steampunk
"a style of design and fashion that combines historical elements with anachronistic technological features inspired by science fiction."
I think that the steam punk fashion or movement is taken from to a greater extent science fiction comic books and later movies that created a alternative present day reality or alternative or parallel world, where some of our fashions from various era's, (such as Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian era's) were still or in fashion but where technological developments were same or similar to that of our world.
In some ways Steampunk is like cosplay and when not, idiosyncratic, but often visually interesting, and often elegant.
From an art historian perspective, the Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian era's were often very visually interesting, perhaps more interesting than some of the design that is found in todays world, possibly because during those times more emphasis was placed on quality hand made products, over mass produced products, partly because mass production had not reached the level of development during those times, but also, perhaps because during those times the recreational, medicinal and therapeutic use of a number of psychedelic drugs such as opium and cocaine was permitted and especially popular among some of the artists of the time.
Evidence of this act can often be seen in some of the art, and products of the time. Art Nouveau for example
was very influenced by psychedelics.
I also likely thing that the Russian art movement called Constructivism was also likely an influence on this movement.
I find the steam punk fashion fairly interesting, although perhaps need to be done with balance
otherwise you may be in danger of simply appearing to others as a complete lunatic.
I myself quiet like these time periods that influenced the Steampunk fashion, which was a time where you found UK and US being influenced by the newly opened Japan culture. So you find a very curious and strange mix of cultures around this time, for example, where you find Japanese Samurai adopting modern world fashions and hair styles,
while at the same time, you find European Gentlemen who travelled to Japan becoming practitioners of Japanese Ju Jutsu.
Personally i like the cultured Confucius influenced stereotype of the Edwardian Gentlemen Pugilist.
Coming myself from a martial art back ground. Recently, I also took up the study of hobbyist embedded electronics
of the arduino type, which offers much potential for SteamPunks to create all sorts of oddities and curiosities.
If i had the money, i would consider decorating my flat as if it were in the time of the Old Raj (no offence to any Indians i hope). With Sherlock Holmes, and Time Machine esq type of idiosyncrasy.
But, luckily i do not have the money...
I guess i will just have to grow a curly moustache instead...
03 Jul 2019, 5:34 pm
