The Art of Steampunk: Extraordinary Devices and Ingenious Contraptions from the Leading Artists of the Steampunk Movement

239 Pages·2013·18.61 MB·English

by  Art Donovan

As presented by Oxford University’s Museum of the History of Science,
Steampunk is rooted in the aesthetics of Victorian technology. Yet it is not
a nostalgic recreation of a vanished past: its devices are both imaginative
and contemporary. The Steampunk exhibition, curated by Art Donovan,
revealed the many possible responses to Steampunk’s characteristic
preoccupation with the historical and the contemporary, the mechanical
and the fanciful. In imagining a Victorian future that has not come to
pass, Steampunk artists cast an oblique light on the present. But their
unrealized “futures” are more celebration than commentary. Steampunk
revels in the ingenuity and absurdity of the mechanisms produced and the
unqualified pleasure in creation. It is only fitting that the world’s first
museum exhibition of genuine Steampunk art premiered at the Oxford
University Museum of the History of Science, which houses the world’s
greatest collection of important scientific artifacts and devices. Now
Donovan is back with new artist profiles and a fresh look at what is
happening in Steampunk today.

© 2013 by Art Donovan and Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc., East Petersburg, PA.
Foreword © 2011 by Dr. Jim Bennett Cover art:
La Courtisane (courtesan), courtesy of Sam Van Olffen. Based on photos by Nadar.
The Art of Steampunk, Second Edition, is a revised edition, first published in 2013 by Fox Chapel
Publishing Company, Inc., East Petersburg, PA.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording
or otherwise, without prior permission of the copyright holder.
All images were taken and provided by the artists unless otherwise noted, and were collected
by Art Donovan.
The following essay was printed with permission: “Steampunk 101" by G. D. Falksen, page 70.
The quote on page 4 originally appeared in the article “Steampunk Art and Design Exhibits
in the Hamptons” by Eileen Casey, Hamptons.com. Reprinted with permission.
eISBN: 978-1-60765-090-4
ISBN: 978-1-56523-785-8
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Donovan, Art (Arthur W.), 1952-
The art of steampunk / Art Donovan ; foreword by Jim Bennett. -- Second Edition.
pages cm
Includes index.
Summary: “Welcome to the world of Steampunk: a unique fantasy version of nineteenth century Victorian
England imbued with today’s technology, resulting in devices and contraptions that seem to have sprung
from the mind of a mad twenty-first century scientist. The “steam” refers to steam power - as in fire-
breathing machines of antique locomotion. The “punk” is an important reference to an outsider attitude. In
The Art of Steampunk, 2nd Edition, you’ll discover the captivating and dynamic world of this emerging
genre through the creative vision of today’s leading Steampunk artists, all featured in the world’s first
museum exhibit of Steampunk, held at The Museum of the History of Science at Oxford University in
England. No longer satisfied with the plastic design of today’s mass-produced products, these artists are
crafting a romantic new standard for modern goods by applying the characteristics of Steampunk. Their
artwork consists of everything from jewelry and watches to light fixtures and clocks, every piece
demonstrating hours of painstaking work and unlimited devotion. You will find that many of the artists are
as unique and colorful as their masterpieces, often adopting alter egos of Victorian mad scientists and world
explorers, allowing themselves to become fully immersed in the imaginative and exciting world of
Steampunk. This expanded edition has added artist profiles and a look at what is happening in the world of
Steampunk since the exposition. “-- Provided by publisher.
ISBN 978-1-56523-785-8 (pbk.) 1. Art and technology--History--21st century. 2. Art, Modern--21st
century--Themes, motives. 3. Technology in art. 4. Steampunk culture. I. Title.
N72.T4D66 2013
709.05'107442574--dc23
2013002273
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call toll-free 800-457-9112 or visit us at www.FoxChapelPublishing.com.
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eBook version 1.0
Dedication
With love, for my beautiful wife, Leslie Tarbell Donovan, without whose talent
and vision, this exhibition and book would not have been possible.
Acknowledgements
I would like to acknowledge the generous support of the following individuals
and organizations and thank them for their gracious support.
Anne Surchin, American Institute of Architects
The American Hotel
Barber-Wilson Co, UK
Bethany Peters
Carleen Ligozio
Cory Doctorow
Deidre Woolard
Dr. Jim Bennett, Director, Museum of the History of Science
The Hamptons Antique Galleries
Joanne Molina
Laura Ashby, Museum of the History of Science
Lauren Sloan Weisman
Sam Van Olffen
Sara Brumfield
Sydney Padua
Margaret Hauser, Museum of the History of Science
Nick and Owen, Museum of the History of Science
Nick Ottens
The Sag Harbor Yacht Yard
Whites Pharmacy
Contents

Publisher’s Foreword
About the Author
Foreword
Introduction
The Evolution of Steampunk
Ann Pedro
Anna Dabrowska
Camryn Forrest
Evelyn Kriete
Filip Sawczuk
Jessica Joslin
Mikhail Smolyanov
Sam Van Olffen
Steampunk 101
The Artists
Amanda Scrivener (Professor Isadora Maelstromme)
Thomas Willeford (Lord Archibald “Feathers” Featherstone)
Cliff Overton (Mad Uncle Cliff)
Daniel Proulx
Eric Freitas
Haruo Suekichi
Ian Crichton (Herr Döktor)
James Richardson-Brown (Captain Sydeian)
Jesse Newhouse
Joey Marsocci (Dr. Grymm)