“Steampunk – Tomorrow as it Used to Be” – October 15-November 27 – Oamaru, New Zealand.

| October 16, 2011

ALERT!!!!

DON’T FIGHT IT,

ITS BIGGER THAN BOTH OF US

2011 “Steampunk: tomorrow as it used to be” exhibition is underway!

Opening 15th October
Closing 27th November
The Forrester Gallery,
Thames St., Oamaru
Steampunk – Tomorrow as it Used to Be

Polmugater

| November 20, 2010

This is the first of what is likely to be many posts covering the New Zealand's The League of Victorian ImagineerThey have a great blog and run a yearly exhibition and fashion show.  The next fasion show will be at Oamaru Opera House on the 5th June 2011.

Here is the first peice I m covering called the Polmugater made by Literacy North Otago students:

The Intergalactic Promulgation Transmogrification Appliance is a draw card at the Steampunk Exhibition at the Forrester Gallery in Oamaru, New Zealand. It is the result of an outpouring of creative genuis from a group of people working together under the umbrella of Literacy North Otago. This project has brought people together from a diverse background and has allowed them to develop skills and explore new areas of creativity. Literacy for us includes a wide range of skills and competencies and a project like this has enabled many to be further developed.

After the cut there is a great video of the making of the Polmugater.

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The Steampunk Town of Oamaru, New Zealand

| November 13, 2010

I seem to recall recent talk from steampunks who wanted to create their own steampunk town. One place has actually taken the idea to heart. Oamaru, New Zealand, a town which annually celebrates their Victorian heritage, has recently seen the local interest in steampunk skyrocket.

Through the effort of the League of Victorian Imagineers, the people [...]

The Victoria computer – a new Steampunk gem!

| October 26, 2010

Received an email from a Mr. G. Huisken from New Zealand, who sent in images of his latest project – the Victoria computer!   I must admit, when I first saw it, I was quite impressed with the outstanding attention to detail, not only including very nice brass work on the Victoria.
The Victoria meshes not only a health amount of brass-work, but its frame is built from recycled Rimu, a local native red pine.  The wood finishing and scored marking of the main structure add a very debonair workman feel to his endeavor.
More than just another pretty face, the insides of the Victoria shows is has the processing power necessary to be an efficient data processing machine - stylish and utilitarian!  
I did enjoy the details with the gages and meters on the sides and the brass finial around the gages – a very nice touch as well!
One might claim an issue with a traditional keyboard, but from personal experience with old typewriters, they may seem nice, but a modern keyboard is perhaps more practical.  No issues with having to press sticky keys or jamming one’s fingers between the typewriter keys!
The USB port surrounded by brass, along with the engraving is perhaps one of the details that immediately caught my eye.  Often times, this small detail is overlooked, but Mr. Huisken make it a beautiful focal point of the Victoria – just like the classic craftsmen of the era!
All and all, an outstanding work by Mr. Huisken, infusing classic Steampunk details into a modern device.  Kudos sir – I’m certain to be looking forward to your next project!

Steampunk vs. Zombies

| October 7, 2010

Mat Haydn writes

“Last year I finally fulfilled a long-held dream of mine to attack the annual Hallowe’en Zombie Walk (in Wellington, New Zealand) with a group of “zombie hunters” (wielding nerf guns and air cannons). To make it a bit more fun we dressed as Steampunk Zombie Hunters. The zombies weren’t in on it, but played along… we were slaughtered in under a minute :)

Here’s the video: http://vimeo.com/7373475

But this year it’s going to be different! With my friends we’ve set up an official  Website and we’re running a small pre-Hallowe’en game too. Should be fun and hopefully something your readers might enjoy or get involved in.”