Melbourne steampunk exhibition in 2010

[maduncle]

Hello there fellow Antipodean Steampunk enthusiasts and others from further fields who may also be interested.

My cunning plan for 2010 is to organise an exhibition of steampunk material as part of one of the major events held in Melbourne, either the Arts festival or the Fringe festival.

When I say 'material' I am thinking props, costume, fashion, written work, illustration, spoken word, music, etc - anything steampunk.

I will be able to curate the exhibition, garage items prior to the exhibition, organise local artwork transport from my home to the venue, build temporary display material, liaise with the venue operator, organise a program, and generally run around frantically at the last minute fixing stuff (I am good at that bit).

Support from the local steampunk community in the following areas would be appreciated:

- Coordinating a fashion parade, evening, exhibition of costume (etc) as part of the event (not my forte).
- Publicity.
- Sponsorship.
- Promotional artwork (posters, invitations, etc) although I do have a very talented graphic designer friend I plan to tap on the shoulder of.
- Set up of the exhibition.
- Rostered attendance at the chosen venue during the exhibition peak times to provide insights into Steampunk.

If anyone else in Melbourne is already planning a similar event - please let me know soon so we don't clash or double dip.

Otherwise I am keen to take this project on for us as my contribution to the Antipodean Steampunk Community.

Cheers,

(maduncle) Cliff

[Robo Von Bismark]

What is needed for setting up the exhibition?

[Choreocrat]

While I'm not in Melbourne (I'm in Canberra), you've caught my interest. Perhaps an event it could link into would be WorldCon2010 in September.

My skills are somewhat limited, although I do have a hefty knowledge of Victorian era dance.

[maduncle]

What is needed for setting up the exhibition?

Robo,

I don't know the details until we have a space, but there may be a need for task lighting, plinths, cases, podiums, temporary wall panels, etc.

All the ususal temporary exhibition stuff. I am thinking some panels with Victorian era wallpaper might look good behind displayed objects.

Mind you - a large brass iris porthole on a motor that slowly opens and closes to reveal a displayed product would look pretty good too...

Chorecoat,

Not so sure about WorldCon - to me the ideal is that we move steampunk out of the sci-fi event circles and into the art circles, Oxford is a good example of an exhibition not tied to a 'con that has been successful in its own right. The benefits of tying into a Melbourne Art Festival (fringe or otherwise) is the registration fee provides a great deal of publicity.

Nevertheless, all Antipodean input from across the country is most welcome. Victoiran era dance may be useful in a fashion event...

[Robo Von Bismark]

Mind you - a large brass iris porthole on a motor that slowly opens and closes to reveal a displayed product would look pretty good too...

Yes but where would we get such a thing!!!

Seriously though, my job these days involves a lot of metal fabrication and setting up CAD files for laser cutting. Which version do you want to do? A true mechanical iris or that four door thing I showed you (which would be pretty easy to mass produce)

[maduncle]

Mind you - a large brass iris porthole on a motor that slowly opens and closes to reveal a displayed product would look pretty good too...

Yes but where would we get such a thing!!!

Seriously though, my job these days involves a lot of metal fabrication and setting up CAD files for laser cutting. Which version do you want to do? A true mechanical iris or that four door thing I showed you (which would be pretty easy to mass produce)

Both!

We shall talk some more on this - PM me when you get a moment

[Choreocrat]

Chorecoat,

Not so sure about WorldCon - to me the ideal is that we move steampunk out of the sci-fi event circles and into the art circles, Oxford is a good example of an exhibition not tied to a 'con that has been successful in its own right. The benefits of tying into a Melbourne Art Festival (fringe or otherwise) is the registration fee provides a great deal of publicity.

Nevertheless, all Antipodean input from across the country is most welcome. Victoiran era dance may be useful in a fashion event...

Makes sense. Your logic is sound. It wouldn't be the first time I've danced for an event such as this.

[Rowan of Rin]

I can help with set-up and props etc, and can try and source some more basic essentials, such as wall partitions. Would the display be something like a typical gallery set-up, such as the Oxford Steampunk exhibition, or closer to what we discussed a while back, having more of an 'old workshop you wonder through' feel to it?

[Prof Eumides Blakehurst]

What are the possible dates ?

I am happy to provide items, and assuming that I make myself free happy to lift, carry, set up etc.

[CaptainPhania]

I'd be very happy to help with this as a guide and setting up. I also know two exceptionally beautiful young ladies I can dress if we decide to go with the fashion parade, or just to stand around looking nice.

[Rowan of Rin]

What are the possible dates ?

My Google-fu has revealed the Fringe Festival runs from late September to early October, and the Arts Festival sometime in October. That gives us a bit of time, but I always underestimate the amount of stuff to do, and suddenly the date creeps up you! And yes, that was the excuse I made for my last late assignment...

I'd be very happy to help with this as a guide and setting up. I also know two exceptionally beautiful young ladies I can dress if we decide to go with the fashion parade, or just to stand around looking nice.

I don't think anyone here in their right (or slightly wrong) mind would refuse such an offer

[maduncle]

What are the possible dates ?

My Google-fu has revealed the Fringe Festival runs from late September to early October, and the Arts Festival sometime in October. That gives us a bit of time, but I always underestimate the amount of stuff to do, and suddenly the date creeps up you! And yes, that was the excuse I made for my last late assignment...

I'd be very happy to help with this as a guide and setting up. I also know two exceptionally beautiful young ladies I can dress if we decide to go with the fashion parade, or just to stand around looking nice.

I don't think anyone here in their right (or slightly wrong) mind would refuse such an offer

Correct on all counts!

Registration opens in May 2010 for the Melbourne Arts Festival, as for Fringe I am trying to confirm.

I need to talk to Melbourne City Council and other organisations about what old buildings we may have access to for an exhibition (Donkey Wheel house?), need to get in Robert Doyles ear about the Melbourne Building on Elizabeth Street too.

All offers of setting up accepted, exceptionally beautiful young ladies all dressed up (duh) accepted, as for exhibition theme - I was thinking more along the Oxford lines - but maybe add some wallpapered panels for effect.

The display panels are easy to make - just 2" x 1" pine framed 3ply panelled portable walls ( I have made loads of these for theatre).

Wildilocks and Omegamorningstar - I would love your expert advice, social network access and talented input into this project.

[frabjous]

Sign me up as a helper!

I used to be a PA a few years ago (can you imagine?) - so if I've given stuff to organise I organise it!

[maduncle]

Excellent list of helpers already - how lovely it is to have:

- Rowan of Rin
- Omega Morning Star
- Captain Phania
- Frabjous
- Prof Eumides Blakehurst
- Robo Von Bismark

  amongst the willing participants in getting this off the ground.


Now, I did receive a response from the office of the Melbourne International Arts Festival - seems you have to be 'invited' to participate by the artistic director of the event, depending upon their vision for said event.

Enough said - I shall be contacting Fringe early next year - they are open to most things and will accept event registration.

Meanwhile - my plan is to start thinking up some objects to build for the exhibition, probably some fake scientific ocular devices or some such thing. We need to decide early on if guns are in or not - my preference is 'not' but I will be guided by you. It may be we cannot exhibit gun props anyway.

Also - rather than just call it 'Steampunk' we need a name for the exhibition that speaks of steampunk and the Antipodes, so put your steam powered thinking helmets on folks.

[Robo Von Bismark]

so put your steam powered thinking helmets on folks.

That would be a great display item!!!

I think with the "no-guns" approach would be smart. Weapons of any type would probably alienate the people involved with the fringe festival. Maybe it would be OK as part of a "fashion shoot" (photographs of people in adventure settings).

Maduncle, I am still working on some concepts for that kiosk. Work is flat out, so i havent had a chance to get anything down on paper (so to speak). Mainly I want to see how achievable some of the concepts are, there are a few people i have to run ideas by.

[Prof Eumides Blakehurst]

Though I would suspect that action photos of Antipodean steampunkers hunting bunyips with steamy rifles and pistols would be OK. 

[Choreocrat]

What about a steamy sonic device?

[maduncle]

I think a photo shoot of Antipodean Adventurers out hunting Bunyip could be a great part of the display, do we know any photographers?

Although - perhaps it should be done as 'specimen collecting' (with guns for protection from dangerous drop bears).

And I like the sonic device Choreocrat - keep adding more to it I reckon, think total absurdity!

[Prof Eumides Blakehurst]

I think a photo shoot of Antipodean Adventurers out hunting Bunyip could be a great part of the display, do we know any photographers?

Well, around Canberra I can call on my neice who is a professional photographer (specialising in portraits, but she thought of doing pin-up photos of her uncle was icky  ).

There must be people who know people in Melbourne!!

I must get building - I have all sorts of plans drawn up for various devices, I just have to clear space and get started.

[Robert Le Mal]

Dear Mad Uncle,

your proposition is a stirling idea which I would like to support. I have a large white vehicle (van) which would be at your service, or perhaps if dance was part of the program I could assist with music. My gorgeous wife was formerly a desktop publisher by trade and I have no doubt that should you require digital art work she would be most happy to assist.

Your faithful servant

Robert Le Mal

[maduncle]

Oh how lovely - a man with a van!

You will be made very welcome and become instantly useful.

And by strange coincidence - my former wife was a gorgeous desktop publisher!

[Robert Le Mal]

Dear Mad Uncle,

I think every man of education and taste should at some point in his life marry a gorgeous desktop publisher, it's the done thing.

Your faithful servant

Robert Le Mal

[Hallward]

I would like to offer up whatever services my meager talents can supply.

I have an acquaintance here in Melbourne who happens to be a photographer, some of photos can be seen at http://www.furaffinity.net/user/loganhusky/

[maduncle]

Welcome aboard Hallward!

As of today I have enlisted the enthusiastic support of my dear friend Amanda who is a most excellent and talented graphic designer and into steampunk.

Amanda's friends Stirling Gill-Chambers and his partner Alex return from the UK soon an will be moving to Melbourne in Jamuary(they were in the Rolling Stone article on Steampunk) and I am sure we will get them both on board to assist with music, catering and a steampunk fashion parade.

I am also talking to Darebin council about potential sites close to Melbourne if we can't get one right in Melbourne.

As for Melbourne sites - anyone know who is using the old tramways building on the corner of Gertude St and Nicholson St?

I am going to focus on securing a site before Christmas if I can - all the good ones go so early when it comes to festival time in October.

[CaptainPhania]

As for Melbourne sites - anyone know who is using the old tramways building on the corner of Gertude St and Nicholson St?

It's state government owned, used by Yarra Trams. I can tell you with reasonable certainty that it's sadly not an option. It houses a "security room".