STEAM!
Media Release
Steam!
A collision of history, art and engineering
3rd and 4th of November 2012
Goldsmith Steam Rally, Beaufort
In celebration of the longest running steam rally in the world, Ken Evans and Rebecca Russell will present a large scale, outdoor theatrical extravaganza: Steam! on 3rd and 4th November, 2012 at the Goldsmith Rally arena near Beaufort. The twilight sound and light spectacular will mark the 100th Goldsmith Steam Rally with a collision of steam power, engineering and art. The culmination of the show will be a moment’s freeze frame creating a grande tableaux which will be photographed to create a commemorative image of the 100th rally.
The visual feast will begin with a furnace and crucible smelting molten metal followed by the gradual addition of the fantastically dressed neo Victorian Steampunk performers and a daunting array of steam powered engines including the enormous 1904 Ruston steam shovel. The show’s soundscape combines the passionate conversation of Goldsmith steam enthusiasts, found sound and live accompaniment.
The history of the steam engine stretches back as far as the first century AD; the first recorded rudimentary steam engine being the aeolipile described by Greek mathematician Hero of Alexandria. A recreation of the Hero engine will feature in the show. The steam engine was a critical component of the Industrial Revolution, providing the prime mover for modern mass-production manufacturing methods. Modern steam turbines still generate about 90% of the electric power in the United States. The Goldsmith Steam Preservation Society recognises the important role that steam engines have played in the modern world. Their passion for the engineering is evident. The production will pay homage to world-changing power of steam.
Steam! is a collaboration between the Goldsmith Steam Preservation Society, the Steampunk community of Melbourne and local and Melbourne based artists. Ken Evans and Rebecca Russell have been collaborating over the last 7 years creating short films, installations and visual theatre. Ken Evans has a long history in theatre as a cofounder and designer with Handspan Theatre. Rebecca Russell works with a form of verbatim theatre that uses recorded conversations to shape the soundtrack and dramatic content of the show. Together they have conceived and produced Steam!. Steampunk is a unique movement that began as a literary genre in the 1990’s. It encompasses art, fashion, and design with a neo-Victorian aesthetic.
The production will feature sound design and composition by Wayne Parker using field recordings of the engines to form the core of the music. Leading exponent of the Steampunk movement, Alexandra Chambers, has created exquisite neo-Victorian costumes. Lighting design by internationally acclaimed Philip Lethlean and choreography by Lynden Nicholls will complete the tableaux. The final work of art, a large scale commemorative photograph will be taken by Clunes photographer, Neil Newitt.
STEAM! is supported by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria and was made possible by the Australian Governments regional arts program, the Regional Arts Fund, which gives all Australians, wherever they live, better access to opportunities to practise and experience the arts. The Regional Arts Fund is administered in Victoria by Regional Arts Victoria.
STEAM! is also supported by The Pyrenees Shire.
For all media enquiries: Michaela Settle 0400 267 288 email: [email protected]
Steam!
A collision of history, art and engineering
3rd and 4th of November 2012
Goldsmith Steam Rally, Beaufort
In celebration of the longest running steam rally in the world, Ken Evans and Rebecca Russell will present a large scale, outdoor theatrical extravaganza: Steam! on 3rd and 4th November, 2012 at the Goldsmith Rally arena near Beaufort. The twilight sound and light spectacular will mark the 100th Goldsmith Steam Rally with a collision of steam power, engineering and art. The culmination of the show will be a moment’s freeze frame creating a grande tableaux which will be photographed to create a commemorative image of the 100th rally.
The visual feast will begin with a furnace and crucible smelting molten metal followed by the gradual addition of the fantastically dressed neo Victorian Steampunk performers and a daunting array of steam powered engines including the enormous 1904 Ruston steam shovel. The show’s soundscape combines the passionate conversation of Goldsmith steam enthusiasts, found sound and live accompaniment.
The history of the steam engine stretches back as far as the first century AD; the first recorded rudimentary steam engine being the aeolipile described by Greek mathematician Hero of Alexandria. A recreation of the Hero engine will feature in the show. The steam engine was a critical component of the Industrial Revolution, providing the prime mover for modern mass-production manufacturing methods. Modern steam turbines still generate about 90% of the electric power in the United States. The Goldsmith Steam Preservation Society recognises the important role that steam engines have played in the modern world. Their passion for the engineering is evident. The production will pay homage to world-changing power of steam.
Steam! is a collaboration between the Goldsmith Steam Preservation Society, the Steampunk community of Melbourne and local and Melbourne based artists. Ken Evans and Rebecca Russell have been collaborating over the last 7 years creating short films, installations and visual theatre. Ken Evans has a long history in theatre as a cofounder and designer with Handspan Theatre. Rebecca Russell works with a form of verbatim theatre that uses recorded conversations to shape the soundtrack and dramatic content of the show. Together they have conceived and produced Steam!. Steampunk is a unique movement that began as a literary genre in the 1990’s. It encompasses art, fashion, and design with a neo-Victorian aesthetic.
The production will feature sound design and composition by Wayne Parker using field recordings of the engines to form the core of the music. Leading exponent of the Steampunk movement, Alexandra Chambers, has created exquisite neo-Victorian costumes. Lighting design by internationally acclaimed Philip Lethlean and choreography by Lynden Nicholls will complete the tableaux. The final work of art, a large scale commemorative photograph will be taken by Clunes photographer, Neil Newitt.
STEAM! is supported by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria and was made possible by the Australian Governments regional arts program, the Regional Arts Fund, which gives all Australians, wherever they live, better access to opportunities to practise and experience the arts. The Regional Arts Fund is administered in Victoria by Regional Arts Victoria.
STEAM! is also supported by The Pyrenees Shire.
For all media enquiries: Michaela Settle 0400 267 288 email: [email protected]