An exposition of Steampunk Form and Function is currently ongoing at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, in Waltham, MA. Their press release states…
Steampunk: Form and FunctionAn Exhibition of Innovation, Invention and Gadgetry
At The Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovations new exhibit Steampunk, Form & Function, and an Exhibition of Innovation, Invention and Gadgetry sponsored by Steampuffin modern technology meets the Victorian era.
Inspired by the works of authors like Jules Verne and H.G Wells, and grown out of the world of science fiction, steampunk has become a cultural phenomenon like that of the punk rock movement of the 1980s or the goth movement of the 1990s. Supporters of the movement describe steampunk as an alternate history where modern technology and Victorian life meet. At its core steampunk asks the question, what would the world look like if modern technology were available, when steam was king, corsets were mandatory and man was learning to fly? Since its inception in the 1980s, the movement has infiltrated mainstream fashion, art, interior design, literature, technology and entrainment. Elements of the movement can be seen on the runway of Paris, in home design stores across the country, in Hollywood productions and on gamers screens.
The Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation is the first museum in the country to feature an exhibit solely dedicated to the steampunk movement. Steampunk, Form & Function offers an informational and interactive look into the world of steampunk and all that it encompasses including, fashion, literature, entertainment and much more. On display visitors will find modern Victorian clocks, a spinning wheel that generates power, GPS and iPods devices with gears and gages, and a computerized carriage. They can play a game of interactive pinball and use Victorian computer stations to discover the origins of this technological Victorian world.
Encompassed in the exhibit are over thirty works of art from some of the world finest steampunk artists and amateurs. The artwork was submitted earlier this fall to the Museums Steampuffin Steampunk and Design Completion sponsored by Steam puffin and ModVic home design each submission uses authentic Victorian Era antiques and incorporates modern technology into them to create a new functional steampunk work of art. Competition winners were announced at the exhibit opening reception on October 22, 2010.
Steampunk, Form & Function is open now through May 11th, 2011. Admission is $5 for the general public and $3 for seniorsstudents; admission is free for children under six. The Museum is located at 154 Moody Street in Waltham, MA 02453. For more information visit http://www.crmi.org or call 617 893 5410.
About the Museum: The Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation is located on the scenic banks of the Charles River in the 19th century Boston Manufacturing Company textile mill complex, on the National Register of Historic Places as Americas first factory. The historic site has exhibits that allow visitors to explore the inventions that powered America into the modern-age – steam engines, generators, timepieces, machine tools, bicycles, automobiles, and hundreds of other innovations. The museum also offers a memorable backdrop for unique social or corporate events and functions. For more information, please visit www.crmi.org
Alas, I reside a bit south of the beautiful state of Massachusetts, but if one happens to be in the area, I’d certainly recommend a visit to what looks like a quite impressive Steampunk exhibition! For more details, please visit their website, at: http://www.crmi.org/exhibits/temporary-exhibits-at-crmi/steampunk-form-and-function-an-exhibition-of-innovation-invention-gadgetry/A pair of reviews of the event are here, from the Boston Globe, and from the local periodical, the Waltham News Tribune. A link to their site will be displayed on the Tribune’s sidebar for the duration of their display – for future reference!
