Source:- Google.com.pk
Steampunk Corset Biography
Steampunk is the theme for a new art and entertainment series that kicked off in Lockport this month in conjunction with Old Canal Days and runs to mid-August.
It combines elements of science fiction and fantasy with 19th-century technology and machinery. Think steamengines, gears, gadgets and goggles, and circuses and corsets.
From a steampunk-styled Abraham Lincoln, rocket ship and other large-scale art, and the first-ever installation literally on the Illinois & Michigan Canal to a costumed gala and high tea, "The Visionaries: Summer Art Series" is designed to showcase Lockport, the canal town known for its limestone buildings, museums and nature paths.
"When you say 'art exhibit,' people think abstract or not something they can take their kids to," said Wendy Streit, committee chair and wife of Lockport Mayor Steven Streit. "Steampunk is playful, popular and very mainstream. It can be embraced and understood. It's the beauty of the 1800s Victorian period meets science fiction, the creative industrial movement and the idea all things were possible."
The inaugural series, which includes a Celebration Weekend July 25-27 with a gala, pop-up shopping and airsoft battle, will feature accessible art in several locations, perhaps most notably on the canal.
"The Illinois State Museum, a partner with the Department of Natural Resources, is partnering with the City of Lockport to do art in the canal and we are really going to turn this thing on," said John Lustig, director of the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery. "Nature is reclaiming this engineering feat from the 1800s. For me it makes sense for something to go creatively into the canal."
Artist John Siblik, a Lemont native and dean of the School of Liberal Arts at Upper Iowa University, has created "Canal Weaves," more than 75 pieces crafted from natural materials and placed on the water. Each shape represents a stitch, inspired by Victorian-era dress and corsets in steampunk fashion.
Cranes, herons and ducks are expected to interact with the art, which will dissipate over time.
Elsewhere, a steampunk version of Abraham Lincoln is located on the Lincoln Landing and a rocket ship kids are welcome to explore is positioned outside the Norton Building, 201 W. 10th St.
"Legacy 3D has created large-scale foam art for outside that people can sit on and climb on. They're impenetrable," Streit said.
Jason Brammer, a Chicago-based visual artist, muralist and painter known for site-specific installations, blends paint with hinges, antiques, wood and other sculptural elements to create 2-D and 3-D works that fool the eye. He will be on hand until Friday finishing his installation on the second floor of the Gaylord Building, 200 W. 8th St. It's the former home of the Lockport Gallery which dates to 1838 and houses the Public Landing Restaurant on the first floor.
At Tattoo City/Flower of Life Art Gallery, 1601 State St., award-winning tattoo artist Larry Brogan's Steampunk Art Show will open July 19.
"With this steampunk show, we've been hearing from people from Wisconsin and out west who really want to be part of this circus," said Lustig, a member of the series committee with Streit. Other members are Rosemary Winters, Main Street board member; Jerry Adelmann, president and CEO of Openlands and resident historian; Mitzi Blanchard, artist and musician; and Tom Alves, co-owner of renowned restaurant Tallgrass.
"Steampunk is quirky and fun and about the costumes and music," Lustig said. "If we give people a really well-curated art experience, they'll also come and hang out downtown. There's so much historic character in Lockport and we really wanted to raise the bar."
Celebration Weekend will include the following events.
Pop-Up Shopping: Special deals will be offered throughout the downtown area from 6 p.m. to midnight July 25 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 26.
The Gala: The black-tie event from 6 p.m. to midnight July 26 at the Public Landing Restaurant and nearby buildings will feature a steampunk costume contest and dinner and dessert stations. Steampunk entertainers will include DJ Vourteque, musicians Frenchy & the Punk, Moonie the Magnificent (comedy) and Candy Town (vaudeville). Tickets are $125 and required in advance.
High Tea: Enjoy tea, mimosas, assorted tea sandwiches, mini scones and pastries at 2 p.m. July 27 at the Public Landing Restaurant. Tickets are $35, $12.95 for 10 and under.
Airsoft Battle: The open play event will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 27 at Legacy Paintball and Airsoft Park. Admission is $30. Overnight camping costs $25.
"We are bringing people to our town to experience its beauty and historic value and to create an atmosphere for citizens to enjoy," Streit said. "We want to emphasize the beauty of the bike and walking paths with an amazing collection of birds and animals, the Lincoln Landing, a park and educational area, and the Heritage Village with its restored buildings."
Streit, an English teacher, and her husband, a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, own a marketing and graphic design firm. They were introduced to steampunk at a convention in Michigan.
"We met so many creative, well-read people," she said, "and here in Chicago there's a strong steampunk movement."
For artist and entertainer biographies, videos and more, visit the interactive website summerartseries.com.
triblocaltips@tribune.com
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