exoskeleton cabaret » Steampunk

Collaborations

libby — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:57:43 +0000

I’m currently nesting in Indiana for a few more days until I head back to the Pacific Northwest to wreak end-of-2009 havoc (read: recover), but I realized I’ve been doing all my blogging over at the Steampunk Workshop and not attending to this fine joint.

So, here’s a wee update as to some of what I’ve been making, and most of it has been group projects.

Krista Brennan, a friend of a friend, residing in Australia, is an insanely talented illustrator who borrowed some of my photographs as reference for a handful of breathtaking watercolor and ink pieces. Everyone should chuck money and cookies at her for being so darned awesome with the art.

This one is of Willow, using this image from a show we managed for reference.

Chris and Bergen, from a photo I took for their engagement.

And yours truly, from a self-portrait. I am in love with the hairdo and the tentacles.

A year ago, I also donated some images to the recently-released Steampunk Style Jewelry: Victorian, Fantasy, and Mechanical Necklaces, Bracelets, and Earrings by Jean Campbell. I haven’t received a copy of the book yet, but the Amazon preview stokes my faith that it will be a fine publication (and I get a shout-out on the back cover! yes!).

More fun collaboration to come in the new year. 2010 will be my craziest yet. Happy holidays.

Steampunk Fashion at Steampunk Workshop

libby — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:43:48 +0000

So much steampunk we’re bleedin’ oil!

I’ve started my fashion column over at Jake von Slatt’s Steampunk Workshop. Have a look-see if you’ve a moment! I may begin cross-posting some content from here to there and back again, but this time I’m gonna make ya go look.

Thank you!

Holla, Steampunks

libby — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:23:44 +0000

Two items of note on that subject…

Jeff VanderMeer and I have been in contact for a number of months regarding the following project. I do hope you’ll considering contributing as well. We’ll hopefully be publishing some of my photography in the book.

THE STEAMPUNK BIBLE WANTS YOU!
Noted Archivist Seeks Steampunks to Index

World Fantasy Award winner Jeff VanderMeer’s The Steampunk Bible, published by Abrams Image, will provide a comprehensive and lavish overview of all aspects of Steampunk, in text and pictures. Research for this momentous and globe-spanning project includes the compilation of a comprehensive Archive of, and Index to, everything and everyone Steampunk and Steampunk-Related. This Archive will be made public online, and you also might be contacted about appearing in the book.

If you would like a website or blog link, book or brick-and-mortar establishment, to be considered for the archive, please send the relevant information to Master Archivist S.J. Chambers (steampunkbible at gmail dot com) or to The Steampunk Bible, c/o Jeff VanderMeer, POB 4248, Tallahassee, FL 32315 USA. Make sure to include a short paragraph describing your submission and your complete contact information. Although the Master Archivist’s extensive list of ongoing clockwork projects makes it impossible to guarantee a reply, you may be sure she will give each missive intense scrutiny. As part of a Larger Study, please consider including Your Personal Definition of Steampunk with your email message or snail mail parcel. Rest assured, the Master Archivist and her minions are also out in the World, actively seeking Steampunks for the greater glory of the Archive.

Annnnd, the included photo is of the illustrious maker Jake von Slatt, from a shoot we did Monday! Jake was here for Steamcon, and we spent a good portion of the event in the hotel bar, plotting over whiskey. I am pleased to announce that I will be joining the Steampunk Workshop as a fashion correspondent. Expect some bloggity over there within the first bit of November!

Thanks.

The Elder Gods Stop for No Wedding

libby — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:47:54 +0000

The Elder Gods Stop for No Wedding, originally uploaded by exoskeletoncabaret.

Last weekend I played wedding photog for a fine steampunky couple. 1600 photos in 11 hours of shooting makes Libby a very busy boy, but oh lord, did we have a brilliant time.

So, here’s a teaser…whilst I work on the massive pile of pics lounging on my drives.

Liz and Austin on the Virginia V, startled by rumbles of the deep. Fortunately, they had their false moustaches to protect them.

Carnivale Mechanique at Maker Faire

libby — Thu, 28 May 2009 19:50:06 +0000

Once again, it’s Maker Faire time!

Carnivale Mechanique, originally uploaded by exoskeletoncabaret.

I will be representing Steampunk Magazine at this weekend’s MAKE Magazine Maker Faire (San Mateo, California), which is the largest DIY festival worldwide. I think there were approximately 65,000 people there last year.

We will be one aspect of Carnivale Mechanique, which is an enlarged version of last year’s Steampunk Contraptor’s Lounge. We won an award at the 2008 faire for this area, and received attention in an issue of MAKE Magazine earlier this year. I covered a bit of the Maker Faire experience as part of my interview with the Chronabelle folks in Issue #5.

SPM will be joined by many of our extended family members: Jake von Slatt, Datamancer, Deshret Dance Company, Suzanne Forbes, David S. Dowling, members of the Etsy Steam Team, and more.

I will have print copies of Steampunk Magazine Issue #5 available for barter or purchase.

If you will be in attendance, please come say hi, brainstorm, dance with Nathaniel Johnstone’s band of wayward musicians, have a snack with us, etc.

www.makerfaire.com

IEEE Spectrum – The Steampunk Contraptors

libby — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:47:45 +0000

I nearly forgot to mention it, but three glossy printed magazines arrived in the post yesterday and reminded me: October’s issue of IEEE Spectrum Magazine, the flagship publication of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, contains two pieces of my photography. The pictures support an article by Eric Guizzo about the contraptors of steampunk, almost all of whom are personal friends of mine, and real bang-up guys. It’s a very well-written article, and surprisingly enough, gently touches on all the backlash steampunk has received since slamming head-first into the mainstream’s radar this year:

Steampunk fans regarded the criticism as pointless. What’s wrong, they asked, with some Victorian-era fans who enjoy building stuff, adding that the movement does strive to find a deeper ideology. “If you can imagine another world, it can allow you to creatively confront the challenges of the present,” says John “Manyjohns” Shamberg, a member of Kinetic Steam Works, a San Francisco Bay Area arts group, whose creations include a 10-meter-high steampunk tree house.

Seriously, you do not front on the guy with the giant treehouse and the Victorian mansion on wheels. You do not. Well done, IEEE! Read the article here and see the photo gallery here.

I should also mention that working with the IEEE was absolutely painless and they more than fairly compensated me for my contribution. It’s really lovely to work with professionals.

Only remotely off-topic: Jake von Slatt is coming to visit us Seattle folks tomorrow, and I couldn’t be more pleased about getting to spend election night with people like him–people who are actively making our country (and our internet) a more whimsical, intriguing, and functional place. Three cheers for all of my scheming and dreaming maker pals!

Steam Dream in the Boston Phoenix

libby — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:37:10 +0000

Freshly returned to the Midwest/blogosphere from my voyages to San Mateo, San Francisco, and Seattle, I received word today of the Boston Phoenix’s article on steampunk makers. I interviewed with the journalist responsible for the story a month ago, and she included coverage of many of the talented and vibrant makers I met in person at the MAKE Magazine Maker Faire ten days ago.

Check out the article here! I’ll be posting photos from the Maker Faire and additional West Coast adventures later this week.