The Steampunk Librarian

the influence is gaining...

Ladies and gentlemen, we have found the ultimate steampunk, or at least the ultimate steampunk authentication. Hee.

 

Comic-Con is over, but the steampunk brigade was out in full force and even set a Guinness record, according to LA Weekly. And look at some of the merchandise that will be on the way soon!

 

On the other side of the country, Dances of Vice is getting ready for a Sunday brunch on August 6, with Voltaire appearing and the Japan TV station NHK shooting a documentary! Reserve a seat now before they're gone! (In a somewhat related vein, we're posting -- and encouraging others to post -- events over at the Steampunk Empire.)

 

The Falcon is a short stop-animation film that should appeal to any steampunky type.

 

Also bound to appeal: the LEGO work of V&A Steamworks!

 

Author Arthur Slade has started a "great moments in steampunk history" list over on his LiveJournal, and I hope it continues.

 

Monster Commute describes itself as having a "60s steampunk influence," which is a wonderfully anachronistic description. I support time anomalies whenever possible!

 

I also support steampunkish designs, like many on this list of 50 t-shirts. (Some, not so much. But they're all interesting, and available!)

a lightning-quick avalanche of links

Due to various real-life issues and a large amount of links to share, today's entry will be in bulleted, fragmented sentence format. Enjoy!

 

• Datamancer now has a blog!
• Warehouse 13, a new show on the sci-fi channel now called SyFy, is heavy on the steampunk.
• a 40-minute bio on H.G. Wells is online.
• Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre!
• Beats Antique, a band for the 21st century.
• How to make your own spats.
• Ice: A Victorian Romance. (Ice usually wins.)
• NYPL looks at Victorian fashion.
• Everyone was on opium and cocaine back in the good old days!
• The New York Tribune pages from 1909 onward.
• Mark your calendars now for the PanKinetic Exposition in April 2010!

of wheres and hows and whys

A variety of steampunky creations are in today's links for your perusal!

 

Issue #7 of the Gatehouse Gazette is now available.

 

Cherie Priest has created a whole world around her new Boneshaker series, and if you visit you can also read the first chapter of the book.

 

The good people at Racialicious have a fantastic entry on steampunk and the issues of colonialism and imperialism. I've always been uncomfortable with the Victorian attitude toward race and gender, and this essay points out the beauty of the steampunk concept - "The Victorian age was oppressive and colonialist; the steampunk subculture can allow for liberation and diversity." It's a future that never was, which means it can be an inclusive, diverse future rather than a restrictive, biased one.

 

And while we're talking about these sorts of issues, Myke Amend has written about steampunk as an art movement, and how it represents a move away from mass production and consumption.

 

Moving on to movies...Just Imagine, a 1930 film that imagines life in 1980, is now available at Amazon! I haven't seen this yet, but want to; it looks like great campy fun.

 

Edge of Twilight is a game set in a steampunk world. I have no idea if it's good or not, but it certainly looks pretty.

 

And finally, if anyone's in Austin, do check out the Big Top Candy Shop and let us know how it is!

steampunk art

The steampunk links are going to be broken up into two separate posts -- the second entry will be sometime later this week. Aren't you excited?

 

Today, it's (mostly) about tangible objects. Do you wear glasses and curse the pragmatic problems of goggles? Why not make light-up goggles for ornamental purposes, then?

 

Paul Fryer has created a "chess set for Tesla" that looks like it belongs in a mad scientist's parlor.

 

Steampunk t-shirts are starting to proliferate! This one is even winged.

 

I don't post many Etsy shop links, because once I started I would have dozens upon dozens of them to post, but the Interdimensional Imports shop is definitely worth a look. I think I want an Aether Patrol patch.

 

An artist known as Kezanti makes gorgeous, intricate sculptures in Brugges. Look at Shiva the tiger!

 

Dark Roasted Blend continues their series on amazing steampunk art and artists.