Steampunk

If you were ever wondering what Dr. Jekyll was up to in his lab during the day whilst his alter-ego was out murdering people at night, it may well have looked something like the Steampunk exhibition at the Museum of the History of Science. The intricate and bizarre detail of Steampunk gives the viewer a sense of what might have been swirling around inside the mind of a Victorian madcap inventor.

The exhibits are roughly divided into three groupings interspersed throughout the downstairs gallery. There are small scale models of weird and wonderful contraptions, such as a cross between a church and a tank; life-size costumes made to be worn, like as the diver's helmets; and ornamental pieces of art, such as the skull impaled on a mesh of wires.

The exhibition itself is small but well worth a look if you like something out of the ordinary. Steampunk originated in America but is gradually gaining popularity as an aesthetic over here. There are a few Steampunk illustrations from graphic novels included in the exhibition, which hint at the movement's wider following.

One assistant informed me of the problems they have had with children grabbing some of the exhibits, such is their very visceral, tangible quality. One has just sold for £8,000. You have been warned!

January will see a repeat of the Victorian Portrait afternoon, where, after a 30 minute queue and some technical wizardry with a digital camera and laptop, they will print your very own side-on, Sherlock Holmes style, black and white picture.

IanH (DI User), 16/11/09

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