3D: Steampunk Research & Reflection

Artist: Mac McGowan et al.

Mac Mc Gowan is a steampunk artist and artisan. He hand makes steampunk brass and leather goggles as well as other wearable accessories incorporating leather, fine metals, found items and clockworck pieces as well as different types of scavenged and re-purposed items. These goggles 'have been featured in film, television, and on stage with the band Abney Park among others.'

He was also a leathercraftsman at the age of 10, and so had prior knowledge of how to work leather, and only started his independent work in 2005.

The Steampunk: User's Manual:

Steampunk, also known as retro-futurism, is 'incredibly versatile'. We can see it when 'hipsters' wear suspenders, leather boots, vintage clothing and handle bar moustaches. This fashion trend goes hand in hand with the vintage lifstyle as both (moreso the later) are based in victorian era fashion.

According to "The Steampunk: User's Manual" Goggles and gears, pocket watches and brass keys are Steampunks 'cliches', but also an 'easy shorthand' [...] as they are easily translatable accross all media and serve a purpose'". Reading this, I have come to realise that it's this shorthand that I have latched onto for this porject. However, I have realised this to late but will take it on board for any future projects. This will help me develop my ideas further and explore the many possibilities I was not aware of prior to this research. This has further highlighted that I really need to do my research prior to starting a project, as many tutors and teachers, alike, have told me in the past. It's just a hard habit to get into, but it's a key skill and habit to have.

Artist Paige Gardner Smith says "Steampunk is recycling [...] We've taken a 'used' era and refurbishedand fitted it with modern, forward thinking elements to give it a second life as Steampunk. This recycling history allows authors, costumers, designers and more creative minds to select the best aspects of Victoriana - the romantic flavours, the aesthetics - while altering the history with some political corrections and improvements - especially from a feminist and multicultural perspective." This encourages the artist to explore their culural heritage and draw their inspiration and personal style from that.

A quote that really stuck with me from the book mentioned above was 'Another way to think about getting somewhere new is to let unusual items inspire you.' I feel like this is a nicer way of saying use lateral thinking.

Reading this book, I came across a word that I think might inspire my next project, whether it's for my portfolio or just for myself. That word being 'bio-punk'. I think my work will somehow be influenced by this genre, described as "biology + cyberpunk a subgenre of science fiction which explores the societal effects of biotechnology and genetic engineering." by Oxford Dictionary.

This project has really shown me how much I am unaware of when it comes to Steampunk. Such as the fact that it could be about different versions of reality in which history played out differently, or reimagining how myths and legends turned out, etc. This opens up new worlds and characters to develop through storytelling, costume making or making an actual set and designing outfits for said characters.

Victorian Era London 1837-1901

https://www.pinterest.fr/natashatheresep/victorian-era-research/

Named after Victoria who was named queen in 1837.

Bibliography:

https://www.gothicplus.com/steampunk-bronze-octopus-eye-monocle

https://www.steampunkgoggles.com/featured-artists/mac-mcgowan/​

http://www.steambaby.net

https://www.steampunkgoggles.com/product-tag/steambaby/

https://beyondvictoriana.com/2013/04/21/beyond-french-steampunk-multiculturalism-with-maurice-grunbaum/

The Steampunk: User's Manual by Jeff VanderMeer & Desirina Boskovich