Steampunk HQ facts for kids
Steampunk HQ is a unique art gallery in Oamaru, New Zealand. It opened in November 2011. This place shows off a special kind of art called steampunk. It's full of amazing machines and sculptures. You'll also find cool lights and sounds there. Outside, there's a yard with lots of industrial parts and projects.
Steampunk HQ is inside an old building. It used to be called the Meeks Grain Elevator Building. This building is very old and important, recognized by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
Contents
What is Steampunk HQ?
Discovering Steampunk Art
Steampunk HQ is a place where art and old machines come together. It's like stepping into a different world! The artists here imagine a future that looks like the past. They use old industrial parts to create new, fantastic things.
The Steampunk Style Explained
Steampunk is a style of art and design. It mixes the old-fashioned look of the Victorian era with futuristic ideas. Think of steam-powered machines, gears, and copper. It's like science fiction, but set in the past!
Exploring Outside Steampunk HQ
The Amazing Steampunk Engine
Right outside the stone building, you'll see a special train engine. It's a coin-operated "steampunk" railway engine! This old diesel train has been changed a lot. It now has bright lights, engine sounds, and even breathes fire from its chimney! It's a fun welcome for visitors.
Cool Art on the Walls
The outside walls of the building are also decorated. You can spot giant flies made from metal and old industrial parts. These artworks give you a hint of the creative things you'll find inside.
Inside the Steampunk Gallery
A Look into a Different Future
When you go inside, the gallery has a dark and mysterious feel. It shows a "post-apocalyptic" vision of the future. This means it imagines what the world might look like after a big event. But it's shown "as it might have been" if steam power was still king!
Incredible Machines and Sculptures
The art inside uses lots of copper, gears, pipes, and gas cylinders. You'll also see sculptures that look like skeletons. Flickering lights and background sounds make the experience even more exciting.
Old Machines Reimagined
Two large, dark rooms and part of the basement hold many old industrial and medical machines. But they're not just old machines! They have been remade into "aetheric" devices. These are machines that look like they could use a mysterious energy called "aether."
Unique Exhibits to See
Some exhibits are very large. There's a steam tractor that lets out steam from time to time. You can also see a boat with a grim reaper figure on it. These pieces are truly one-of-a-kind.
The Steampunk Yard
Projects in Progress
A back door from the gallery leads to a yard. Here, you'll find even more large machines. They are all in different stages of being "steampunked." For example, there's a train carriage being turned into a strong, fortified steam engine.
The "Aethertractor" and More
You might also see an "Aethertractor" in the yard. Plus, there's a collection of old junk. This junk is waiting to become parts of new and exciting steampunk creations!
Steampunk HQ's Popularity
A Top Tourist Spot
In 2012, Steampunk HQ was named one of New Zealand's best new tourist attractions. People love to visit and see the amazing art.
The Annual Steampunk Festival
Every year, the Steampunk NZ Festival takes place in early June. This festival has three days of fun activities. It includes a fashion show where people dress up in steampunk outfits. There's also a special ball.
More Steampunk Art Nearby
Right next door to Steampunk HQ is The Libratory art gallery. This gallery also shows and sells steampunk artwork and sculptures. So, you can see even more amazing art!
