Steampunk is... Part 2: Steampunk vs. Retrofuturism

An unexpected Part Two of my previous article Steampunk is... For a few I was already asking myself the question. What makes Steampunk unique from other similar visual styles under the Retro-Futuristic umbrella, like Retrotronics. Now, many one genres like Dieselpunk, etc. are marketing terms, or tags, to make certain stories and designs sound more unique or because of the human obsession to label things that, 'look a bit different'. Steampunk is no exception, except is it was the first name invented for alternate history stories, like the Difference Engine, and Retro-Futurism as a visual style was a big thing yet. For better, or for worse, we are stuck with Steampunk, although a name like Retropunk would be a more honest alternative. Or at least cause less confusion. But would I really do the philosophy justice?


Steampunk, what does it really mean? Too people I mean. Or myself for that matter. Somethings you need someone to remind you what your passion is really about. Some criticized me for not writing about Steampunk as a feeling... And yes, that is very true. Maybe it is because of my academic training, or maybe it's because of a lack of inspiration. Who knows. But these last few weeks I came to a realization. A concept not alien to me, but something I lost a connection with and failed to put into words. Not for the lack of trying, but because I looked in the wrong place.

Now, I talked about Retro-Futurism (which I will now call Retropunk) in my last article and that Steampunk falls under that umbrella. What I failed to do was to make a clear separation between the two. Not because I didn't want to, but because I couldn't. Till a week ago, when my good friend Olly, from Rattles and Wheels,  gave me the insights that I needed. It that point I wish I had a recorder of some form, because what he told me was frigging gold!

Steampunk, is just a name. A play on Cyberpunk. But the nowadays it means so many things to many people. Such many things I ended my last piece with, 'Steampunk is a feeling.' So subjective It doesn't really mean anything, and I really wouldn't hurt to replace it with, Retropunk. But again, would a new, more general name cover the idea of Steampunk?

Some have argued that Steampunk 'has to involve' Steampowered contraptions. Now, this idea has been rejected by many, including yours truly. Many critics, like myself, believe it is too limiting, rather arbitrary, and would get in the way of future innovation. It is just a reference to a powersource common in the nineteenth century to emphasis the importance of technology within the genre. Yes, technology. Not just Steamengines. The Anachronistic Person's passion is represented in general by the Gear. the Cog and the Wrench. Sure we love trains, but to wear these as symbols are rather uncommon, even along Steampunks. Gears and Tools are timeless inventions that have been used by the ancient Mesopotamians and will be used when we displace the original Martians to Pluto, or somewhere else.
So, what about the Punk part? This can refer to both it's reactionary and anachronistic nature. To translate, a rejection of conformity, and the use of anachronism. With the rejection of conformity comes the idea of technological devices as personalized items that tells something about those who own them. This could be a ordinary pocketwatch, handed down from parent to child, or a scratchbuild Tesla Arc Cannon.
So, while Retro-Futurisme is an apt description on the surface, it doesn't describe what rests underneath. Steampunk is about making the impossible, possible, with Science! And technology. As a subculture we enjoy the idea of technological progress. Any Technological Progress, in past, present and future. We love to imagine an era were the Steampunk philosophy would have been realized. Our own Scratchbuild Society so to speak, with the elegance of past design. If we could, we would probably create our own little world like a display in a Steampunkish Snowglobe.

Capital of Cuberia by Vladmir Petkovic

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Real Steampunk is..?

 *This article has a part 2. Read it here.*

 

 
This weekend I have to face the challenge of: 'Having to explain Steampunk(!) to a lay audience!' How do you represent something, nobody can agree on? Well, a objective definition would be nice. Good luck with that one. But I tried. Is it satisfactory? You decide.

 

For me Steampunk means three separate things, that should not be confused with one another.

1. A genre of Alternate History stories derived of, the Science-Fiction, genre Cyberpunk (aka Cyberpunk in the past).

2. A visual design style that is both inspired by history and futuristic idea's and inventions. (aka Retro-Futurism)

3. The subculture, and it's collection of idea's, inspired by both Steampunk designs and/or Stories.* (Edited on 30-12-2015)

So, you can have a story or movie that has the Retro-Futuristic visuals Steampunk is known for, but is not a Steampunk Story. Or have a Steampunk were a Retro-Futuristic aesthetic is barely or not present. Steamboy is probably on of the few real Steampunk movies I know, but uses it real sparingly. I know more movies were the exact opposite is true.

All the definitions that I have seen (till now) try to conflate these three point into one neat sentence. But no one seems to agree on what this sentence should be. There are many reasons for this.

One of the reasons is, Steampunk is really inclusive. It fans of Steampunk will often include anything that is RetroFuturistic and say. 'Look at this! Steampunk is meanstream now!' But is it?
Another trend is to include terms like 'Victorian' or 'Steampowered' into the description.
Now, these are term that have their own subjective definitions that don't really mean anything. Steam-engines are not unique to the nineteenth century and Queen Victoria, has even less to do the the industrialization that is such a big inspiration for Steampunk.
To defend to use of the term Victorian, it actually refers to the nineteenth idea of progress, what series like Star Trek are known for. However, I would argue it's not wise to have an description that needs an disclaimer. Than there is the 'emotional baggage' and other stigma's that comes with the term 'Victorian'; I am talking about racism, imperialism, religious oppression, eugenics and all that other stuff most Steampunks don't like to think about.
Also it has a very limited scope, both in timeframe and geographically.I also find it very meaningless because when looking at costumes, real Victorian inspired costumes are more of an exception then the rule.  

Off course, my description isn't foolproof and includes about everything Retro-Futuristic in nature. But I do think it is important to realize that Steampunk has not invented Retro-Futurism or has a monopoly on 19th century inspired designs. When Prada or another 'mainstream' designer has a fashion line inspired by English Gentlemen or Victorian era chaps, it doesn't mean it's Steampunk or has been inspired by it. That it looks the same doesn't mean it is the same. Also, there are many works of fiction that include Retro-Futuristic elements that are not Steampunk, like Warhammer 40.000 and a lot of Japanese animation. To know the difference you have to look at the context and intention I suppose. But I won't get into that right now.   

The opposite is also true. When fans of Steampunk don't like something they are quick to say. 'That ain't real Steampunk!' On that all I can say is, Steampunk, apparently, is a feeling.

Read Part 2 of this artcle here.

Reflecting on four years of Emporium Vernesque, and my conclusions

With the fourth and final edition of Emporium Vernesque behind us I had some time to reflect on four years of this great event, organized by Johanna Theresia and Dick Zwart.
But next year there will be a musicnight with some Steampunk-themed bands without the market, workshop and the like. And that will be the final bow for this great event. Thanks Johanna and Dick for this great event. I'll wager It will be fondly remembered for many years. Not only was it an event that attracted the best of Steampunk the Dutch community had to offer, it gave the Dutch community an international reputation for being outstanding (rather this is really true remains to be seen) by foreign visitors.
It also has a special place in my hearth because it was the first Emporium that made me start this blog, and all my projects that came out of it. So, no Emporium, no Tupperware Steampunk, no Dankaert Lexicon and no RAG-TAG. So I guess it very fitting I ended up giving my presentation on the main stage during this last edition.
This last Emporium reminded me why I lved this event so much. It was in 'De Willemeen' were the brightest minds of the Dutch community met with some of the great from Great Brittan and the US. Yes, it was small, but it created a great atmosphere to discuss the current state of Steampunk. And, we do need more of it!

By Don Bakhuizen Event Photography

As agreed, I gave a general presentation on Steampunk, it's history (and relationship to Cyberpunk) and possibly it's future. I was also interviews both days on the subject, which incidentally lead to some new insights I would like to share with you.
It's no secret I am disappointed  with the lack of innovation within the Dutch community. I feel that the community has patted itself on the back for to long, expecting the general audience and organizations interest in Steampunk and Steampunk-groups would last, regardless of their acts and it's rather lackluster approach to what it means to entertain. For years I attempted to make my message clear. And even thou nobody seemed to disagree with my sentiment, little real effort has been made to change this.Organizations are losing interest, the audience is tired of the 'Goths in Brown' and valuable members of the community are leaving, on the lookout for challenges elsewhere. It wasn't a coincidence that my blog went on a hiatus. There was just nothing happening worth writing about. Nothing inspired me to keep at it. If it wasn't for RAG-TAG, I would have given up all together. And that is a shame . Because Steampunk has such a unique position, such potential that remains greatly untapped. It could be used to teach history and science in an entertaining way, yet I have seen few examples. Apart from, what I consider, wasted potential it also prevent people, who are looking for challenges or educational activities, etc. , to be interested in our community. An good example would be RAG-TAG that draws a lot of people from outside the community who just want to work with kids or want to explore it's historical theme in new ways.

At the beginning of my presentation on Emporium I warned my audience that I would end on a rant on this very subject. After the presentation, I received similar attitudes towards the state of Steampunk from Dutch and non-Dutch attendees alike. Steampunk suffers from a lack of challenges and innovation. Hell, I even dare to say this is the reason why pointless things like Tea Dueling and Teapot Racing became a thing. It ain't great. But it something! I would also explain the popularity of themed groups like the Steampunk-Gun Club on Facebook that was many contests and challenges.
Steampunk as a community needs to innovate if it want's to remain relevant in the coming decade. It needs to find new ways the get the audience attention. Especially in an age were artistic expression in the west is getting scrutinized by Politically Correctness and self-censorship.

It's not to late, but we need to take action, sooner, rather than later. We need to innovate, reach out to our audience and create real, interactive, entertainment. Make educational material and social commentary before we become another cultural and intellectual dead end like so many subcultures that came before us..