August 2014, Issue 1
Ever wanted to talk to your time traveling friend across dimensions? See page 8
Read an interview with Andrew Chase about his amazing crafts of animal machinery. See page 12
New to the steampunk fashion? G.D. Falksen can tell you how to make you steampunk outit with the right amount of steam.
Ever wanted to make a pair of goggles on your own? Read about Matthew DeMaris’s adventure of creativity. See page 69
see page 66
Steam Punk Events for 2014 Photo by Julien Dartois
WARP Departments TECHNOLOGY
6 8 10 30
Galaxy Cups Designed to Look Good and Function Well Review on the newest technology in dinning wear.
he Wonderful and Amazing Inter dimensional Radio
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22 24
About the best communication between dimensions since interstellar postage.
New Age Medical Interface Introducing the newest medical advancement in interacting with patients via computer.
Snooze Button Time Traveler Sets Coordinates For 5 Minutes Into he Future Learn about the new concept of time travel of the 21st Century.
ART
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he Machine Maker: Andrew Chase An Interview about an artist who makes artiicial animals.
Steam Cicada Print by Andrew Ghrist About the artist’s lithography print inspired by steampunk.
August 2014 Issue 1
Steampunk Review: Whimsy and Wings Company creatives tell about their automaton works.
Imagining of the Future About Ian McQue and his work.
he Art of J.P. Targete An in depth look into the life of a great fantasy artist.
TOURISM
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Las Vegas: Decor is Steampunk, the Dining Eclectic at New Eatery
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Steampunk Events for January 2014
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Steamcon attracts over 1,700 people to Seattle
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Journey to the Steampunk World’s Fair
Experience dinning in gear style.
Find some recommended events that you don’t want to miss!
Hear about the hottest Steampunk event to hit Seattle.
Get an account irsthand from a parent about her son’s and her voyage to a steampunk event.
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Sullen Time-Traveling Teen Reports 23rd Century Sucks Reccomendation from a teen suggests that the past may be more interesting to visit as long as paradoxes are avoided.
MUSIC
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Band Review: Steam Powered Girafe
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2Cellos Review
HEALTH
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Distant Planet Terriied It Might Be Able To Someday Support Human Life Time travelers in space may pose a threat to an innocent celestial being.
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Disgusted TSA Agents Also Calling For End To Body Scanning, horough Pat-Downs New travel regulations save most of the dignity of passengers and makes work more hygenic for security.
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Man From Future Can’t Stop Living In he Less-Far-Into-he-Future
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Hunter-Soldier From Future Warns: ‘Beware he Digital Pets’
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Read about the emotional problems that can make time travel complicated.
Crazy man could be right about the evil of Tomagatchi pets.
Tips For A Successful Marriage Healthy mental tips for when you start a relationship in the furture.
Read about a band unique to the face of music with their own steampunk style.
Hear what Jamie Lincoln had to say about Youtube’s sensation that combines traditional music with electronic elements.
FASHION
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A Sense Of Structure: Steampunk Fashion Rules
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Steelpunk Sheielf Goggle Project
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‘Elementary’ Set Design: Some Clues to Sherlock’s Steampunk Look
Do’s and Don’ts of steampunk fashion and how to improve your steampunk style.
One man’s quest for his concept of fashion and the process of creation.
About the fashion inluences of steampunk behind the movie style design.
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Steampunk Fashion will Gear you up for a Re-imagined Past A look into the general concept of steampunk fashion and how it draws from liturature and ilm inluences. 3
Photo (Let and Above) by Eszter Imre
Galaxy Cups Designed to Look Good and Function Well By he Doctor Swedish Porcelain designer, Eszter Imre, has created and perfected many types of vessels for various uses. From a teapot with two spouts to cups of many shapes and sizes, her designs give a stunning look with thought out functions. One does not appreciate the function of her recent work until one has dropped a cup of scorching espresso into their lap while hitting some rough particles in the time vortex. Time travel can be rough, even with all the rewards of experiencing the future and/or past, so having something small to help in just a small area can work wonders for your view on life. My experience with the new and improved Galaxy Cups has been delightful with a step up from the primitive mug cup.
The series now come in several sizes. The newest size, a 0.4 liter cup, is perfect for larger amounts of warm or cold beverages. Other sizes include a cappuccino cup and espresso cup. The rings around the cup create a safe distance from the heat or cold of the contents for the best comfort. They also act as a grip in case you encounter any turbulence on your voyage. Traveling through space and time can be tough so why make it harder with cumbersome dishes that break every time you hit an abnormality in your wormhole to your destination?
When traveling, you need to think of packing light and Made with a shatterproof porcelain base and coated with smart. The Galaxy dinning wears are easily stack able silicone enforced glass, the Galaxy set is perfect for any and fit perfectly into a small space. The larger cups time traveler on the go. It is compatible with any heating have the rings aligned closer with the surface while the device including microwaves, campfires, laser beams, smaller cups stick out more to match the circumference. and so on. This strong dinning wear could possibly The design is clean, smooth and attractive in any time double as a weapon to ward off any attackers that cross machine or space ship dinning block. your path.
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he Wonderful and Amazing Inter dimensional Radio By Corey Wolfe
Have time traveling friends, but find yourself unable to keep in the same time line? The Inter dimensional Radio breaks the barrier of time and space to send your message to a traveler in another dimension. The break through the mesh of time, the machine emits a high frequency through the loops so fast that your voice travels through time. Some tuning may be required to be sure you are talking to the right dimension at the right time. There are two adjustment dials on the back to change the level of dimension and time the message will be sent. It is recommended to end your message with what time and dimension level you are in so other travelers can respond to you at the right time. Paradoxes are likely to happen if one starts talking backwards in time in effect possibly giving spoilers to their future. The radio waves are scrambled to any device besides the 8
Inter dimensional Radio, therefore, there won’t be any worry if you need to send a message to a time where radio waves are being monitored. People of that time may believe it is a message from aliens, but at least it will prevent a paradox and widespread panic. When you don’t have a travel buddy with you, just make new friends through time and space with this new device. It has been well rated by travelers who have invested in purchasing this device and is starting to grow in use. It is rumored that Macintosh is trying to designed a higher tech of the Inter dimensional Radio, but at a higher price.
Photo (Above) by Coey Wolfe
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New Age Medical Interface By Michael Kometer This interactive touch screen presentation is an outstanding example for the importance of nice interfaces. With them you are able to show information in a whole new way and exploring data is an adventure every time! We created a vertical interactive touch screen presentation that was controlled by a mobile device. We only focused on the futuristic design and the beautiful interfaces . Our aim – the future is here and now! Our touch screen presentations bring the future directly to your exhibition stand, shop, museum, hospital or even your TV show or movie! No pre rendered elements! It’s real-time! http://youtu.be/EAgLTVMdAFQ Photo (Right) by Michael Kometer 10
The Machine Maker: Andrew Chase By Lance Bowder
Andrew Chase is a widely known sculptor and commercial photographer. You’ll probably be able to identify as his creation a breath-taking series of mechanical animals, made out of automobile transmission parts, electrical conduit, plumbing parts and sheet steel, with approximate measurements of 36” x 36” x 18” and 85 lbs. of weight. Being also a welder, Chase takes pride in assembling each metal piece where it fits best, injecting the overall piece with a grace and beauty that extraordinarily resembles the natural. All his pieces are articulated and capture the natural movement of the animal in question. Sometimes, just by looking at their expressions, one gets a feel that they are somehow infused with life force. With a wonderful eye for intense angles, and beautiful lightening, as well as an incredible skill to create digital worlds that come alive, is that he knows how to recreate graciously the animals’ movements for the camera. Pictures in different poses from this metallic wildlife you will find in the book Robot TM or “Trionic Morphatractable Engineer”. Based in Salt Lake City, US, Andrew Chase also uses 12
his art and assemblage skills to make modern furniture and is well known for using recycling materials in his furniture as well as in his sculpture. He sells his pieces online and through galleries and accepts commissioned pieces. We advise you to not miss out on his photography and digital art, either. This multidisciplinary artist is, in everything he does, awe-inspiring. MDM: Andrew, we appreciate you taking the time to respond to this interview and are delighted to present your work to our readers. Tell us a bit about yourself, please. Were you born in Salt Lake? When do you start developing an interest in assemblage and visual arts?
Photo (Above) by Andrew Chase ANDREW CHASE: I was born and raised in and around Boston, Massachusetts. I moved to Utah when I was nineteen to be a white water raft guide, stayed to attend college, and have lived here ever since. I became interested in art when I was about fourteen or fifteen and started making sculptures about six years ago.
“I became interested in art when I was about fourteen or fifteen and started making sculptures about six years ago.”
MDM: The mechanical, robotic element is present throughout your range of artistic expressions. Is the metallic, sophisticated and at the same time melancholic feel of the robotic that inspires you or your art reflects visions of alternate futures? ANDREW CHASE: That’s an interesting question. I’m definitely interested in creating a cohesive body of 13
work in which each animal/sculpture fits into a larger alternate reality. I’m also fascinated and inspired by robots and intricate machinery of all kinds. So, a bit of both I’d say. MDM: What is the most common recycled component in your sculptures and furniture? ANDREW CHASE: Automotive transmission bearings. A local transmission shop lets me poke through their recycling bin looking for treasure. I get the impression they think I’m a little odd, but since I bring fresh donuts whenever I stop by they’re happy to let me hunt. MDM: How does the idea of the mechanical animal collection originate? And what was the most cumbersome challenge to overcome in its creation?
ANDREW CHASE: I worry a lot about overpopulation. We can either have a high standard of living for everyone or a large global population, but not both...
“We can either have a high standard of living for everyone or a MDM: Your favorite artist of all time would be… large global population, ANDREW CHASE: Number one but not both...” is Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss). Hr
ANDREW CHASE: The animals started out as props and characters in “Timmy”, a book I wrote and photographed. I really enjoyed making the metal beasties and after I finished the book I continued to make mechanical animals that would fit into the world I had envisioned. The most challenging and rewarding part with all the sculptures has been discovering ways to make rigid metal emulate fluid animal movement and then finding the right balance between range of motion and realism. MDM: Your furniture pieces are absolutely stunning. How perfectionist is Andrew Chase in his art? ANDREW CHASE: That’s tough one, depending on the project and who you ask, somewhere between mildly anal retentive and annoyingly obsessive compulsive. 14
MDM: What social issue do you worry about the most and why?
Geiger is a close second. MDM: What other projects do you have in the pipeline and how can people acquire “Trionic Morphatractable Engineer”? ANDREW CHASE: Right now I’m working on a horse, and a polar bear is next in line. I’d really like to make an owl with functional wings, but feather mechanics have me stymied at the moment. As for the trionic morphatractable engineer AKA “Timmy” I haven’t found a publisher for it so I’m planning on releasing it online under a Creative Commons License sometime in the next three months. MDM: It’s been absolutely great to know a bit more about you and your famous works, Andrew. All the best in your future endeavors!
Photo (Far Right, Upper and Lower Let ) by Andrew Chase 15
Steam Cicada Print by Andrew Ghrist By Jonathan Bergeron
I like bugs and crawly things as long as they are outside or like my tarantulas in their cages. It’s cicada time in parts of the USA right now as the 17 year chirping little devils comes out to play and get their freak on. While I’m not a real fan of them since cicadas are not all that interesting I did get real interested in this print when I saw it. Andrew Ghrist is the artist and wow did he do a killer job on his Steampunk Cicada print that is all hand drawn. I asked Andrew how he came up with the idea: When I moved to the Midwest (Chicago) I had never seen a cicada before, and was just fascinated by them and their shells. I just ran with the idea that they stayed burrowed underground for years and they looked fairly mechanical.-Andrew 16
The regular full color one is a 7 layer He also has blue variant on 110lb screen print 12”x24” printed on Snow Cone French paper with an 100lb Madero Beach French paper. edition of 40. With a signed and numbered edition of 85
He has these and bunch of other very well done nature prints for sale in his Etsy Store. I recommend that you check out all his work.
Photo (Above) by Andrew Ghrist
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Steampunk Review: Whimsy and Wings By Carolyn F. Keogh Photo (Above) by Kyle Miller In a world where one’s cup can constantly be filled with excess and the newest this-and-that, a growing group of whimsical and imaginative people are contributing to a hopeful future. Not one based on the present state of things, mind you: these steampunks, as they are known, have 20
taken a leap back to a time when top hats, bustled skirts and monocles were the height of style, and have been reworking and re-imagining technology, culture, art and fashion from the Victoria era. Under the vast umbrella of science fiction, the emerging aesthetic represents both
a yearning for a more hopeful time in history, and imagines a world in which the Victorian ideals and innovations moves forward in time with the technology of the age. Thin Gypsy Thief is a woodworker and luthier on Vancouver Island,
currently working almost exclusively with a steampunk aesthetic. He is also known as Kyle Miller, and is a well-spoken and extremely dapper fella. He creates beautiful guitars and rebuilt amplifiers, as well as functional pieces like goggles and replica props, and more recently, fully functioning automata.
by automata, and there are some incredible masters of this type of work out there. I think the root of this stuff is about people having fun and being playful. It’s rewarding to being involved in something I sat down with Mr. Kyle Miller on akin to a foggy morning on the island to alchemy discuss his work. It was interesting to hear that he hadn’t initially set out – people’s eyes light to make ‘steampunk’ art. up when they “I guess people started applying the see something label before I did. It was a style that that piques the had always stood out to me in other imagination.” media. Movies, for example, like City He became more deeply of Lost Children, Brazil and more recently Wild Wild West, The Time involved with the subculture of steampunk this year, attending the Machine, and Back to the Future Victoria Steampunk Exposition and 3. I specifically liked sort of the polished look of the props, as though VCON (Vancouver’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention). they might have been made in the present time. Once I realized that ‘steampunk’ was what I was doing, I “I like that as a community, as a subculture, steampunk is relatively just kind of accepted it. ” free of judgment. It is pretty inclusive and it encourages a ‘do it Kyle continued to work with this yourself ’ kind of ethos. The level of aesthetic, producing a substantial inclusion and support people find, body of work. He documents most of his work from concept to creation combined with that DIY style gives people a lot of confidence to make in detail on his website. In many ways, his art is for the part of us that their own stuff and be creative. Everyone gets kind of a fair shot at remains imaginative and curious. expressing themselves and reaching out to the community for support.” “I think of the bare bones of a machine such as a guitar amplifier, and I think about how I’d remake it. Although Kyle lives well outside of any major city, he told me that I like to see the machine working, so I try to limit things that cover the he hasn’t found geography to be as much of a challenge as it might mechanics. I am really fascinated
have been to an artist promoting his work before the advent of popular social networking media like Twitter and Facebook. “There’s a huge support network for steampunk on both the east and west coasts of the United States, so utilizing a website that is linked to my social network, and being active in steampunk forums like brass goggles has gone a long way to get my work out there.”
“I like to see the machine working, so I try to limit things that cover the mechanics.”
Kyle is hoping to be open again for commissions of his work towards the end of January. Admirers of his work can look forward to a greater focus on luthiery and instrument components in the New Year. Connect with him via twitter @ steampunk22, Facebook or email steampunk.22@gmail.com.
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Imagining of the Future By Charley Parker Ian McQue is a concept artist, illustrator and art director for the gaming industry. He is currently working for Rockstar North, and gaming aficionados will recognize the several Grand Theft Auto titles to his credit, along with an number of other games. McQue works in both traditional and digital media, the latter including Photoshop, Illustrator and 3d Studio Max. When not working, McQue likes to add to his flotilla of steampunk airships. Wonderfully realized, improbably heavy, they appear battered and patched, as though the aerial equivalent of the junks and salvaged ships one might find in an off the map Pacific port, trading in God-knows-what, plying the currents in the grey skies of another place or time. You can find a nice big introductory batch of his flying ships on Concept Ships, where his work was chosen for the Monthly header this month. You’ll find more of his on his blog, along with some of his nicely gestural sketches. There is also a gallery on CGHub. Photo (Right) by Ian McQue 22
he Art of J.P. Targete By Gary Evans
Photo (Above) by J.P. Targete
To create successful fantasy art requires a very particular set of skills. Along with the obvious technical ability, an artist must be able to conjure not just the odd character or structure from imagination, but an entire world. For the likes of NCSoft, Wizards of the Coast and Fantasy Flight Games, JP Targete journeys deep into his imagination, cuts off a large chunk of the netherworld and drags it kicking and screaming into this one. At least that’s what it looks like goes into his art works. “It’s extremely liberating working with fantastic themes,” says JP. But there’s a risk inherent in anything that requires such a deep immersion: “It can detach you from reality at times.” And with that the netherworld theory takes a step closer to becoming fact.
“I try to observe the real world with both a technical and physical mind-set but also in an emotional and spiritual way.”
world as a manual: “I store the technical information regarding light, form, texture surface, color in my mind, for later use in my imaginative stuff.” Drawn into effect during the creative process: “I’m able to bring realism and emotion to my fantasy works.”
Emergence of style: With diligence, a style will emerge. Interestingly, this happened for JP Natural born drawer: while he still worked exclusively with Born in New York, JP was raised traditional media. This wasn’t due to in Miami, Florida. His father is an any real aversion to pixels: “I would architect and so naturally, drawing have worked digitally a while back became a part of his life. “I was but the tools weren’t able to mimic always fascinated with drawing,” traditional back then.” he notes, but despite the obviously JP now works about half-and-half strong influence of Targete senior’s traditional to digital. Advances in technical drawing, “I was drawing software have reached the point more organic and character-driven where boundaries are blurring: type stuff.” “I’ve learned to imitate traditional This shows a degree of willfulness materials with my digital work.” that helps to explain something of Given the painterly feel of his work, JP’s subsequent development into a Reality check: this is no mean feat. fantasy artist. However, art school Sure enough, those times of The danger digital production came first, and with it recognition detachment are when you produce presents to the artist is a subtle of the youngster’s talent: “I studied great work – the pieces that define one. The availability of undo and an artist and incidentally his chosen illustration at the School of Visual cut ‘n’ paste creativity can lead to medium – but you have to keep your Arts in Manhattan on a full complacency. JP has remained alert scholarship.” balance. So JP maintains one eye to this, however, and uses a selection Back in New York, JP set to work, on the everyday: “I try to observe of techniques to ensure he stays the real world with both a technical studying the old European masters fresh: “I easily tire of one process,” and physical mind-set but also in an and learning the business of he declares, “because I’m always illustration. But the old adage is true, emotional and spiritual way.” trying to find efficient or unique you learn the rules in order to break Given JP’s aversion to the use of ways to create images.” them: “School was great to learn reference for his work, this kind of about techniques, styles etc,” agrees observation is central to his ability to create. Without it, he would have JP. “But it took me a while to break In the mix: out into my own style.” The route to no raw material to work with: “I’m Among the choices is the mix of this kind of enlightened state? “Don’t seeing the real world more as a digital to traditional: “One of the giant library of sight and feeling,” he take your talent for granted and processes is I start off with an idea in always follow your heart.” explains. my mind then do rough thumbnails JP is developing an image of the real
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with pencil. Once I have something I like I do a more worked up sketch.” This sketch, still fully traditional, is what the client will approve. Only then does production shift to the computer. While this first approach mimics the traditional production route, at the opposite end of the spectrum, “I sometimes get an idea and just start painting digitally without a drawing or sketch; this is more intuitive and free form. The results can be unpredictable at times but also surprisingly good.” Maintaining a flexible approach means you always have options. You can look at things from more than one angle. That brings us neatly to the question of composition: “It’s one of the key essentials to doing the type of art that I do,” adds JP. In other words, composition comes before everything else if you are going to produce an image that engages the viewer on more than one level: “You only have one image to deliver a whole story, so the composition needs to invite the viewer in and hold them a while. Long enough to tell a story.” While that’s easy to say, it’s a skill that takes some development. “Composition is all about positioning and size relation along with the placement of key visual guides that lead the eye.” If you’re a master, “you can make the viewer look where you want them to, enabling you to tell the story from beginning to end with a single image.” 26
Always a storyteller:
All this from a man who started out painting the covers of romance novels. JP is willing to admit: “When I look back at it now it’s pretty horrifying. I can’t believe I actually did that type of work because my present work is so far from that right now.” At the moment, things seem to
be going JPs way: “I’m a bum,” he exclaims. Not literally swigging from half-bottles and sleeping in parks, more “freelancing for video game companies such as NCSoft and doing tons of RPG illustrations.” This suits JP perfectly, “I enjoy the RPG publishing market. I find the content to be a lot looser in art direction
Photo (Above) by J.P. Targete than novels or video game art.” And when you feel your work, it’s easier to produce something truly exiting. Or as JP puts it: “Dig deep inside and rip it out.” Sounds painful but he’s not in a joking mood: “Seriously. I try to do images as if I were a fan who just wanted to see something really different or
powerful.” The artist in this case has a responsibility to his audience. “It’s like when you go to a movie and you have certain expectations, so I try to be that fan with those high expectations.” The goal is to live up to – or even exceed – those expectations. “If I disappoint myself
then I feel I’ve let down everyone looking at the image.” All this bodes well for JP’s future plans: “I want to make my own line of graphic novels and hopefully pitch them to film makers and video game makers.” He adds, with admirable humility: “I’m rarely an artist but I’m always a storyteller.” 27
Snooze Button Time Traveler Sets Coordinates For 5 Minutes Into he Future By John Doe
MINNEAPOLIS Setting his sights on a point five minutes into the future, snooze button time traveler Brent Conley, 31, engaged the launch initiation switch on his temporal teleportation device at precisely 7:30 a.m. this morning, immediately sending himself hurtling through time. Having carefully computed the appropriate coordinates and loaded them into his sophisticated time-travel mechanism, the veteran temporal navigator and online ad salesman was reportedly able to rocket himself through the very fabric of the fourth dimension with little more than the press of a button, traveling the equivalent of five earth minutes in the mere blink of an eye. “Ummghh,” said the snooze button time traveler upon his virtually instantaneous arrival at 7:35 a.m., having rematerialized in the same spot in his one-bedroom apartment exactly one-twelfth of an hour after his departure. “Gahh,” he added as he eyed his current time coordinates with disapproval, immediately discerning with the insight of years of time-travel experience that he had yet to journey far enough into the future. 30
With a vigorous and confident strike of his hand, Conley reportedly engaged the ignition button again, initiating a second staggering surge though the chronological ether. Quickly assuming the proper supine position necessary for time travel, the temporal voyager pulled close his duvet heat barrier for the fantastic light-speed journey before him. While the electronic time-manipulation device that powers Conley’s leaps into the future is said to be small, it is by no means simple. Bearing a dizzying array of switches, dials, buttons, and an arcane digitized display of glowing numbers and dots, the mechanism can reportedly be calibrated to the time cruiser’s exact needs and is always kept within arm’s reach, perched conveniently atop a birch-veneer self-assembled end table. According to reports, the advanced device emits piercing tones to indicate a successful arrival in the future, often blaring the choruses and verses of classic rock songs from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and today, or occasionally the shrill vocalizations of Conley’s disembodied travel companions, Bill And Linda In The Morning.
Photo (Above) by Zvone Lavric Photo (Let) by John Doe “Son of a ... ,” said the veritable time captain after a second deftly executed chrono-jump, his vision blurred and a watery discharge emanating from his mouth, both common side effects of his disorienting blasts through spacetime. “Agh,” he added defiantly before challenging the very limits of time travel by commencing a third vault across the temporal threshold. According to astonishing accounts, the 2003 University of Minnesota graduate is known to venture as far as 20 minutes into the future routinely, completing such mind-bending feats of chronological teleportation as many as three or four mornings per week.
highly advanced 300-thread-count textiles. In spite of his remarkable ability to bend the very dimensions of time to his will, the snooze button time traveler is said to occasionally encounter obstacles on his voyages. Indeed, such a glitch reportedly occurred Monday when an errant deactivation of his device’s power toggle, which is located within just inches of the launch bar, propelled the traveler into a much deeper wormhole in the spacetime continuum than he had anticipated, depositing him woefully into the far-toodistant future.
“What?” said Conley in momentary confusion, examining the unexpected digits 8:28 on his chronodisplay before realizing he had been thrust a startling 48 To endure his extraordinary journeys, Conley reportedly minutes into the future and had no means of return. wears a specialized time-travel suit consisting of cutting-edge cotton-poly-blend plaid leg coverings and “God fucking dammit,” the time traveler added as he protective upper-body gear emblazoned with the words hurriedly grabbed khaki pants and a dress shirt from his hamper and sprinted toward the bathroom. Hard Rock Cafe London, garments specifically suited for the particular rigors of his transits. In addition, the chrononaut’s meticulously engineered queen-sized timepod, which carries Conley effortlessly into the future, is said to consist of dozens of hidden spring coils, a spaceage quilt-top surface, and several insulating layers of 31
Las Vegas: Decor is Steampunk, the Dining Eclectic at New Eatery By Jay Jone Rx Boiler Room, a new restaurant with a steampunk vibe, is Chef Rick Moonen’s latest offering on the Las Vegas Strip.
croquettes Dijonnaise ($9). Among the varied entrees: a bucket of crispy-fried game hen ($16) and charred octopus kebab ($26).
Rx Boiler Room in the Shoppes at Mandalay Place, replaces the upstairs dining area at Moonen’s RM Seafood. That space formerly featured a pricier, more upscale menu.
The bar menu is equally creative. The smoked whiskey and cola, for instance, is a concoction of George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey blended with homemade cola syrup, vanilla bitters, soda water and smoked cherry wood chips.
Steampunk, a genre found in science-fiction books and movies, is reflected in the new restaurant’s decor: It’s reminiscent of the industrial revolution in Britain during the 19th century. Rx Boiler Room features the alchemy of food and drink,its website says. The menu features some clever offerings. Appetizers include chicken pot pie nuggets ($8) and braised oxtail 34
The dining room is open 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily. Info: (702) 632-9900
Photo (Above) by Brian Mongeon
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Steampunk Events for January 2014 by Ay-leen the Peacemaker Still buzzing off the holiday cheer? Extend the celebration into 2014 by attending some steampunk events for your New Year’s Resolution. This is the third year that Kevin Steil the Airship Ambassador and I have brought you the latest retrofuturistically-inclinded events from around the world, and we’re excited to have a line-up of guest contributors to help give some additional insights. To begin 2014, we have returning contributor Pablo Vasquez, the co-chair for Aetherfest, on-hand to bring some Texas know-how to the list. Did we miss out on your event for January? Give a shout in the comments below. People can also submit future events to be featured too. Email attic.hermit@gmail. com by January 15th, 2014 with the details for upcoming February happenings. 36
Photo (Above) by Shannon Cottrel All descriptions are taken from the event’s website or Facebook unless stated otherwise. The Airship Ambassador Recommends:
magic, and drama sure to delight even the most jaded time traveler. The Academy runs from 10am to 6pm and is all ages. The Cabaret is from 7pm to midnight and is 18+.
Brass Ring Academy and Cabaret Jan 4th New England Carousel Museum, Bristol, CT
The Mechanical Soul: Steampunk Style in Contemporary Art Now through January 25th, The Bath House Cultural Center, Dallas, TX
Start the new Year off with music in your heart. We are very proud to present an event chock full of the very best in Victorian and Steampunk presenters, performances, creators, tinkerers, gadgeteers, airship captains, carousel horses, and, we very much hope, YOU. Come as you are, or as you always wanted to be- creatively period dress is encouraged but not required. Enjoy a full day of classes and discussions which will educate, entertain, and delight you, followed by an evening of music, dance,
An exhibition that explores some of the elements and styles that are aligned with the aesthetics, design, and characteristics that are commonly associated with steampunk art. Featured artists include Karin Michele Anderson, Timothy Armstrong, Rita Barnard, Vicki Charlotta, Patricia Curry, Jacque Forsher, Rebecca Guy, Juli Hulcy, Caleb Winter Massey, Sarah K. Morgan, Sharon Neel Bagley, Melia Newman, Tory Padden, Kate Schatz, Kelly Scott, Daniel Sellers, Sammy Thomason, Marilee Vergati
Photo (David Lee) by Jamie NYC and I have no doubt that y’all will attend something other than an event completely oriented around Why: Look no further than HRM Steampunk Symposium, which is on you. What’s that? Highly unlikely? a super awesome ship I’ve personally Well, Cherie Priest is going to be Pablo Recommends: there and that’s awesome! There’s always wanted to see. Something also a slew of fascinating guests like North Texas Vintage Life Expo always comes up closer to home Mike Carey, who wrote DC’s Lucifer for me to attend what looks like a Jan 11th Farmers Branch, TX stellar and atmospheric event, but series, of which I am a huge fan. Why: I love the fact that I’m seeing that shouldn’t stop you if you want Dieselpunk events pop up more that ocean liner experience without I’m also a big fan of conventions that have a con suite, as they allow and more, especially here in Texas. actually going to sea! for some awesome mingling and Organized by the North Texas discussion, not to mention spending Confusion Dieselpunks, the world’s leading less money on food and more in the Jan 17-19 Dearborn, MI Dieselpunk organization, this is Dealer’s Room. Also, for another looking to be the Dieselpunk shindig chance to see me, though I’ll be to attend in January, what with Why: 2014 seems like a great year there on Detcon1 business, come the swinging bands, magicians, art for visiting Detroit! Not only is the attend and we’ll share a drink North American Science Fiction galleries and so much more! While together. The more Steampunks, the just a one day event, it seems well Convention, Detcon1, being held merrier, yes? Prove me wrong and be worth it, especially if you’re in the there, but the local science fiction there! convention, Confusion, seems local area. Considering that yours truly will be there it will no doubt be like it will be a real treat this year. Sure, I know, you’re looking for a truly fantastic time! the Steampunk sell first, right? Steampunks have varying interests HRM Steampunk Symposium Haynes, Kyle Wood, and Theresa Wood.
Jan 10 -12 Long Beach, CA
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Steamcon attracts over 1,700 people to Seattle By Amy Martinez The 19th-century apothecary sits down on a brown upholstered bench outside an airport hotel conference room and pulls out an iPhone. Dressed in late-Victorian-era garb befitting an old Western medicine dispenser, Pam Banis, 46, of Bellingham, text-messages her younger sister, who has just seen a digital photo of Banis’ husband, Ben, wearing a black kilt, combat boots and eye-protection goggles. “The goggles really threw her off,” said Banis, who runs a hair salon with Ben when she’s not donning hats with tulle and pretending to be “Maggie May Hopplemeyer” of the 1880s. “So what I wrote to her is, ‘This is where the Victorian era and steam science come together. Think Captain Nemo, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, etc.’ “
“For a while, you can let the outside world go and be whoever you want to be.”
Banis was one of about 1,700 people attending Steamcon, a weekend celebration of all things “steampunk” the age of steam power re-imagined in the Internet era at the Marriott and Hilton hotels near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Photo (Let) by M.W. Chase Photo (Right) by hadius Phul
The term “steampunk” was coined 30 years ago by author K.W. Jeter, who wrote a sequel to H.G. Wells’ “The Time Machine” about a trip back in time to 1890s London. The subcultural genre has popped up since in all sorts of places on iPhone apps, in movies including Will Smith’s “Wild, Wild West” Millennials, and Nicole Kidman’s “The Golden Compass,” and at a growing number who of gatherings throughout the U.S. strolled the carpeted hallways “We were the only dedicated in elaborate costumes and attended seminars on such subjects as “geared steampunk convention last year. But The second annual gathering, with this year, there are about a dozen the “Weird Weird West” as its theme, locomotives” and the “science of around the country, so we were airships.” attracted Boomers, Gen-Xers and 38
a little ahead of the trend,” said Steamcon co-founder Diana Vick, a Seattle illustrator and greeting-card designer.
“Because I’m a time traveler, you always want to have everything on your person, and you want it all where you can get to it.”
in medieval re-enactment groups for two decades before discovering steampunk at a science-fiction convention last year.
She described steampunk as “Victorian science-fiction,” adding, “We want to go back to when technology was ornate and interesting and understandable.”
Turner wore black pointy-toed boots, lace stockings and skirt, poofy white shirt and a corset tied at the bottom rather than the top a sign of a modest woman.
Alex Agnes, 18, of Gresham, Ore., took the train up from Portland to attend Steamcon with his girlfriend, Kylee Turner, also 18 and from Gresham.
“Yes, in life, I’m a really nice person. I’m retired, I have grandkids,” she said. “Here, I can play this chaotic, neutral-type person, where if I feel there’s something in it for me, I’ll hang with you, but if I find out there’s nothing in it for me, I’m gone.”
“I like the Victorian era,” said Turner, who’s studying music at Portland Community College. “I feel the fashions were more proper. They “Darling,” she added, adopting a fake had better standards.” English accent, “I’m very bad.”
Agnes wore a black tailcoat and hat, a silver pocketwatch tucked into his vest, and a gunman’s belt with strings through the bullet holders to carry various things. “I have some pulleys, an hourglass, little bottles, a plethora of keys and a 20-sided die,” said Agnes, a theatertech major at George Fox University.
Stephani Miller, 57, of Bremerton, pretended to be an airship pirate from the late 1800s. She wore an aviator cap and goggles and carried two pistols. “For a while, you can let the outside world go and be whoever you want to be,” said Miller, who participated 39
Journey to the Steampunk World’s Fair By Andrea Schwalm We’re still relatively new to the genre but steampunk has been very popular in our house this past year. Together we’ve devoured Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy as well as Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan and Behemoth books and then separately the boys received and are working through Steampunk Gear, Gadgets, and Gizmos: A Maker’s Guide to Creating Modern Artifacts and Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories. The next logical step in our subcultural journey seemed to be a live event which was how my older son and I found ourselves two weeks ago in Piscataway, New Jersey at the greatest steampunk festival in the world,The Steampunk World’s Fair.
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Jeff Mach, the Fair’s organizer, explains on his website that Steampunk is the friendliest subculture and that all are invited to participate and exercise their imaginations at his Fair. And so it was. It might seem an odd thing to remark upon but as the day progressed, I became increasingly thankful for this friendly ethos. With over 4,000 people ultimately attending at least one of the Fair’s three days, it would not have been surprising to encounter the occasional abrupt or displeased participant, but everywhere I went, people held open doors, waited patiently, and joked good-naturedly. As relative outsiders, my son and I soon felt comfortable striking up conversations with strangers, no small thing when you hail from New
York! As soon as we arrived at the Fair we were ensconced in a crowd of bustled, corseted women and vested men in short coats and top hats. As we made our way through the shared parking lots of the Radisson and Embassy Suites Hotels, different costuming themes immediately emerged: Some fair-goers paid homage to burlesque with bustiers and garters, some favored classical Dickensian clothing, and still others sported explorer/aviator apparel, air tanks, and goggles. (Mom moment: While some of the costuming had one lace-up boot firmly planted in the risque, none of the costumes I saw were any more revealing than what I see any day at the beach, so while I imagine the day proved thought-provoking for my teenager, I would still call this event youthfriendly.) As it turns out, however, Steampunk isn’t just about costuming and appearances, there is a very strong maker ethos infused in the subculture, too. As my son and I walked through the hallways of the hotels, we realized that most of the ground floor bedrooms also doubled as daytime shop fronts, with the result that as one strolled through the buildings, one was constantly being invited into intriguinglooking bedrooms to speak with friendly crafts people and admire their offerings. One of my favorite shops belonged to Drea Davenport, a metalsmith and jewelry-maker who creates cuff-links, brooches,
Photo (Above) by Margi Murphy
and necklaces from found keys and gears, as well as three-stitch rings rendered in the shape of a looselystrung corset and fitted with semiprecious stones. My 16-year-old son, on the other hand, was fascinated with a captain’s telescope and sextant in one shop, and then with a fullyfunctioning manual typewriter in another. After we’d had our fill of shopping, we decided to take advantage of the wonderfully-diverse panels and speakers that were also part of the Fair. My first panel was an informal gathering in a tiny room early in the afternoon, perhaps a dozen costumed participants sitting informally, chatting about the history of anarchy, pirates, and the Occupy Wall Street movement. Later, I met some of the speakers again at the Combustion Books table and realized for the first time that there is a political, deeply-idealistic search for utopia embedded into steampunk, as well. My favorite Fair panel, however, was given by Michelle Roberts, who gave an excellent talk on Steampunk in Comics that ultimately sent me online in search of some of her suggestions, including:
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supernatural pair, one more machine the diminished, haggard middleclass between them struggles to hang than man,the other literally made on. Add to this the fact that now one from stone and earth to find him. of the unkillable undead has been Runaways , Blah blah blah JOSS murdered. WHEDON blah blah blah. The New Deadwardians In this Joe Golem and the Drowning City murder-mystery a devastating virus From Hell , See comment above. Here, Manhattan and Brooklyn emerges. Many of the well-to-do opt Insert Alan Moore. Additionally, are flooded and the resilient must for an expensive vaccine, however, Ms. Roberts claimed that she survive above the waterline. Our one of the side-effects of the antidote hides these comics from her protagonist, a young woman, is that it turns recipients into lustchildren because they are too scary, seeks her kidnapped guardian less vampires. Meanwhile, the poor innnnntereeesstinggg! and ultimately partners with a and infected become zombies and
ever encountered. Set in an arctic, Weimar-esque New Venice on the brink of revolution and filled with almost too-many intriguing characters (including a charismatic, debauched literature professor; a pop-singer turned militant feminist; a mangled ordinance specialist; a troupe of undead, arctic pirates; a team of dirigible-riding anarchists; and a pair of conjoined, fraternal royal twins [with what seem to be healthy sexual appetites]), the novel progresses in a dream-hazed arc toward the successful revolutionary war that is the book’s climax.
Photo (Above) by Claire Smithy him with moments of empathy and Five Fists of Science , In this nuance. Since there is nothing more graphic novel, Nikolas Tesla, Bertha intriguing than a flawed anti-hero, I had to add this to my must-findVon Suttner, and Mark Twain team up to bring about world peace. From and-read list! what I gathered, this apparently results in lots of stuff exploding. Toward the end of the afternoon I also had the pleasure of chatting Moriarty: The Dark Chamber with Jean-Christophe Valtat, the , This last was a KickstarterFrench author of the steampunk funded graphic novel that fleshes novel Aurorarama and creator out Sherlock Holmes infamous of one of the most thoroughlyantagonist and apparently provides conceived alternative universes I’ve
Valtat (a literature professor himself), explained to me that the origins of this novel, the first in a projected trilogy, actually emerged over 20 years ago from letters and conversations with a friend, and that he intentionally wrote the novel in English because he believed it to be the language of imagination. (Intrigued? The first 34 pages of the book are available for download here.) After this, my son and I decided it was time to head home. We plan on heading back to next year’s Steampunk World’s Fair, however, and maybe this time we’ll spring for the hotel and stay overnight so that we can take advantage of a list of offerings that seemed to extend late into the evening.
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Sullen TimeTraveling Teen Reports 23rd Century Sucks By Daryl Cobbs According to sullen teenager Steve Geremek, the 23rd century, a time previously restricted to the fantastical imaginings of sciencefiction writers and futurists, “sucks.” “Ah, it was a bunch of boring stuff,” said a slouching, mumbling Geremek, 17, at a press conference shortly after his return from the future Monday. “It totally blew.” Geremek, the son of renowned MIT theoretical physicist Irwin Geremek, was transported to the year 2202 last Thursday when he accidentally wandered into an experimental tachyon particle accelerator being developed by his father. “I was messing around in my dad’s thingy and, all of a sudden, there was this flash of purple light,” Geremek said. “Next thing I knew, I was surrounded by a bunch of boring future stuff.” Asked to clarify what he meant by “boring future stuff,” Geremek said, “I dunno... stuff.” Geremek was similarly vague when queried about 23rd-century fuel sources, organization of communities, and prevalent modes of transportation. “I dunno, people still walked around and did crap, same as today,” said Geremek, staring at the floor and fidgeting with his hands. “It’s not 44
Photo (Above) by R.C. Gorman
Photo (Above) by Philippe Ramakers mandibles shooting out of their foreheads. It sounds like it would be pretty cool, but it actually looked Geremek’s ambiguous answers drove kinda gay.” at least one scientist to exasperation. Geremek’s father, who had not “What did he mean, ‘It’s not like that planned to test the time-travel device until sometime early next nuclear-winter thing came true’?” University of Chicago physicist Dr. year, was eager to speak to his son Erno Schuller asked. “Did a nuclear upon his return. war occur at some point but no “You stupid idiot,” the elder nuclear winter resulted? Or did he mean a nuclear war didn’t occur and, Geremek said. “Thirteen years it therefore, people were relieved there took us to perfect those coordinate was no nuclear winter and went calculations, and another seven to about their lives the same as always? build the thing. Not to mention the months of endless wrangling to get Christ.” our project funded. Now we have Geremek was somewhat more to start over because you didn’t give forthcoming when asked about food the thing proper time to reach its core temperature, damaging the and popular culture. acceleration mechanism. I told you to wait in the car while I got some “They still had pizza, which was cool,” Geremek said. “But kids were papers. What the hell were you into splicing their DNA with beetles, doing in there in the first place?” so they get, like, these temporary like that nuclear-winter thing came true.”
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The physicist then grounded his son, who responded by calling his father a Nazi. Experts remain uncertain how to interpret Steve Geremek’s tantalizingly cryptic account of 23rd-century life. “We’re not sure if, in describing the 23rd century as ‘boring,’ Steve meant that civilization is destroyed and man lives in a sort of grinding, postapocalyptic world of hand-to-mouth barbarism, or that civilization exists as a totalitarian system in which the individual is a faceless cog in a drab, oppressive bureaucratic machine,” author and futurist Alvin Toffler said. “Perhaps he meant something else altogether. We will likely not know the answer until Steve is well out of his teens or has some sense knocked into him.”
Claiming that the mere thought is an absolute nightmare,WR 67c, a terrestrial planet from the distant Gamma Velorum star system, expressed its profound terror Wednesday at the possibility of one day gaining the capacity to sustain human life. The 5.2-billion-year-old celestial body, which is located roughly 1,100 light years from Earth, said that for both its own sake and that of its entire solar system, it can only hope to never possess the necessary planetary characteristics and chemical elements needed to support either a deep-space human outpost or, more gravely, an entire human colony. Luckily, with my high levels of atmospheric sulfur dioxide, methane, and radon, there’s no way any human could survive on my surface for more than a few seconds,said WR 67c, adding that it is incredibly lucky to have developed extremely violent and widespread volcanism in addition to its poisonous atmosphere. But I don’t know, what if I produce a magnetic field that blocks out stellar wind and cosmic radiation? What if I develop an axial tilt that fosters a mild global climate? It’s terrifying to admit, but my surface temperature already sometimes drops to 120 degrees Fahrenheit at night, and their species can technically survive in that.
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Stuff like that really freaks me out,the extrasolar planet continued. The real doomsday scenario would
Distant Planet Terriied It Might Be Able To Someday Support Human Life By Jacob Green be someday acquiring a breathable atmosphere rich with oxygen and ultraviolet-absorbing ozone. At that point, I might as well just hurl myself at the nearest black hole and be done with it. In an effort to allay its deep-seated fears of human habitation, WR 67c said it often reminds itself that its surface is constantly ravaged by devastating asteroid impacts and is
perpetually showered by corrosive rains of pure sulfuric acid. However, because it occupies what Earth scientists have dubbed the habitable zone of its nearby star, the planet confessed that it often succumbs to sudden panic attacks in which it becomes intensely paranoid that it is developing liquid water on its crust. The silicate-based planet also expressed a similarly crippling worry
that any of its six moons could one day develop atmospheric pressure and gravity levels suitable for the human body, underscoring that it does not want humans within 100 parsecs of its orbit.
“In an effort to allay its deep-seated fears of human habitation, WR 67c said it often reminds itself that its surface is constantly prospect ravaged by devastating asteroid matter of time before of human impacts and is perpetually they figure scientists out how discovering showered by corrosive rains to voyage its existence of pure sulfuric acid” through has already led
Boy, I can only imagine what that awful species would do to me if they found out I have an abundance of rich mineral deposits deep within me,said WR 67c, noting that the
to debilitating bouts of stress and anxiety. Those horrible organisms have already developed the technology for short-distance space travel, and it’s probably only a
Photo (Above) by J. Jill
interstellar space. It’s almost like I can already feel them crawling all over my surface, infesting every inch of my crust,the planet added, 49
Photo (Above) by Alexa Auburn shuddering. Ugh, it’s best not to even parasites. think about it. Given that its size is roughly three times that of Earth, WR 67c Despite its opposition to human acknowledged with considerable life, WR 67c admitted no such reservations toward harboring other apprehension that it could carbon-based life forms, noting theoretically house tens of billions that most are harmless and actually of humans, far more than the tend to form a peaceful and pleasant Earth’s capacity, a prospect it said symbiosis with their surroundings. was too terrifying to contemplate. The distant terrestrial world then Honestly, I really wouldn’t mind confirmed that should human beings having certain living organisms,WR ever safely step foot on its surface, it would do everything in its power 67c said. Prokaryotes or maybe to generate devastating volcanic some unicellular Mycetozoa would activity and seismic instability in an be totally fine, in fact, those kinds of species would be more than effort to repel them. welcome. And most plants or However, if it proved unable to shake animals really wouldn’t bother me in the slightest. I could actually see the species, the planet said it hoped myself happily accommodating a for the nearby Wolf-Rayet star to immediately go supernova, instantly variety of biomes for all sorts of organisms. obliterating all orbiting planets in a cataclysmic burst of thermonuclear energy. Just not humans,the planet quickly added. Seriously, anything but those 50
It’s absolutely horrifying to think of human beings living off my geochemistry and atmosphere, but to be honest, if I can just get through the next 50 or so Earth years, I should be in the clear,WR 67c said. They’ll definitely all be dead by then.
Disgusted TSA Agents Also Calling For End To Body Scanning, horough Pat-Downs By Author Fairwell
Photo (Above) by Alyson Shontell
Following a Thanksgiving weekend in which agents were compelled to perform full-body scans and invasive pat-downs of millions of obese, exceedingly unhygienic American travelers, visibly disgusted Transportation Security Administration officials said Monday they were joining critics in opposing the controversial new security measures. “After inspecting nude images of some of the most revoltingly unmaintained bodies in the world, we must call for an immediate end to these federally mandated scans,” said TSA chief John Pistole, who was forced to pause several times during a press conference when his gag reflex was triggered by the visual aids being presented to reporters. “Furthermore, intimate contact with the actual sweaty genitals of these nauseating individuals thousands of times a day has convinced us no one deserves to be subjected to this horrible procedure. The rubber gloves do not make it better.” Several TSA agents have suggested the new security protocols should remain in effect anytime Modern Family star SofÌa Vergara is traveling domestically or internationally.
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Man From Future Can’t Stop Living In he Less-FarInto-he-Future By Timmy Dalas Time-traveling neurotic Guy Axiom, more commonly known as “the Man from the Future,” cannot stop living in the past, which to us, in the present, is also the future, but not quite as far into the future as the period Axiom hails from, sources close to the beleaguered 23rd-century scientist reported Monday. “You’ve got to learn to live in the now, not the now that will have been,” Axiom’s friend Joe Busey said in an attempt to console Axiom. “There’s nothing you can do about things that haven’t happened yet but will.” The cause of Axiom’s worries, his ex-girlfriend Jan Strontium, could not be reached for comment, as she will not be born for another 200 years. You are recommended to have an open acceptance of how time warps and works if you plan to time travel. Not being able to let go or comprehend life as a paradox is detrimental to your mental health. Travel safely, voyagers. 52
Photo (Above) by Martin Walls
Jared-27, a hunter-soldier from the year 2189, addressed the United Nations Monday in an attempt to prevent enslavement, torture and forced breeding at the hands of digital pets from becoming “the human race’s destiny.”
Hunter-Soldier From Future Warns: ‘Beware he Digital Pets’ By Raymund Noir
“In my time, the cyber-mechanical beings you call ‘Tamagotchi’ rule the Earth,” Jared-27 told U.N. delegates during a special meeting of the General Assembly. “The future is a charred hellscape of ruined machinery, crumbling buildings and constant rain. Unless you act, awaiting you is a world where humans exist only to press the food and pleasure keys of their digital-pet masters, while resistance fighters like myself huddle for warmth in subterranean warrens. You cannot possibly imagine what it is like.” The enigmatic hunter from the future then showed the delegates a grainy, out-of-focus digital photo of what he claimed was a City-Destroyer-Class Tamagotchi Dreadnought hovering over the blasted ruins of Los Angeles. According to FBI officials, Jared-27 first appeared at approximately 3 p.m. Friday in the parking lot of a Garden City, NY, Toys ‘R’ Us store, materializing in a pulsating spiral of blinding white light. Within 30 minutes, he was arrested by police, who found him inside the toy store attempting to vaporize a display of Bandai-brand digital pets with his plasmic inducer. 54
Despite Jared-27’s claims, officials at Bandai, the world leader in digitalpet technology, insist that their product is made in accordance with the strictest possible safety standards and poses “no threat whatsoever, either to children ages four and under or to the human race.”
to create a hunter-killer digital pet at this time, nor could I comment on any possible link we might have with any secret military project.”
“Bandai’s mission for the ‘90s is to create the finest hand-held electronic life simulators anywhere,” said Walter Yow, head of the U.S. division of the Japanese toy giant. “As far as I am aware, this company has no plans
“I was born a slave in the Tamagotchi breeding vats, the artificially inseminated son of unknown parents, a breeding pair doubtless chosen for their skills at tending to their digital-pet masters,”
Jared-27 denounced Yow and his fellow Bandai employees as “traitors to humanity.”
Photo (Above) by Chris Greene Jared-27 said. “All my life I pressed the pleasure and food buttons of the very warrior drone caste Tamagotchi whose mission it was to exterminate all free-humans. The lucky among us died. I escaped to join the resistance.” The time-traveling warrior said he represents humanity’s final hope, as the machine in which he journeyed back to 1997 had been destroyed by assassin units just as he was making the temporal quasi-transition.
“I had hoped to return to 1992 to assassinate the future inventors of these murderous deathbots, but in the chaos of battle, I miscalculated the time gradient,” he said. “There will not be another emissary. We must act on the one chance we have left: You must destroy your digital pets now, before you learn the true meaning of master.”
space-time continuum, Jared-27 strongly advised the destruction of the cable monopoly and the Nintendo Corporation. He also urged President Clinton to invest “everything you’ve got” into research on the George Foreman FatReducing Grilling Machine.
Though he would not reveal too much of the earth’s future for fear of altering history and causing irreparable damage to the 55
Tips For A Successful Marriage By Z-bot 736500 Love is a partnership. Marriage, however, is an unbreakable contract under ZPG Law 7CZ23E, and is illegal to terminate. Here’s some advice for maintaining a healthy and vibrant union: Maintaining your communication chip is very important to a lifelong relationship. Update yours yearly on your anniversary. As time goes on and partners get older, it can be difficult to maintain the passion in a relationship. Keep a couple clones of yourselves around the house to liven things up in the bedroom. Be a considerate partner around the home. For example, why not surprise your wife by hydrating dinner yourself tonight?
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Try to remember the good times, when all you did was stay in bed all afternoon and laugh and eat Chinese food, and all it took to make you happy was to come home to each other at the end of the day. Most couples download these and other great memories from the lostparadise openband.
Some books may claim that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but scientists disproved this myth during the Venusian archeological digs of the early ‘20s.
State-sanctioned polygamy is an effective means of preserving marital contentment. Consult the official polyfidelity web-core to add new dyads to your identity cluster.
Even though human sentiment was largely eradicated in 2042, vestigial emotions occasionally arise. If this happens, a 60-day quarantine is mandated to prevent spousal infection.
Under strict international laws, you are forbidden from procreating in the hopes of rescuing a troubled marriage. However, there are no laws restricting the adoption of mutants.
As tempting as it may be to use time travel to resolve marital arguments, the approach is not recommended, as it tends to alter the history of mankind in spectacular and unforeseeable ways.
Photo (Above) by Leoina It’s important to have realistic expectations for how marriage will affect you. For example, having a life partner does not “complete” you. A pair of surgically attached synthetic wings does the trick far better. While it’s a common myth that happily married couples read each other’s minds, the reality is that happily married partners only use telepathy for the stock market and crime prevention. Generations of married couples have relied on this ageold advice for maintaining a happy marriage: Never go into suspended animation angry. 57
Band Review: Steam Powered Girafe By Martin W. If you have a tumblr, chances are you came across this group of singing automatons before. Steam Powered Giraffe is a Steam Punk themed musical project, their performances consisting of robot pantomime, humor and of course original music. The automatons not only have a rather big back story which you can find on the official website, including indeed, the big steam powered giraffe which gave them their name; they also each have incredible personalities and quirks. Rabbit, played by “Bunny” Bennett, a clockwork robot with an very chipper personality (and incredible hip-movements) tends to malfunction a little which is visible or rather audible in his speech patterns. The other two automatons are the silver automaton The Spine, played by Bunny’s twin brother David Michael Bennett, the most serious out of the three and the 58
newest robot, Hatchworth, played by the former drummer Sam Luke, who sports a wonderful bushy mustache. You can’t argue with people who carry mustaches like that on their faces. Other members of the band are the Humans, like the one-man-band Michael Reed, Matt Smith, the new drummer and Steve Negrete who works behind the scenes as the
band’s trusty sound engineer. On top of that, they are sometimes joined by the Walter Girls, Brianna Clawson and Paige Law, David’s and Bunny’s girlfriends respectively, two more extremely creative people who are part of the project. But of course, the most important part of Steam Powered Giraffe is the music, and even if you aren’t a big fan of Steam Punk, you’re
Photo (Above & Below) by David Micheal Bennette
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Photo by David Micheal Bennette
in for a treat! Almost all of their songs present a narrative, the tale of Captain Albert Alexander or the dark story of the Suspender Man are only two examples. A lot of their songs deal with their life as robots, other are love songs and there are a few downright silly ones, like the Ice Cream Parade and the following Horse Adventure. Lately, the band has taken a few hits, after one of their core members, The Jon, played by Jon Sprague, left due to commitment issues, some of the fans reacted negatively and sometimes downright insulting, attacking the remaining members and especially the Bennett twins verbally, asking for a bigger explanation on personal band issues. Still, the members have continued to be respectful and open towards their fans. It is still possible to talk to them on their personal tumblr’s. 60
is traditionally come as you are. This musical project brought a lot of people together in their joined interest for the music and the shows Steam Powered Giraffe is offering. So attune your ears to the grinding gears today and create your own opinion; maybe it will be as life If I am ever sad, I listen to Prelude to changing as it was for me. a Dream/Make Believe, since it turns into a song that just asks you to spread the love, be happy and ignore the bounds of society for once and just live. Being introduced to Steam Powered Giraffe was one of the kindest things a friend did for me last year. Some of their songs make you happy, some make you sad, a lot give your imagination a push in the right direction.
On top of that, the band is very LGBTQA+ friendly, with Bunny Bennett, one of the founders, considering herself as a form of [transgender]in her FAQ on tumblr and liking she/her as pronouns in her personal life while her stage persona Rabbit is male. Most of the love songs are very gender neutral, at least in my opinion and the general view of the Fanmily, the SPG fans
2Cellos Review by Jamie Lincoln Violated copyright laws and illegal downloads and leaked tracks, oh my! Sure, the whole wide world loves the World Wide Web, but for the music industry, the honeymoon period ended shortly after I do. Still, even though the split was nasty, at least the pair can take solace in their mutually beneficial prodigal son: Youtube. A site imploring users to ‘Broadcast yourself,’ Youtube is the perfect outlet for budding artists to test the musical waters. Often times a stark reminder that the majority of Britney wannabes should stick to the wading pool, Youtube has also uncovered such stars as Justin Bieber, Greyson Chance, Maria Aragon, and most recently, 2CELLOS. Literally two cellos, 2CELLOS is one dynamic duo that will make you feel like a fool for having favored 62
Photo by Stephan Lupino
softball over cello lessons in your disinterested youth. Praised by Ellen DeGeneres, Perez Hilton and Elton John for their rendition of the late Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal,masters Luka äulic and Stjepan Hausner are ready to unleash their self-titled debut album of popular covers, 2CELLOS. Whether or not you attend the symphony twice a month, or believe Beethoven to be just a lovable canine, 2CELLOS is a breathtakingly brilliant collection that doubles as the perfect soundtrack for those moments in life that should be accompanied by music. With or Without You serves as the quintessential so-and-so-said-hewould-call-but-didnít track, Smells like Teen Spirit encompasses the passionate fury you feel when soand-so moves on, and Human Nature will reduce you to tears for contemplating how so-and-so could be such a prick in sheep’s clothing. Available on July 19th, 2CELLOS is a refreshing rarity in our autotune dominated, scantily clad music culture. So clear the stage, Bach, there’s a hip new pair of cellists in town who don’t cater their tunes exclusively to those with broken hips. Hats off to you, Youtube.
Photo by Stephan Lupino 65
A Sense Of Structure: Steampunk Fashion Rules By G. D. Falksen Ladies and gentlemen, I have noticed recently a general interest in having rules; or perhaps not rules, but a framework in which to explore. I suppose this makes sense, for people are generally most comfortable if they have a structure to be free in. Often people post here wondering if their outfits are steampunk,or if there is a way to integrate their personal style into the steampunk environment. Given this situation, I would like to offer those of you interested in having some basic rules the following list of points to use as guidelines. Those of you who are already confident in your steampunk style have no need to dwell upon these, but anyone who is concerned or hesitant about how to approach a steampunk outfit should feel free to use these points as reference. I hope that they are useful. As a disclaimer, I should like to state that these points are based upon my own experiences, observations, reading of steampunk literature, and academic understanding of history. I will confess that where other people often spend an evening watching American Idol to relax, my idea of ‘vegging out in front of the TV’ involves First World War documentaries; so I am very much taken by the historical aspect of things. However, given that I am the author of the Steampunk Style Quiz, which has been taken over 30,000 times with very positive feedback, I do feel that my observations are generally acceptable.
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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.
Rule Four: 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 Rule One: Steampunk fashion is a real-world reproduction of the clothing that is or could be found in are wrong. Virtually any color can be steampunk (though perhaps one might balk at neon). If you like steampunk literature. It’s that simple. to wear black, there is a steampunk justification; if you Rule Two: When in doubt, dress Victorian and then add. like to wear brown, there is a steampunk justification; if you like to wear bright colors, there is a steampunk The Victorians were the first people to fully capitalize justification. Remember, steampunk is set in a world of upon steam technology in a way that affected everyday comparatively advanced technology, so it is perfectly life, so it is no surprise that most steampunk writing reasonable to have vibrant colors and complicated either takes place in the Victorian world or is strongly machine-made patterns. inspired by it. If you’re afraid that your outfit is ‘too Victorian’ you’re probably doing it right. Rule Five: You are allowed to like other genres. If you like a style of fashion that does not fit into steampunk Rule Three: Steampunk fashion is about creating an (Enlightenment era, Pulp Adventure, Mod 60s, outfit that delights the senses, entertains the wearer, and engages the viewer. Never feel obliged to take away Medieval, etc.) be proud of it. Do not feel compelled
“When in doubt, dress Victorian and then add”
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. Rule Six: 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. I hope that those of you looking for this sort of thing find it useful. Above all, I would like to emphasize that the point here is that you should be proud of having your own opinion and your own unique style.
Photo (Let) by G.D. Falksen Photo (Right) by Desmon Dex
Steelpunk Sheielf Goggle Project by Matthew DeMaris Steampunk is inspired by novels are culture but it is a true art and fashion. Concepts of the imagination come from various places and what one can come up with can be beyond putting gears on a block of wood and calling it steampunk. The following story is about a project undertook by my friend and me. Just like how a dress may start with just a sketch and then given to a seamstress to make into reality, my idea had to go through many levels just like that.
Photo (Above) by Matthew DeMaris With Inspration from Steampunk style and my hometown I decided to start a project using cutlery. The main points of the project I wanted: The name Sheffield needed to be outwards whenever the cutlery was forged into a ring, the strap would be two forks as hooks which have the prongs bent round to attach them, they needed to be shiny, it needed to be obvious they’re made of cutlery. After failing to
“With inspration from Steampunk style and my hometown I decided to start a project using cutlery”
craft it on my own, I decided to seek help from a friend I knew had metal working skills. I talked to Daniel, a friend of mine who is more than capable in the art of metal fabrication and welding, to make me a pair of steampunk goggles made out of knives and forks to reflect the city in which I was born and raised. As the goggles started to take shape, we discovered one problem: not all the cutlery was stainless steel. I was not overly concerned with that from a heritage point of view because they’re still made in Sheffield and that’s the main focus of the project. However, because of them not being made of steel, but in fact Silver plated Nickel, those pieces of cutlery couldn’t be welded. The parts around the glass lense 69
had to be bolted and I ordered some copper nuts and bolts to do that. The forks down the side also posed a question: “Do I use them as grips down the side of the hat they’ll be sitting on and not have a strap, or do I proceed with cutting and making a leather strap?” After all, Leather received the most amount of votes in the Poll of my blog asking what material it should be made from. I think you’ll agree that they look simply gorgeous as they are! The lenses are camera filters. Just the cheap UV versions that you can now get second-hand from camera shops that have a second-hand section or car boot sales. The reason I chose filters was because of the welding. I decided that the extreme temperatures may melt traditional plastic welding lenses whereas the camera filters have a metal ring around the circumference which should offer enough protection. The fork was crafted to have a small bend in the prong which is to attach the two goggles together in the middle. I would have forgot if it weren’t for Daniel. Later on, I decided that I wanted the forks curved around to use them as hooks for the strap because I didn’t think they’d get enough tension otherwise. However, after I gave instructions to Dan, I began to think more about them looking like glasses.
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Then just as I was about to get in touch to say to leave them in their
Photo (Above) by Matthew DeMaris
“hey look divine when on, but do carry a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration. For example, the front of my hat us now incredibly front heavy. I have to be careful when looking at the loor which means I can no longer avoid giving money to people in the street.�
Photo (Above) by Matthew DeMaris
proper shape, disaster struck! I got a message from Dan saying that as he’d tried to curve the prongs of the fork, a prong off each one had snapped off. The forks were rendered useless. We discussed our options and the possible variables of each outcome. Dan decided he was going to try and fix the situation by cutting down the rest of the prongs to match. I gave the go ahead as long as it didn’t look like we were desperately trying to sort out a mess. In the meantime, I said I’d get down to the local antiques shop and find some more. A day later, he agreed with me to look for more forks. It seems that the adjustments weren’t looking right. I managed to find three forks that are identical to the originals and they have some lovely sculpting on the shaft as well as squared off 74
prongs which is a little unusual in itself.
handles, I placed a vote to see what my followers on my blog thought about the design. They all decided A bridge had been connected to each that the touch of wood was a good goggle in the center using a piece one. I noted that I wanted the ends of cutlery which has the Sheffield capped off otherwise it looked just stamp on it, so the plan was to get like cut down forks and not an the new forks attached and adjust amalgamation of formed metal. the tension of them to grip to the hat without the need for a strap. So Dan had a wonderful idea to use the ends of the handles and attach After I asked about the wooden them to the base of the fork. It
Photo (Above) by Matthew DeMaris means that the ends have curves to them and aren’t sawn off.
which means I can no longer avoid giving money to people in the street.
It took a number of weeks of working in between projects to get this done, but the goggles are finally ready. They look divine when on, but do carry a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration. For example, the front of my hat us now incredibly front heavy. I have to be careful when looking at the floor
They’re not an exact fit, but it would have been nearly impossible to get it right. Dan Revitt is a professional welder and metal fabricator. He is available for commissions, please get in touch with Steampunk Journal for more details and how to contact him. 75
The “Friends” gang might have painted the walls a cheery yellow and brought in lots of candy-colored furniture. The ‘Gossip Girl’ brats would have made fun of anyone poor enough to live there, and Carrie probably would have been too horrified to allow her ‘Sex and the City’ Manolos to touch the scratched floors. But the unrenovated Brooklyn brownstone where TV’s modernday Sherlock Holmes rests his head and solves some of the Big Apple’s twistiest crimes hits some amusing -- and timely -- decorating notes. Holmes’ dilapidated digs on the hit ‘Elementary,’ Thursdays on CBS, are filled with murky lighting and a sparse array of mismatched furniture that you could call a stripped-down version of the steampunk style that’s everywhere in decorating. ‘Sherlock is all about function over form, so the unrenovated house suits him,’ production designer Andrew Bernard said of the set that he created on a sound stage in Long Island City. ‘He’s the sort of guy who, if he’s working on a case and sitting in a particular chair while he’s doing that, he’ll just do everything from that chair: Work his iPhone, look things up on his computer, even eat and sleep in that spot. He doesn’t really think about his surroundings; he just wants to keep his brain happy.
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In this latest incarnation of the ultimate crime-solver, Sherlock (Jonny Lee Miller) is a recovering
‘Elementary’ Set Design: Some Clues to Sherlock’s Steampunk Look By Leslie Van Buskirk
drug addict from across the pond whose Watson (Lucy Liu) is his sober companion. The shabby brownstone where they live is owned by his father, a real-estate mogul who inexplicably didn’t gut the place and turn it into condos. The contents of the building, however, belong to neither father nor son.
who found items at antique and secondhand shops as well as retailers selling classic designer furniture and vintage-inspired pieces. ‘The show is very graphic and minimal,” he said. “There’s nothing saturated or bright. Shades of red and orange are the accent color, like the deco mohair couch, the wing back chair or the Saarinen chair.’
“The furniture, the rugs, the faux ‘70s style Tiffany lamp in the kitchen That the house was built in Victorian -- it all came with the house. It’s times is a nod to the original just stuff people who lived there Holmes’ era, as is the area called before left behind,” said Bernard,
Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures
‘the Lock Room’ on set: simple metal grids of hanging locks that the detective used to practice his combination-cracking skills. ‘Our Sherlock has a macro-lens attached to his phone and computer, but he’s not as focused on gadgets as the original was,’ Bernard said. ‘His vast knowledge of history, language and science -- that’s what he pulls from Victorian times.’
own home, Bernard explains how to achieve that perfectly distressed look: ‘Start with plywood, then put on a base of plaster for that lumpy, bumpy texture. Choose a base color and take the lightest and darkest shades of it and blend them to create a mottled, varied color scheme; on top of that, you can draw in some light cracks and peeling. Finally, put on a tinted glaze to make it shine.’
And if pristine walls bore you and you want to go full Sherlock in your 77
While most fashion aficionados are currently looking to CBGB and the 1970s for style inspiration, a different set of ‘punks’ are eyeing H.G. Wells and the 1870s. They’re called steampunks, a term coined some 20 years ago by science-fiction author K.W. Jeter to describe a cult aesthetic movement inspired by 19th century sci-fi and fantasy that envisioned what a modern world would look like if steam power fueled technology. Think ‘Sherlock Holmes,’ ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’ and Will Smith’s 1999 camp classic ‘Wild Wild West’ all squeezed into one kooky corset.
Steampunk Fashion will Gear you up for a Reimagined Past by Timothy Mitchelle
In ‘Anatomy of Steampunk: The Fashion of Victorian Futurism,’ author Katherine Gleason dissects the fantastical subculture and its subscribers people from all walks of life who create elaborate characters and costumes, made up of topcoats, lace and other Victorian trappings paired with goggles, gadgets and mechanical bits. But everyday steampunks aren’t the only ones captivated by the likes of Captain Nemo. From Alexander McQueen to Olivier Theyskens, fashion designers have long flooded high-end runways with top hats, voluminous gowns and swashbuckling styles that have trickled down to highly wearable retail versions. Even Marc Jacobs went Victorian vamp for spring, sending models across a post-apocalyptic landscape in embroidered lace gowns and appliquéd jackets sure to earn a steampunk hashtag on Pinterest.
“Out of the shock of the old explodes the rebellion of the new.”
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The style subculture is DIY by nature, and as Gleason emphasizes, there are no set rules or limitations to the look. ‘Out of the shock of the old explodes the rebellion of the new,’ writes New York-based steampunk speaker Diana M. Pho in the book’s introduction. All you need is an inventive spirit and a little punk spunk.
Photo by Viona Ielegems