How to Create a not-so Antique Anatomical Figure for the 'Cabinet of Curiosities'

 

Anatomical & other 'Cabinet of Curiosities' pieces
on sale in specialist London shop.

'Cabinet of Curiosities'

Creating not-so Antique Anatomical

 Figure Pieces or High Prices

The sterility of minimalist interior fashion decorating has dominated UK homes in recent years, but there is a quiet counter move going on. 

The good news is the 'Cabinet of Curiosities' room is back in favour with some (including some within the Steampunk movement).  Collecting of interesting objects & artefacts has also been made far easier with accessibility of the internet. 

There those seeking out the 'different' & who clearly do not want mundane, boring bland beige sameness of smooth mass produced 'ticky-tacky' one piece injection moulded plastic seemingly created more for benefit of modern manufacturer & retailer, than the customer.

In recent years there has been a steady surge in collecting of Surgical Antiques & Macabre Anatomical Medical Pieces.  Many of the more spectacular prized early pieces already housed in private wealthy 'Cabinet of Curiosities' collections & museums.

Wax male anatomical figure, Italian,
C1776-1780

The downside is prices, sometimes of thousands of pounds are being fetched at Auction for such antique anatomical pieces & are well beyond the shallow pockets of the Boffin.

Boffin Solution:-

Create your own

Anatomical Faux Figure 

Centre of picture: Boffins Bunker
created Anatomical Figure

The Boffins Bunker Anatomical figure (centre of picture above & in image below) has been created by using a car boot purchased former child's toy 'Man of Action' (or GI Joe).  Wrapped head to toe, mummy like, in masking tape.  Coated in Black ebonised French button polish. Decoupage with a copyright free anatomical illustration printed off on computer.  Applied with PVA glue.  When dry, polished with Dark Tan shoe polish for the aged patina & wax effect.  

Above: Two example of Boffins Bunker Anatomical
figures (I) Skeleton (ii) Muscles for a 'Cabinet of Curiosities'

There you are dear Boffin Bunker Laboratory journal reader, a relatively simple project (NB: may involve sticky fingers)

Steampunk Cornwall Information Test Card #1

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

FROM SinS ORGANISER

 

EVENT POSTPONED!

See here for Facebook message

 

https://www.facebook.com/LadySephST/posts/480863821985015

.................................................................................................

 

 

Unfortunately Boffin has to be doing something else today. 

 

So here is a picture of a poster of a STEAMPUNK EVENT

(Steampunk in Springtime) taking place in Cornwall (UK)

on

May 11th 2013.

Further details can be found via this Steampunk Cornwall link

 

 

Get sticky fingers, glue on gears & call it Steampunk

Dear Boffin Laboratory journal readers

Now please don't get me wrong, I think the video below is very clever, really funny, both accurate & also skewed in equal degrees.

 

Perhaps one thing the Boffin liked & drew me to steampunk is my 'theory' it encourages people to personal creativity at many different levels.  The 'theory' that anyone can join in and have a go at 'steampunk'. 

...and for some that may mean simply 'Gluing some gears on' something.

That includes the Boffin to a greater or lesser degree, who just likes to tinker with resources available.  Those resources being (1) personal level of ability (2) materials I can afford/access.

Boffins Bunker Android Robot Desktop Pen holder
(Gears & stuff glued to 1980's plastic toy tat)

However having sniffed around the steampunk world there is a definite whiff of elitist snobbery  wafting up from behind a veil of otherwise polite & congenial conversation generally encountered in Aether web online steampunk circles.  

Much of this 'from beneath petticoat snipping' seems aimed at some eBay & Etsy contributors. (No, the Boffin does not sell on Etsy or eBay, but who is to say I won't?)

Ok, yes, the Boffin concedes there are some truly awful screaming gaffs out there for sale masquerading as steampunk. Some of which elicit even from the Boffin a response of 'you are joking', (Which is why there is the saying :- 'Caveat emptor'... Buyer Beware), but there are crafters genuinely skilled, creative & finding their own style, level & abilities...and having fun & maybe even making a penny or two!

There really are some stonking creative, skilled & astoundingly talented people contributing to the craft of steampunk aesthetic/genre.  Some more or perhaps differently skilled than others. Boffin weeps in complete & unabashed jealousy at the mind boggling talent abilities of some to create wondrous works of art, be it an object or like clothing that Boffin cannot even aspire too stitch together (as some steampunk clothing are surely a work of art).



The Corkscrew : Rob Higgs : Artist in Cornwall
Yes it really opens & pours a bottle of wine!

Britain's certainly got talent, (as have some resident crafters/artists in Cornwall) but in levels of physical & craft creativity which is often overlooked,  as demonstrated by the UK government expressed intent to drop crafts from list of creative industries

Having seen what is sometimes considered & constitutes as highbrow 'ART' by elitists drawing up the short list for such as the prestigious Turner Prize award, actually gluing some gears onto 1980's plastic tat & spaying it copper & calling it Steampunk, in comparison the Boffin finds sticky fingers to be most creative (& therapeutic) indeed.

This Boffin will continue to glue on gears & calling it steampunk.