The Orrery Dress © Jema Hewitt
When: 11th April 2014 – 4th January 2015, open daily 10am – 5pm
Where: Royal Observatory Greenwich, Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich, London SE10 8XJ
£: Admission charges apply, please see www.rmg.co.uk for details
What is it?
This Easter, Steampunks take over the Royal Observatory Greenwich, showcasing fantastical inventions alongside real historic objects in an exhibition which blurs the boundaries between art and science, fact and fiction.
Longitude Punk’d celebrates the madcap inventors, star-gazing scientists and extremely elegant explorers of the past and delves into a world where sci-fi collides with 18th century innovation.
Royal Museums Greenwich has commissioned nine British Steampunk artists to create works inspired by the technical inventions that were presented to the Board of Longitude between 1714 and 1828. The Royal Observatory Greenwich will house specially created pieces by Steampunk luminaries Robert Rankin, Lady Raygun, Herr Döktor, Doctor Geof, Emilly Ladybird, Major Thaddeus Tinker, Lady Elsie, The Alchemist and Citizen Griffdawg.
Herr Döktor, one of the artists exhibiting (Photo: © National Maritime Museum)
Standing in the Meridian Courtyard and opening the door to the alternate realities of Longitude Punk’d is The Globe of Dislocation; all that remains from the crash of time-travelling airship The Prime Landing, devised to navigate between alternate universes. From there, step inside the Sir Christopher Wren-designed Flamsteed House. Discover the captivating array of Steampunk curiosities displayed throughout its grand, historic surroundings as guided by The Commodore; a character created by renowned novelist Robert Rankin.
On display will be opulent and ornate apparel inspired by the night sky including gowns, headdresses, and a reimagining of Nevil Maskelyne’s noted silk observing suit. See outlandish contraptions purporting to solve the Longitude problem, fanciful submissions and whimsical illustrations presented to the Board of Longitude.
To coincide with Longitude Punk’d, the Royal Observatory Greenwich will be hosting a dedicated events programme, including sci-fi screenings in the Peter Harrison Planetarium and an extravagant Steampunk ball. Longitude Punk’d is part of the Longitude season at Royal Museums Greenwich, together with the National Maritime Museum’s exhibition, Ships, Clocks & Stars: The Quest for Longitude (opening 15th July 2014) and From Stars to Satellites at the Astronomy Centre.
More info: Visit www.rmg.co.uk and longitudepunkd.tumblr.com.