Showing posts with label steampunk art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label steampunk art. Show all posts

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Steampunk Fasion

Steampunk fashion is a subgenre of the steampunk movement in science fiction.



It is a mixture of the Victorian era’s romantic view of science in literature and elements from the Industrial Revolution in Europe during the 1800s. The fashion is designed with a post-apocalyptic era in mind.

Steampunk fashion consists of clothing, hairstyling, jewelry, body modification and make-up.


The beauty of steampunk fashion is that it is constantly evolving and despite all critics, it looks like it is here to stay. One of the main reasons behind this is that is the fact that this movement has no boundaries, possesses a life of its own and is based on the appeal for the old days, romanticism, nostalgia, while incorporates sci-fi and modern lines and features.

Steampunk Fasion
It is not just another trend in the fashion industry, but a philosophy and an ever-enriching and evolving culture. Whether it is the exquisite Victorian clothing and machinery, or the fascinating ideas inwrought in the movement, more and more people constantly get attracted and drawn to the movement. That is why we decided to create this website, in order to provide a great variety of quality neo-Victorian clothing, post-apocalyptic accessories and jewelry.


Anything from steampunk clothing such suits, dresses and corsets to neo-vintage goggles, bandanas, dresses and suits.


So, what are the basic rules of Steampunk Fashion you ask?


Steampunk fashion is a real-world reproduction of the clothing that is or could be found in steampunk literature. It’s that simple.

When in doubt, dress Victorian and then add. The Victorians were the first people to fully capitalize upon steam technology in a way that affected everyday life, so it is no surprise that most steampunk writing either takes place in the Victorian world or is strongly inspired by it. If you’re afraid that your outfit is “too Victorian” you’re probably doing it right!
Steampunk fashion is about creating an outfit that delights the senses, entertains the wearer, and engages the viewer. Never feel obliged to take away from the style or appeal of an outfit simply because you fear it will be “not steampunk enough.” Do not be misled, coerced, or second-guessed into including a collection of “steampunk status symbols” (goggles are the most infamous, though we do love them) if they do not fit with the outfit, or with the vision you are attempting to produce.
There is no “steampunk color.” Some people have claimed that steampunk is only brown, or only black, or only white, or only light, or only dark. They are wrong. Virtually any color can be steampunk (though perhaps one might balk at neon). If you like to wear black, there is a steampunk justification; if you like to wear brown, there is a steampunk justification; if you like to wear bright colors, there is a steampunk justification. Remember, steampunk is set in a world of comparatively advanced technology, so it is perfectly reasonable to have vibrant colors and complicated machine-made patterns.

You are allowed to like other genres. If you like a style of fashion that does not fit into steampunk (Enlightenment era, Pulp Adventure, Mod 60s, Medieval, etc.) be proud of it. Do not feel compelled to try and wedge it under the steampunk caption. These are all genres that people have worked very hard to create, expand, and explore; so we rather owe it to them to respect the diversity and uniqueness of their differences. You are all diverse and well-rounded people with differing interests. Let that be a source of pride.

Have fun and be yourself. That’s what this is about. Don’t feel compelled to conform with everyone else. Don’t feel shy about posting just because you don’t want to dress like the other people who you’ve seen post. And don’t post with the question “do you guys think this is steampunk enough?” Post with the statement “I feel that this is steampunk, and here is why I think so.” At worst, someone will disagree and then the two of you can discuss your conflicting views, get to know each other, and come to an understanding; or, you can simply feel free to ignore them, and you have every right to do so if you don’t feel like arguing over a simple difference of opinion.




 steampunkcenter,com


Thursday, June 16, 2016

About Steampunk Art

Steampunk art comes in all shapes and sizes, from pocket watches, to redesigned laptops, to entire vehicles or houses. Because the art is an expression of the individual, the scale of the art depends only on one’s passion and imagination. It may be realized in the casual tinkering of gadgets or in the designing and painting of vast and complex Victorian utopias. Be it in the eyes of an artist, a collector, or an appreciator, steampunk art can be found anywhere from the miniscule to the magnificent.



When it comes to determining whether an item is steampunk or if it is simply Victorian the difference can generally be found in the technology or inventiveness of a piece. Steampunk usually has very Victorian influences but it’s the modernization and reimagining of the work that sets the two styles apart. Steampunk art could often resemble what Victorian era dreamers would visualize when imagining what future technology might look like.


For those looking to create steampunk art a good starting point is to determine what materials to work with. Typically brass, copper, leather, glass, and wood are all authentic mediums for Victorian era constructions. Other materials, of course, can be used since steampunk is a reinvention of that period, but sticking to types of materials that could be created with steam powered technology will usually give your work a more typical steampunk look. Plastics and other such materials are generally avoided in many steampunk types of work since they are manufactured by more modern practices. Standard additions and accessories may includes items like rivets, gears, cogs, chains or other industrial type things but should only be included if it pertains to your vision rather than being added for the sake of making your art “look steampunk”.


Anyone looking to collect steampunk art may be fortunate enough to have a local art gallery which features such works otherwise you may have to take your search online. Sites like Etsy.com usually has handmade steampunk items or you can browse eBay.com or other specialty sites if you’re looking for specific pieces.

Flickering gas lamps puncture a thick London fog. A metallic, rhythmic noise begins to drown out the normal sounds of the evening. An army of copper clockwork automatons comes marching out of the darkness. Overhead, a looming dirigible barely clears the tallest buildings. Brass nozzles emerge from the airship’s gondola, blasting fire down upon the rooftops. This is the world of steampunk.


The term “steampunk” originally referred to speculative fiction — science fiction, fantasy and fictional historical tales — set in an alternate Earth’s 19th century. In this universe, Victorian inventors made great leaps in technological advancement with materials like iron and brass and using steam engines for power. From a fictional standpoint, real-life inventor Charles Babbage might have succeeded in building his proposed Difference Engine, an early computer. In reality, Babbage never saw his computational engine realized.

steampunkcenter.com

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Steampunk Food The victorian dining guide

Steampunk Food The victorian dining guide



STEAMPUNK FOOD and DINNER PARTY IDEAS- TIPS FOR RECIPES, GAMES AND DECORATIONS

Steampunk food reflects both an appreciation for the food and the method with which it was cooked. It is also a direct reflection of the people preparing it.

How to have a steampunk dinner party complete with recipes, decor and entertainment on the cheap.

The gears have been turning, trying to come up with as many ideas as possible for a child’s airship pirate/steampunk birthday party. This week my thoughts went to food, beyond the cake or cupcakes.

If I had a little girl who wanted a steampunk party, I would go with a tea party. I really like the idea of going around to all the area thrift stores and buying pretty teacup and saucer sets, so each guest has a unique teacup that is theirs to take home after the party.

I wouldn’t do that for a boy’s party, though. Despite a long standing family joke about DH and Blaze having MANLY tea parties, I don’t think that would go over well with the other little boys around here.



I think we need to stick to gears, airships, and pirates, with maybe a little “mad scientist” thrown in.

Steampunk Food
Steampunk Chocolate Airship
When planning your steampunk festivities, you should let your imagination play while planning the menu, entertainment and decorations. If you have a Victorian or retro-industrial space in your home, then you are more than halfway to your goal of creating a steampunk-appropriate venue for your party. The addition of a few more accessories, like vintage international travel posters, railroad, airplane, steamship or hot-air balloon memorabilia, or interesting Victorian bric-a-brac will finish your space nicely. If your home is more modern than steampunk, you can work with your living room, back or front yard, or even your garage, to create the right ambiance. Outdoor spaces, especially, can often be made to look like the “wilderness” or a “crash landing site” fairly easily. Another venue idea — especially if you’re planning a big bash — is to rent an empty airplane hangar, warehouse, or other old industrial space.



As for steampunk Food, A menu for “tea on an airship” can include bags of roasted peanuts “from the airship stewardesses”, as well as ship’s biscuits, dried salted fish, corned/salt beef and/or beef jerky. Portable food like “little savory pies” (pasties or meat-filled turnovers), canned and dried foods, and cured sausage don’t need refrigeration, were common on 19th century ships, and convenient for the steampunk “mad scientist”. Pickles and chutney are Victorian exotics that were brought, along with limes and other citrus fruits, to fight scurvy among sailors. Steampunk airships are run

with steam power, making hot surfaces a common occurrence for cooking things on; crumpets and small pancakes can be “baked on a red-hot coal shovel from the airship”, and puddings, dumplings, and eggs can be “boiled in the airship’s boiler room” or “over a laboratory burner” for the tea table. Mix some dried fruit with “hot water from the boiler” to make chunky jam or fruit compotes.




To allude to international travel during the 19th century, and the exotic places mentioned in Jules Verne’s books, consider including Asian, African and Latin American foods. The Victorian era was also a time of intense experimentation and the development of food science, resulting in “scientific” and “health food” like Graham flour, corn flakes and “patent” foods. All these are options for the steampunk table. Beverages should include English, Asian, or Chinese-style teas, but can also include popular Victorian alcoholic drinks such as port, rum and whiskey. You can even purchase steampunk-themed flavored tea blends, like Steampunk Airship and Back To The Lab blends from Adagio Teas.

Victorian food merged w/ molecular gastronomy. Spherified figgy pudding? Black pudding dust? An English breakfast terrine?
Gear-filled tartlettes; whole boiled potatoes; green glowing plasma.
I think a good tea, the dinner kind, with toast and cheese, such as an adventurer or tinkerer might enjoy.

Nothing green. Photosynthesis rarely happens in steampunk scenarios because the technology almost always creates environmental pollution and either blocks out the sun or drives people underground or to ocean. I always envision a diet of potatoes and tuber veggies. I think the cooking method is always heavy steaming or an unconventional open high heat source like a radiator, batteries or butane lighters. The foodstuffs would be highly preserved like pickled radishes and cured meats.

I think steampunk embraces the innovative and transformative, the implications of a super science without limits. Food that has those aspects in preparation, presentation, or taste seems to fit. Surprises, doing something completely unexpected with the available tools and parts. The more impossible seeming the better. I chose popcorn since it’s transformation is itself so remarkable. Toast actually has that kind of feel, bread slices vanishing into a metal box with two narrow slots to be returned with a new texture and taste.
Things that can be flambed in creative ways. Anything steamed and steamable, especially at the table. Pressure cooking.

Bon Apetit and have fun with making and eating your Steampunk Food!