Ray guns, Goggles and Corsets Delight

Ray guns, Goggles and Corsets Delight at Literary Steampunk Festival

Steampunk mayhem is descending as the Dunedin Public Libraries join forces with the Gasworks Guild of Gadgeteers to present The Splendour of Steampunk, a celebration of all things steamy during the first week of the July school holidays.

The Splendour of Steampunk will focus on Victorian retro-future, which has far-reaching modern influences on literature, arts and fashion. A Pearce 75 atom ray gun and the ‘Righteous Bison’ indivisible particle smasher, on loan from Wellington-based Weta Workshop, are just two of the items which will be on display at the Dunedin City Library.

As well as an exhibition of artistry, gadgets, and Victorian pieces from the Libraries’ Heritage Collection, the festival will offer performance readings, a children’s book launch, a show and tell evening and a ray gun and goggles workshop.

Guild member Kirsty Lewis, who helped organise the festival, says, “Steampunk has its roots in Victorian science fiction. It's based on how the Victorians thought we would be living now. So it's clockwork and steam, corsets and top hats, plus ray guns and time travel. People get into it in many ways from the making of Steampunk pieces, to fully immersing their Steampunk character in their lives.”

The festival will give people a chance to savour what has become everything from a literary genre to a lifestyle change.

The festival opens on Sunday, 5 July with Sartorial Selections, a fashion show in which the Guild of Gadgeteers will show off their couture. The Guild is inviting the audience to come in their steampunk attire to join the parade.

Steampunk Delights!
Gasworks Guild of Gadgeteers and the Dunedin Public Library present The Splendour of Steampunk, a celebration of all things steamy. Wax that moustache and lace that corset for a week of jolly polite mayhem. Pick up a programme from your public library for full details.
Sunday, 5 July to Friday, 10 July, Dunedin City Library

ENDS

© Scoop Media