Understanding The Steampunk Lifestyle
Above video is of the Steampunk exhibition at the Museum of the History of Science, University of Oxford. Video circa October 2009. But just what is "Steampunk"?
Wikipedia describes it as: "Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s.[1] Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain—that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne."
STEAMPUNK FASHION: 'Some interviews with steampunks about their views on steampunk fashion and their own influences.'
Adventures of the League of STEAM - with this episode named "Big Trouble" - check out more eps on their Youtube Channel, and their main website at leagueofsteam.com
We've seen them in more predominantly as "objects" - modded from modern products, and as customized "toys" (as seen on this blog), and visually obvious in Cosplay-themed happenings (seen in videos above). More and more the niche-movement is looked upon beyond fashion-aesthetics and even as fodder for feature films - with 'The City of Lost Children' (the Ultimate of Steampunk-themed films, thanks) and even Hollywood's 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' (adapted from a comicbook written by Alan Moore - the book was TONS better, thanks). Seems at the very least there is money to be made from "steampunk", innate?
Wish I could see more of this happening in Singapore tho - although the reach is hardly feasible as this island state is predominantly about "making money", and this sepia-tinged lifestyle just does not earn enough, IMHO. Nevertheless, we do not let the physicality of the feasibility affect what we get to see ONLINE, and I am personally grateful I am still able to enjoy the lifestyle in such means :)
Ironically, Singapore used to be under the British rule in the early ages before being brought own by the Japanese in WW2 - and as much as the footprints of British-rule remains embedded in the psyche of the country, these days Japanese Cosplay and even the commercial-tradition of the East, rules most of pop culture - at least in this island state.
