‘Steampunk’ is the name given to a sub-genre of science fiction that re-imagines the Victorian era with contemporary level high-tech and mechanization using only the technology available in their time — like steam power, pistons. magnets, springs and lots of gears. As far as I know, the genre is entirely contemporary, perhaps reaching its broadest audience with the 1999 movie, ‘Wild Wild West‘ starring Will Smith, Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh and Salma Hayek, but has its roots in the works of authors such as Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Mary Shelley.
Steampunk artists also love to play with the elaborate mechanization of everyday objects — as artist Mike Libby has done brilliantly with — of all things — dried insect carcasses. His entire collection can be seen, and purchased, here.
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The insects with clocks or a watch inside are super cool. My mom teaches biology and would love an insect watch!
Comment by Cool Springs September 23, 2009 @ 6:54 pmYou should send her the address to the site.
Comment by American Elephant September 23, 2009 @ 11:36 pm