seen. So glad it got nominated for an Oscar.

Also, I think there is a current push in our elem/middle schools to recommend steampunk literature to students. I remember seeing a book list come home about it. I do want to learn more about this as it sounds like something my son would love.

I don't think the movie itself embraces the steampunk culture, at least not in the way The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Wild Wild West did.. However, the idea of building an android with the technology that existed in during that time period would probably appeal to some steampunk circles.

[Chango]

Another movie that had a great alternative steampunk look was "A Series of Unfortunate Events".

It looked kinda like what would have happened if the Victorian age continued straight into the 1950's It's also one of the only movies that had Jim Carrey in it but that I can still stand to watch.

[TracySam]

I've loved steampunk art for a while now, but only recently learned there was a name for it. I go to juried art fairs a lot, and bought sculptures of weird animals with clockwork attachments that look sort-of half-robot. I have a collection of birds by this artist:
Mullanium by Jim & Tori
but never knew this was "steampunk."

Then recently I watched an episode of Selling New York on HGTV, and this whole apartment was decorated with vintage-industrial-clockwork-steam engine type decor, and the realtor found out it was "steampunk" and held a open house there, inviting artists from the steampunk community. I was like "Ah-ha!'

Once I learned the word for this type of art, I did more research, and learned it started with a genre of science fiction writing, but grew into a whole artistic movement. I'm noticing more & more movies that have a steampunk aesthetic--Like Terry Gilliam's "Brazil."

I have also bought lots of steampunk jewelry--made up of vintage watch parts.

[Cyborgt800]

Then there are the older NIN videos...like "Closer".

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by TracySam

I've loved steampunk art for a while now, but only recently learned there was a name for it. I go to juried art fairs a lot, and bought sculptures of weird animals with clockwork attachments that look sort-of half-robot. I have a collection of birds by this artist:
Mullanium by Jim & Tori
but never knew this was "steampunk."

I absolutely LOVE this collection! Thanks for the link. There is a gallery near me that I plan on checking out. My spouse is a mechanical engineer who is into building steam engines (no, he's not a geek!) and I love bird artwork. These steampunk birds seem like the perfect art form for us. We may start a collection.

BTW, Wikipedia has an extensive list of steampunk works...

List of steampunk works - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2011 movie Hugo is on this list. It really did feel steampunk to me, but I'm no expert. I remember thinking that the android would be a cool piece of artwork to display.

[TracySam]

The couple who make the birds travel around to art fairs in several states. We catch them each year in Lancaster County PA around Labor Day. Maybe they'll come to a fair in your area? Also, you might search for the guy's name and "bird sculpture" and you can sometimes find them for sale online.

[moonwatcher]

There are lots of Steampunk events and outings in NYC. It is becoming more mainstream lately. It encompasses many different genres and themes from Victorian to early wild west, just add a touch of anachronism.

[hamellr]

I'm an avid SteamPunk fan too. I just wish I had a lot more time to indulge in it. I did have the opportunity to work the photo room at a SteamPunk convention a few years ago, and got to see some awesome costumes.

[Sonic_Spork]

Apologies for reviving an old thread, if that is distasteful to anyone. I just found it via forum search.

I'm attending my first Steampunk themed event and designing my first Steampunk costume...pretty excited about it. I'm an artist on the side (when I have time) and love to do costuming projects, so I'm really looking forward to this.

I saw an episode of some "Oddities" spin off show the other night, don't recall the name but it featured more in depth looks at the lives and homes of some of the people who have appeared on Oddities, and the oddball community in general in NY. A couple who were REALLY into Steampunk (I was jealous of their workshop) was featured. The gentleman mentioned that he didn't really sympathize with the "punk" part of the name, it's "more steam than punk" is what he said. I was pondering this statement in an idle moment...it seems to me that the appellation "punk" is appropriate when viewed a certain way. Not the 80's green mohawk and combat boots way... Rather the fact that punk culture was always serious about repurposing and DIY. I remember the first real punks I became acquainted with, who were stunned that their style was making its way into expensive clothing shops, when they made most of their clothes using old, discarded items they salvaged. From that standpoint, it certainly makes more sense. Steampunk is absolutely about taking old "junk" and discarded items and repurposing them to create this asthetic. And there is no inherent rejection of modern technology...so long as it is encased in a Steampunk "wrapper"...I've seen computer cases, keyboards and other peripherals modified to fit the look with wood and brass fittings.

Other films that had a Steampunk asthetic element:

Hellboy II Rise of the Golden Army--I love this movie, and the man made of gas in his suit, as well as all of the clockwork golden robots are very Steampunk looking.

The Golden Compass--This book series and film have become commonly enough incorporated by Steampunk afficionados that I have seen a number of Steampunk "characters" take the name of Lyra, the main character, and also crafted items for sale online that bear names taken from the book.

I love how many fringe trend genres overlap in places. Steampunk absolutely overlaps Goth, and not only sci-fi but also fantasy, and the entire world of roleplaying and cosplay, "the convention geeks" as I call it (lovingly.)