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<\/a>For the uninitiated, steampunk is a genre of science fiction set in Victorian England or \u201cWild West\u201d America, and it imagines a world where steam-powered devices and clockwork gadgets replace modern-day technology. Drawing influence from authors like H.G. Wells and Jules Vern, fans of the genre have imagined and even created things ranging from steam-powered cars and computers to weapons and prosthetic limbs.<\/p>\n
Husband-and-wife duo Lawrence Maynard and Brigid Skelton have been to both previous events; this year presents another opportunity to get together with other fans and show off their handmade costumes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was Brigid who got into it first,\u201d says Lawrence. \u201cI just sort of followed along. But [event organizer] For Skelton, the convention is all about the elaborate costumes.<\/p>\n \u201cI’ve always loved costuming, ever since I was little,\u201d she says. \u201cI loved being part of the Society for Creative Anachronisms, but they put a lot of emphasis on being historically accurate. Steampunk is science fiction, set in a time that never really existed, so you get to create your own vision. Nobody can say you’re doing it wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n Victoria local James Ketter knows a thing or two about costumes himself, having won the costume contest at the first event. His wood and metal prosthetic arm, featuring a fully articulated hand, was unlike anything the event-goers had ever seen.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s more than just stylized science fiction, I think,\u201d says Ketter. \u201cThings have to be functional, useful, as well as beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n Ketter set out to create something different from what he had already seen.<\/p>\n \u201cMy research uncovered several iterations, but they were usually just a glove with some interesting bits attached. I wanted to show how the technology might actually work.\u201d<\/p>\n The result was one of the most striking pieces so far at the expo.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a few people ask me if I had an actual arm inside,\u201d he says with a grin. \u201cSo I think it turned out fairly well.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\nJustin<\/del>\u00a0Jordan Stratford is actually a longtime friend, and I was one of the first people he contacted trying to set it all up.\u201d<\/p>\n