Who doesn’t like a great sci-fi movie portraying a future vision?
Yes, these movies are where the character lived in the 19th century, and the reality of this character lives in steam-power machinery feature, not necessarily advanced technology, something more imaginative and creative. The images belong to a different period; other than that, it’s being portrayed. Yeah… Steampunk! You got it.
You might have watched steampunk movies like The League of Extraordinaire Gentlemen 2003. Or, more recently, Mortal Engine 2018?
Or maybe my preferred film, “9”. 9 is an animation movie, and it’s about a rag doll that wakes up in a post-apocalyptic world and, with other dolls, fights the machines and discovers that civilization hinges on their success or failure. It’s a pretty cool movie.
Maybe it’s not your film genre, and it’s ok. I have been a big fan since I remember being me. I love the adventure and the action.
I was surprised and intrigued when I discovered Steampunk HQ was in this little town called Oamaru. Yury and I were at the door as soon it opened its doors. Let me show you.
Where is it?
This museum is located in Oamaru. It is a lovely little town by the ocean, south of Christchurch. The building is right at the entrance of the Victorian precinct, which, by the way, was astonishing.
The steampunk building is made of stone and was built in 1888. This building was storage and a “grain elevator.” The Steampunk HQ was founded in 2011 by a group of creative guys: Don Patterson, Jac Grenfell, and Brian de Geest.
They had a bunch of steampunk costumes at the entrance if you wanted to try. I think you could dress up and take pictures. They have this setup theme with a Victorian-style lounge chair. It could be fun, but it was cold, so I did not want to remove any of my clothing; otherwise, I would have a blast. I might do it in the summer… that gave me an idea!
Steampunk HQ
After passing through the main entrance, the adventure started. The building was dark, giving this an experience like being an insane scientist who is doing crazy experiments. It was cold, and the background noise was like being in a factory but with more macabre sound. It all depends on your imagination, and let me tell you… I have an abundance of creativity.
This place is fantastic because you are welcome to touch and play with it. Museum you cannot touch, and you have to be quiet here; you can go on top of the stuff and play with it. Really cool.
Everything is theoretically impossible, until it is done.
-Robert A. Heinlein
Then you pass by a dark area, very dark, you can’t see a thing. You go through butcher curtains, which makes it scary because you expect something to happen, or maybe I watch too many scary movies, and I was already conditioned to expect something to happen.
It did not. This experience was freaking awesome. Then suddenly, you see the light and enter this little space that looks like a “driving” spot of whatever you are driving. I loved it….
The backyard is so much fun. You have different kinds of sculptures; some definitely make you think twisted. There is a train where you can go inside and watch a rotating spiral lines movie like the crazy scientist wants to hypnotize you. The lines are circles and change for squares, but they are constantly moving…
Then, there is a gigantic motorcycle, like a Harley.
A colossal tractor where we took some pictures on it.
The backyard has spooky stuff, too, like huge flies or a guy on the top of the building fishing with an enormous hook. I think movies like Texas Chainsaw Massacre got some ideas from here …. BOO HOO…
Then, to leave the backyard, you must go through the Gate town, which looks like a cab-forward of a truck with these thick black butcher curtains that give the flair of a horror movie scenario.
The light suddenly disappeared, and all was dark again; it was cold, and your eyes had to adapt to the darkroom, which actually looked really cool. It was like being at the scientist’s office, where he did all the calculations for his inventions and unique experiments.
If you have a chance to be in New Zealand and Steampunk is your kind of stuff, then you should definitely come over and experiment yourself.
Science is not only a disciple of reason but, also, one of romance and passion.
-Stephen Hawking