When I set about writing this at around ten o’clock last night, I had so much digital material at my disposal that I began to doubt I would complete the post before morning. Then I sat back and realized why steampunk culture has gained such popularity. Described by Wikipedia as “a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s,” steampunk harks back to an age of steam power and anachronistic, Victorian-style technology.
Steampunks are to the comic strip films of Miyazaki what Goths are to the gothic novel. They’re not directly linked, but are inspired by a growing trend: the attraction of a fantasy lifestyle, based on a previous and much slower age.
The term ‘steampunk’ apparently originated in the late 1980s and is a variant of cyberpunk, attributed to the science fiction writer K W Jeter, author of Morlock Night (1979) and Infernal Devices (1978). In a letter printed in the science fiction magazine Locus, Jeter said, “Personally, I think Victorian fantasies are going to be the next big thing, as long as we can come up with a fitting collective term for Powers, Blaylock and myself. Something based on the appropriate technology of the era; like ‘steampunks’, perhaps…”
These days, steampunk style abounds in fashion, art, design and interiors. There’s even a steampunk-themed indoor festival called White Mischief, held annually in London since 2007. Dabblers may be pleased to note that the steampunk look is peculiarly masculine – even the fashions for women have a decidedly male flavour.
Above all, steampunk offers a sense of escapism from the pressures of the modern world. It’s an opportunity to be creative, to make things, to dress up and to share in a sense of nostalgia for slower times and all things retro. And, of course, to take photos… like the ones here, some by me and others from a slideshow of White Mischief parties held over the past four years.
Oh, and have you heard of the world-renowned steampunk band called Abney Park? Here they are, in their ‘post apocalyse steampunk studio’ singing Airship Pirate … “we’re a crew of drunken pirates, we’re the only airship pirates” – a sort of Afro-Celtic jig to the sound of intrusively whirring aircraft propellers. Totally fantastical, but actually rather catchy, don’t you think?
Splendid stuff – what could be more retroprogressive than steampunk?
We love Miyazaki at Brit Towers – I’ve never really thought of him as steampunk before but yes, zeppelins and steam trains do feature heavily, don’t they?
Decadent, western society plummets into the abyss, values shot to hell, sliding into the nightmare world of a post industrial wasteland courtesy of James Watt.
Good laugh though but and I hope the merry-makers in the photies have taken the Tyrell Corp’s standard Voight-Kampff test.
I always liked Alan Moore’s League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, that was great steampunk from the 90’s, until they turned it into an absolutely abysmal film
Thanks Brit, steampunk is often classed as a form of ‘retro-futurism’. Miyazaki’s Laputa, Castle in the Sky is very steampunky. Other Japanese anime creators include Katsuhuro Otomo, whose film Steamboy came out in 2004.
As insanely insightful as ever malty, but perhaps films like Blade Runner and The Matrix are more cyberpunk than steampunk?
I’ve not see that film worm, but think it originated from a comic book too?
Yes it was a really good comic/graphic novel that got ruined by Hollywood as per usual… 🙁
Brian Talbot’s graphic novels Grandville (2009) and the new Grandville Mon Amour.
You’re right worm, Hollywood has a lot to answer for. And thanks Jonathon, I’d not heard of these ‘detective steampunk thrillers’.