Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Steampunk in September!

This month, the library has a display dedicated to one of the newest literary genres: Steampunk. According to Wikipedia, Stempunk is:
"Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s.[1] Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain—that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne.

Other examples of steampunk contain alternative history-style presentations of such technology as lighter-than-air airships, analog computers, or such digital mechanical computers as Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace's Analytical engine.
Various modern utilitarian objects have been modded by individual artisans into a pseudo-Victorian mechanical "steampunk" style, and a number of visual and musical artists have been described as steampunk."

Some of my favorite books this year, including "Shipbreaker", "Dapperman" and "Boneshaker" all incorporate Steampunk elements.  Steampunk has a following through music, fashion, and technology--If you haven't tried it yet, perhaps check out one of the books located on the display, or make a Steampunk piece of jewelry: http://www.steampunkjewelry.ffxoh.com/


Steampunk is increasing in popularity--which is why the display in the library was created.  We could all use a bit of heads up from every once and a while...and a little time travel never hurt anyone.......got goggles??

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