Steampunk HQ facts for kids
Steampunk HQ is a super cool art gallery and creative space in Oamaru, New Zealand. It opened in November 2011. This place is all about steampunk, which is a style that mixes old-fashioned Victorian ideas with futuristic machines. Imagine what the future might have looked like if it was powered by steam! Steampunk HQ shows off amazing inventions, sculptures, and even sounds and lights. There's also a yard full of other industrial art projects.
Contents
What is Steampunk HQ?
Steampunk HQ is found in an old building called the Meeks Grain Elevator Building. This building is very old and important to New Zealand's history.
Outside the Building
Right outside, you'll see a special "steampunk" train engine. You can put a coin in it to make it come alive! This old diesel train has been changed to have bright lights, loud engine sounds, train whistles, and even fire coming out of its chimney! The outside walls of the building are also decorated with cool metal art, like giant flies made from industrial parts.
Inside the Gallery
When you go inside Steampunk HQ, it feels like you've stepped into a dark, futuristic world. It's like seeing what the future might have been if it was built a long time ago. You'll find lots of machines and inventions made from copper, gears, pipes, and gas tanks. There are also cool skeleton sculptures. Everything is lit by flickering lights, with projectors and background sounds adding to the spooky, exciting mood.
There are two big, dark rooms and part of the basement filled with old industrial and medical machines. These have been turned into "aetheric" devices, which are like magical, steampunk inventions. Some of the exhibits are huge, like a steam tractor that puffs out real steam! There's even a boat with a grim reaper figure on it.
The Outdoor Yard
If you go through a back door from the gallery, you'll find a yard. This yard has even more large machines that are being "steampunked." For example, there's a train car being turned into a strong, fortified steam engine. You might also see an "Aethertractor" and lots of old junk waiting to become parts of new, amazing steampunk creations.
Awards and Festivals
In 2012, Steampunk HQ was named one of New Zealand's best new places for tourists to visit. It's a really popular spot!
Every year, there's a big event called the Steampunk NZ Festival. It happens in early June, usually around the King's Birthday Weekend. This festival lasts for three days and has lots of fun activities, including a fashion show where people dress up in amazing steampunk outfits, and a special ball. Right next door, there's another art gallery called The Libratory. It shows and sells even more steampunk artwork and sculptures.
