STEAMPUNK From a sub-Genre to a sub-Culture | Design Colloquium

STEAMPUNK From a sub-Genre to a sub-Culture

| design colloquium | | Akansha negi | | T.D. VI |

“Steampunk is what happens when Goths discover brown.”

– Jess Nevins

Abstract A crowd with a culture that set apart them from other form of social cultures to which they belong is a subculture. Also, it’s a ‘counter culture’ altered from a higher culture.[1] People seek Steampunk as an entire sub-culture consisting fashion, music, sciencefiction and cliques. It is a counter-cultural evolution which moves fashion philosophy beyond entrapped simple fashion towards contrasting fashion and becomes a way of life. Steampunk is highly inspired by Victorian era, therefore the color scheme includes dark, pastel and dull colors. Presently, their color palate still follow this color scheme. It displays the element of Victorian apparel, modern design techniques and fictional aspects. Many people don’t like the concept of steampunk due to its voluptuous clothing.[2] It is a very technological movement, the sophistication of the style should be introduced to the new concepts to the fashion of steampunk. The DIY theory of steampunk is eye catching. Also, the increase in readymade garments will change the behavior of the consumers altogether. the future will have a great demand of steampunk style in the market worldwide. [12]

Introduction A science-fiction of steam age which conceptualizes the future experience and involves futuristic imagination contributes towards Steampunk. The term ‘steampunk’ was coined in 1987 when the author K. W. Jeter used it humorously in a set of stories by grouping the Victorian period with future fictions.[3] The term portrays a genre of hypothetical fantasy engaging it with steam powered machineries. Since then it has been adopted to construe it as an artistic/cultural movement. In nineteenth century, the modern concept of steampunk was later roused by few more authors such as Tim Powers, James Blaylock, William Gibson, and Bruce Sterling. These authors were highly influenced by the forefathers of Steampunk, the writers H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. [4] The sub-genre as involved in the era of industrial revolution. Steam engines are vital aspect in steampunk. The word ‘steampunk’ came into existence when steam power achieved mainstream use. The steam-mechanized industry involved the use of tools, gears, metal, glass, leather, etc. These elements were hence, mainly used after it became as a fashion. [3]

[1.2] London: Paul St. George's ‘Telectroscope’

[1.1] Rare & First Editions: Steampunk

Steampunk was accepted by the mass as a sub-culture gradually. Its integral inspiration was taken from Victorian writers. Before becoming into a full-grown sub-culture, it was started out as a sci-fi sub-genre in the nineteenth century. While steampunk had previously been reserved for use as a literary genre the elegantly inventive style caught on in the world of other media as well, such as television shows, video and roleplaying games, films, literature, comics, etc.[5] The roots of steampunk were expanded towards fashion, art, and architecture too. The concept of the style highly influenced the masses as steampunk turned out to be an actual style being a fantasy based. The new and out of the box steampunk based gadgets and clothing tempted its fans.



Introduction A typical steampunk artist consists of a part inventor, part engineer and part scientist. Most of the artist are self-made and prefer to work under basements or garages. Their art is treated as a hobby to themselves.[6] A creation of a steampunk art is a balance between the form and function. The art requires a huge amount of time and efforts to make a single piece of it. The artists use certain materials to achieve the ‘steampunk look’, such as: o Metals (copper, brass, steel, iron, etc.) o Rivets o Gears & Cogs o Wood o Glass o Leather[7] Steampunk has a philosophical angle as well, which is somewhat of a combination between the maker ideals of creativity and self-reliance and the Victorian optimistic view of the future. This last bit has led to accusations that steampunk includes a fair amount of empire worship, which is a reasonable concern.[7] The style that steampunk carry makes it stand out of the crowd. The style was new to nineteenth century and fascinated the crowd being different from other sub-cultures.



Fashion The two styles Steampunk and Victorian period, are extremely close to each other. It is only distinguished by the known fact that Steampunk is based on sci-fi and steam power. Although originating as a genre of fiction, steampunk has become a subculture in its own right.[8] The art explored all possible imaginative sciencefiction as the basis of the steampunk was based on fantasy and inventions. There is a limitless thoughts and creativity to direct this culture genre. The aesthetics of steampunk style originates from both its clothing and accessories. The clothes are not exactly Victorian, adding in technological bits or intimations of a more adventurous life than a typical Victorian citizen likely enjoy. The Victorian inventors contributed in hightech advancement through resources like [1.3] Accessories: iron and brass and initializing steam Steampunk engines for power.[9] ‘Steampunk art has a very industrial appearance.’ The clothing style is highly inspired by the neo-Victorian look. The wardrobe of a steampunk contains corsets, petticoats, vests, top hats accessorized with technological devices such as ray guns, time pieces (gears, springs, screws), goggles, etc. [10] [1.4] Steampunk Attire: Women

Steampunk is usually recognized by the use of gears in there designs as, steam-power machines require a network of moving parts. The main emphasis of a steampunk attire were its accessories. As the sub-culture was highly inspired by industrial revolution and technology, it emphasis more on accessories made out of the use of a variety of metals. Hence, there were no motifs used in the attire instead elements like gears, levers, springs, screws, etc. were attached or fixed to the costumes. [1.5] Steampunk Attire: Men



Fashion A traditional steampunk attire includes a casual buttonup shirt with slacks and suspenders, accessorizing with a pocket watch or goggles including stunning gear decorations and gadgets for men. The look was given a perfect touch with a sophisticated coats and vests with neck cravats and boot spats. [10] Whereas, the first basic woman attire in steampunk comprised of a neoVictorian blouse using a scarf around the neckline with an antique broach paired with a ruffled skirt from the bottom accessorizing with a hat and military boots. [1.6] Traditional Clothing: Steampunk

[1.7] Polished Brass: Goggles

The accessories contains all kind of steampunk styled jewelries like rings, pendants, bracelets, earrings, dog tags, etc. other exclusive accessories include goggles, hats, caps, walking sticks, hair pins, heels and boots, belts, pouches, guns, etc. [11]



The Present & Future The unique approach of steampunk style towards technology and re-imagining modern capabilities are appealing. Steampunk is also encouraged by neo vintage movement. Its fashion has been gradually progressing through mainstream fashion, sci-fi films and aesthetics. Presently, steampunk has not developed highly noticeable as a common street fashion. It has been more popularized to the extend where it is visible at clubs or performed in couture lines on celebrities. The trend has not yet entirely explored into a functional or sustainable style. ‘Fashion lasts a season; style is internal, eternal, and transcends time.’[12] The style that steampunk carry is too urbane, which is not likely consumed by the mass. The only way to save the fashion from pitched away is to casualize it. The integral constancy of all steampunk clothing is what makes it attractive on a day-to-day basis. Steampunk’s rise as a fashion aesthetic is timely, as the very best of it is handmade, upcycled, collected, and one-of-a-kind. Now, the style doesn’t limit itself to wearing only clothes with a Victorian flair. Other antique, vintage, and ethnic influences has brought up the new interest to consumers wardrobe without losing the identity of the conventional look. People are ready to try with various looks of steampunk. The concept pf DIY (do-it-yourself) has influenced the crowd intensely. Individuals gather pieces directly from secondhand vintage stores and create an attire for themselves with interesting fabric modifications to own a steampunk style.[12] Although, the society is willing to experiment with [1.8] DIY the current trend followed in the market the originality of keeping mechanic elements attached to the attire hasn’t departed. This style majorly makes steampunk different from all other subcultures. It indicates the elements of Victorian apparel, fiction and new introduced techniques. Hardcore steampunks seem pleased by the attention given to them by the garment industry. In future, the ready-made steampunk clothing lines would expand but this can cause a defeat to the DIY nature of the subculture. This will lead the fashion known to the world with its great demands worldwide.



References [1] https://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Subculture.html

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[2] http://steampunk.wikia.com/wiki/History_of_steampunk

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[3] http://steampunkdistrict.com/what-is-steampunk/

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[4] https://sites.google.com/a/depauw.edu/airships-and-corsets/history-origins

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[5] http://steampunk.wikia.com/wiki/Steampunk

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[6] http://people.howstuffworks.com/steampunk.htm

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[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk#Art_and_design

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[8] http://steampunk.wikia.com/wiki/Steampunk_culture

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[9] http://people.howstuffworks.com/steampunk.htm

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[10] http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/s-209-mens-steampunk-clothing.aspx

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[11] http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/seeker.aspx?cat=0&Sec=0&price=0-100000&st=Steampunkv (18.04.2014) [12] http://www.steampunkmagazine.com/category/magazine/

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[1.1] http://www.ilab.org/thumb/documentation/685/600/600/image2.jpg, http://www.ilab.org/thumb/documentation/685/600/600/image3.jpg

(19.04.2014)

[1.2] http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Telectroscope_aperture_at_London_City_Hall_showing_Tow er_Bridge_and_Canary_Wharf.jpg, http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/00/Telectroscope_observers_in_London.jpg (19.04.2014) [1.3] http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/images/Section/medium/79.png

(19.04.2014)

[1.4] http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mgyYTW2w19c/TUhZKW069qI/AAAAAAAAKmg/iDy3uk3tBvU/s1600/Tubmlr+Beauties.gif (19.04.2014) [1.5] http://beautyandthebestoftherest.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/sp8.jpg

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[1.6] The Steampunk Magazine Vol. #7

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[1.7] http://steampunkgods.com/wpcontent/uploads/2014/02/steampunk_goggles_polished_brass_brown_leather_by_ambassadormann-d4zv21s1.jpg (19.04.2014) [1.8] http://airshiphorizons.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/diy.jpg

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