Rebels Guild: A Tavern that Pays Homage to the American ‘Steampunk’ Revolution
Client : Revere Hotel Boston Common
Location : Boston, MA
Description : 5ft. wide x 12ft. long x 4ft. high – Life size colonial era cannon
Materials : 40” diameter pulleys from a large metal steam engine, the column from an old Howe’s Postal Scale, repurposed handles from a vintage funeral carriage, dairy pasteurizing equipment parts and a large machine tensioner from the 1800’s
Timeline : 8 months
Location : Boston, MA
Description : 5ft. wide x 12ft. long x 4ft. high – Life size colonial era cannon
Materials : 40” diameter pulleys from a large metal steam engine, the column from an old Howe’s Postal Scale, repurposed handles from a vintage funeral carriage, dairy pasteurizing equipment parts and a large machine tensioner from the 1800’s
Timeline : 8 months
Challenge: How to honor and celebrate one of America’s first rebels in Steampunk style.
Solution: Create a dark, moody, metallic atmosphere complete with a life size sculpture of a reimagined revolutionary cannon to impress diners at a popular Boston-eatery!
After a complete remodel of its lobby and restaurant, the Revere Hotel Boston Common has created a “cannon blast from the past” by reinventing one of America’s first rebels, Paul Revere, as a modern-day ‘Steampunk’ hero.
The rebellious atmosphere was crafted in conjunction with Dawson Design Associates, an artistic studio specializing in hospitality design. ModVic, LLC consulted on the lighting elements for the 4,500 sq. ft. space and was then asked to contribute the life size centerpiece Steampunk cannon sculpture as the focal point for arriving guests in the restaurant.
As is the case with all ModVic Steampunk projects, the process started with taking a historical perspective. Bruce, with the help of Julian Halpern of Stealhead Studios in Holyoke, MA, researched cannons from the American Revolutionary time period.
The end goal was to blend the aesthetic of colonial warfare with repurposed objects. In this case, the team started with 40” diameter pulleys from a large metal steam engine. These unique pieces added the “S” shaped spokes to the cannon wheels.
The wheels are able to roll, but for safety purposes the cannon is locked in a fixed position. For obvious reasons, the artists could not make this sculpture fully functional.
The barrel is the column from an old Howe’s Postal Scale, and the handles were repurposed from a vintage funeral carriage.
Other interesting features were crafted from dairy pasteurizing equipment parts and a large machine tensioner from the 1800’s gave the look of an imposing crossbow – making it appear that the reimagined device could fire an arrow or a cannonball, depending on the situation.
With their antique arsenal in hand, Bruce and Julian spent time carefully assembling the elements into a cohesive whole. The effect was a seamless blending of parts to create the illusion of a functional, quasi-historical device weapon.
To further enhance the authentic look of the era, a patina technique for antiquing metal was used to give an aged, “bluish” steel coloring to the metallic surfaces.