October 2015 archive

Conner Prairie Logo: The Result

The new logo design for Conner Prairie features a modernized illustration of a log cabin with a serif font that communicates the modern design but also the established reputation of the park. The two version of this logo allow for variation when there is a limited amount of space for the logo. The arched logo would fit well with collateral such as mugs, baseball caps, etc. The other logo would fit well on official printed material.

[embeddoc url=”https://blogs.uoregon.edu/ahadsell/files/2015/10/Conner_Prairie_logo-297i7q6.pdf” download=”all” viewer=”google”]

[embeddoc url=”https://blogs.uoregon.edu/ahadsell/files/2015/10/Conner_Prairie_logo_2-2ibrvod.pdf” download=”all” viewer=”google”]

The Art World of Steampunk

Steampunk is an intriguing subculture as there are a variety of definitions for what steampunk is. The definition can change if a person creates a focus on literary works or if the person focuses on a definition based in the visual arts as both have now become prevalent in the world of steampunk. Typically, steampunk is set during the Victorian Era, often in the United Kingdom, and is a blend of the romanticism of the era with the addition of steam powered technology. However, there is no geographical limitation for steampunk and can be found in the United States, southeastern Asia, Australian, and other areas of the world. Many participants of steampunk attribute the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells as the Victorian literary stepping stools for the modern genre turned subculture.

Steampunk takes on many identities as it is used in the world. Not only because of the numerous definitions that can be applied to the term, but also the varying degree in which a person partakes in steampunk. For those in the United Kingdom, steampunk is less costume play and more way of life. Societies have been created in which steampunks can go to completely surrender to the mentality of foregoing modern societal behaviors in exchange for those of an altered Victorian Era. These societies have some presence in the United States, but the majority of steampunk found in the United States is through costume play, or cosplay.

As a genre that has transformed from a subgenre of the science fiction and fantasy literary genre to a visual world that includes sculpture, painting, and costuming with the addition of some use in television and film. Two examples of steampunk that are found in the visual world are those of the film The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and a scene from the ABC television show Castle. The success of using steampunk themes both in story and costuming in the film industry has varied over time, but appears to be gathering popularity in the recent years as many shows such as Castle, Rizzoli and Isles, and Portlandia (to name a few) have aired episodes featuring this unique subculture and its outrageous and fanciful material culture.

 

As this world is so expansive, the focus of this field guide with be on the material culture that is spread through social media sites on the Internet. As the number of social media sites are growing each year, a narrowed field of three social media sites will gather the items that steampunks have created and are sharing with other steampunks as well as those outside the subculture. These three sites, Pinterest, Tumblr, and deviantArt, are ideal photo sharing sites for participants of steampunk to display their creations for the rest of the subculture. These photos can vary from featuring small accessories such as rings or top hats to staged photoshoots of cosplay and intricate illustrations that retell well known stories with a steampunk twist. Below are some examples of materials shared on Pinterest:

keys              dress

 

(Source: mithical.com)                                                    (Source: fashionablygeek.com)

The components, or materials, of steampunk have less variation than the definition. Commonly used materials are brass, gears, velvet, wires, or any material that has a mechanical appearance and would most likely be used or seen during the Victorian Era. With these materials and a small sense of do-it-yourself, a steampunk (or novice) may take these materials and their knowledge of the genre to create a style that they believe to be a part of steampunk while also expressing their own identity and personality. Some variations on the style for women’s costume play can be found on sites like Tumblr such as the photo below.

tumblr_nwbwt3C9Ot1sljr6io1_540

(Source: steampunk-girl.tumblr.com)

With my experience in researching steampunk to this point in time, I have come to better understand how a few writers in science fiction and fantasy from the 1980’s have sparked a growing phenomenon. As I have tried to create my own definition, both as an academic and novice in the world of steampunk, my exposure to the literary genre has grown. With the increasing numbers of books read and costumes seen, I have noticed the overwhelming amount of the female presence in steampunk. Women are often the protagonists of a steampunk novel as well as most featured when looking at costumes and accessories both as models and consumers. While at this point in the field guide project I do not want to limit myself to female steampunk costume play and its presence within social media, I do need to acknowledge the fact that female steampunk cosplay will be found and referenced more often than male steampunk cosplay.

AAD 550: Learning Goals

This term, my goals for this class experience are:

  • Further my personal definition of an art world.
  • Gain the skills to use transmedia contexts within an art world for future professional and personal use.
  • Expand upon analytical skills when approaching the subject of art, culture, and society.

Learning Goals

Based on the learning objectives for the course, my goals for this fall will be:

  • Become better acquainted with the role that branding plays with arts marketing.
  • Overcome my fear/aversion of using technology as a necessary tool when associating with the arts.
  • Learn how and when rebranding can help or hinder an arts organization.
  • Gain better knowledge of graphic design and its growing use in museums.
  • Gain basic understanding of design language so as to communicate my ideas clearly and effectively.