Requesting assistance!!

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Permalink Reply by James R. Murray on October 3, 2012 at 5:25am

I have copied your questions, and will reply to them as soon as I can. This will be an interesting discussion to follow, looking forward to it!

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Permalink Reply by James R. Murray on October 3, 2012 at 6:31am

cheat!

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Permalink Reply by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike on October 3, 2012 at 10:00am

1: How would you describe the concept of steampunk to someone?

Steampunk, in its simplest form, is contemporary science fiction set in the Victorian era. Like all science fiction sub-genres, there are variations on that. Though the Victorian era lasted from 1837 to 1901, the reign of Queen Victoria, the “Age of Steam” did begin before that and could extend as far back as you want so long as the steam technology is important. For example, while the authors of the 1632 series deny it, their stories set in the 17th Century are steampunk because steam power is a driving technology. The “Age of Steam” is also generally accepted to extend to WWI when diesel powered engines become more common but, as this is science fiction, there are any number of world changing events that might prevent that sort of change taking place, allowing “steampunk” to extend forward. Harry Harrison’s “A Transatlantic Tunnel, Hurrah” is set in the 1970s and is considered one of the early steampunk novels.

And saying “Victorian Era” is not to say that it happened only in England or only under the influence of the British Empire. The 19th Century happened to the entire world. (“Wild Wild West”, “The Legend of Korra”, “Sakura Wars”)

And it’s not narrowly focused on science fiction, fantasy, horror and even romance are included, although a technological bend seems to be integral. “The Parasol Protectorate” series by Gail Carriger has vampires, ghosts and werewolves but treats them as part of the rational world with scientific explanations for their powers. “Dracula” would be gothic horror, “Soulless” is steampunk.

All that having been said, steampunk has grown beyond being just a literary sub-genre. Costuming and the maker scene have played a large part in broadening that in much the same way that Star Trek fandom has extended that scene beyond television and movies.

2: What does steampunk mean to you on a personal level? Is it a way to pass the time perhaps? A hobby? Or a flat out lifestyle choice?

It’s a hobby. A hobby that takes a lot of my time and money but still a hobby. While I think about steampunk a lot and do a lot of activities in the steampunk community, I don’t think of myself as having a steampunk lifestyle when I am not in that context.

3: Do you see steampunk as a form of liberation/recreation? If so, can you explain?

It’s a recreation. And while I am sitting here during my lunch break at work writing this, I am not “steampunk” while doing it. It is an aesthetic I wear at conventions and other outings.

4: What first attracted you to steampunk?

One of the first significant books I ever read was Jules Verne’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” From there I moved on to H.G. Wells “War of the Worlds” and Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “A Princess of Mars”. I continued to read all sorts of science fiction, including those things set in the Victorian era such as “Sherlock Holmes’ War of the Worlds” before K.W.Jeter came along and called it steampunk. It was only after about 2008 when the “steampunk scene” was underway and I started playing an RPG called “Deadlands” that I thought of getting a waistcoat and dressing the part.

5: Do you read steampunk fiction/watch steampunk films or televison/listen to steampunk music?

Yes to all of that.

6: What do you think makes a person a steampunk?

Because the definition of steampunk has become so broad, it’s not for me to define another person as being steampunk or not. That having been said, I do have an aesthetic opinion on what may be more of less steampunk. To paraphrase Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, “I don’t know what steampunk is but I know it when I see it.”

7: Where would you say is the best place to look for inspiration? History or other steampunks? Perhaps a combination of the two?

My costuming is not very steampunk. I go with period clothing and slap some goggles on and call it good. This is because I take my cues from the period fiction and dime novels of the day. More steam than punk, you might say.

For someone else looking for inspiration, I might suggest going to a con or a meet-up and talking to other steampunks. On the whole, they are willing to share their ideas and help people come up with new ones.

8: Would you say there are certain materials (not necessarily fabrics - anything!!) that are typically used for steampunk outfits/accessories?

I find that leather and metal are much more common in steampunk than in other cosplay. Go to an anime con and you will find lots of faux leather and faux metal. People doing steampunk tend to use the real thing.

9: What do you find so appealing about the historical side of steampunk?

The 19th Century was the last time that people could understand the technology they were using and actually work with it. A steam engine, while complex, can be repaired with some knowledge and simple tools but today’s cars are reparable only by a trained, professional mechanic with specialized diagnostic computers. A telegraph is simply an electromagnet and a long wire. The electromagnet part is tricky but with patience and care it can be rewound. If something goes wrong with your cell phone, it goes back to the manufacturer and even they don’t repair it. They throw it away.

The 19th Century was the last time that individual craftsmen dominated production. The last time that a single craftsman built a product start to finish. The coming of the industrial age, mechanization and assembly line specialization took that away.

The 19th Century was the last time that an individual inventor or scientist could really discover things on his own. All of the great, society defining technologies of the 20th and 21st Centuries have their foundations in the 19th and those things could not be replicated today without a team of researchers in a university or corporate setting.

The 19th Century was a time of great change. The old world was becoming the modern world and that makes it interesting.

10: Lastly, do you think an upper-lower class theme is apparent within the steampunk aesthetic? In steampunk fashion for instance?

There are people who dress like upper class Victorians, and working class and in between. I don’t recognize it as some sort of “theme.”

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Permalink Reply by Shahbanoo Pantea on October 3, 2012 at 9:53pm

Oh, this brings me back :)

Since this is for your degree, I'm going to put a bit more thought into it than I usually do....

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Permalink Reply by Shahbanoo Pantea on October 3, 2012 at 11:17pm

1: How would you describe the concept of steampunk to someone?

My favorite thing to say it's the goths discovering color... BUT

I think it kind of pigeonholes the followers of the genre, making everyone from the outside think that at one point we were ALL goth (not really the case, although a good portion of us used to be)

I think for the most part it's an aesthetic, literary, etc. movement based heavily in the "Victorian" era (i.e. the latter half of the 19th century) and its Science Fiction and how we imagine that THEY imagined the future.

 

2: What does steampunk mean to you on a personal level? Is it a way to pass the time perhaps? A hobby? Or a flat out lifestyle choice?

I love Steampunk for a lot of reasons. I've made some very good friends via Steampunk, I've met plenty of interesting people, and I love to see other people's creativity in their outfits, gadgets, writings and other art. For me it's not necessarily a "lifestyle" choice, I think that implies that I go all out and actively seek out only steampunk things. I don't.

I've always had a love of history, and steampunk is a nice way to incorporate it into my life without the rigidity of historical reenactments and living history.

I also love the creativity and fantasy that this genre allows me. So I get to wear 19th century clothes, talk about time travel and B-space, portray my VTM character, and it's all OK and no one is shouting at me that "The Sewing Machine wasn't in common use until the 1860s!" or "Your corset has a spoon busk instead of being an S-bend!" or "Your battenburg lace parasol isn't period accurate!"

 

3: Do you see steampunk as a form of liberation/recreation? If so, can you explain?

I like to think of it as a recreational activity, yes. It's got plenty of events to attend, books to read, all things that you would WANT to do to unwind and have fun. Add to it you get to meet excellent people and make great friends.

 

4: What first attracted you to steampunk?

I've always liked it I think, even before I knew what it was. It was first an aesthetic and literary thing. I've always loved Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, and I've always adored the 19th century in terms of aesthetics.... Architecturally, fashion wise, and in terms of artwork.

Incidentally, I was doing steampunk before I knew what it was. I thought I was just being a type of "goth", and maybe back when it started, it was. But nowadays its a separate genre entirely.

 

5: Do you read steampunk fiction/watch steampunk films or televison/listen to steampunk music?

I do. Both modern works and the "predecessors" or "pioneers" in terms of literary works. I also have always loved movies like Wild Wild West and League of Extraordinary Gentleman.... I hear there's some new TV series out that are Steampunk-y, but I've not gotten a chance to see them yet. As far as music, it's hit or miss with me. There's some songs by artists I like, some I just don't. I think it more or less has to do with my mood.

 

6: What do you think makes a person a steampunk?

I think in our hearts we're all a little steampunk. It's a nostalgia for the romanticism of yesteryear combined with modern sensibilities.

I notice people I would consider steampunk have these things in common:

-They appreciate and incorporate the styles of the 19th century into their art, dress, and other creations

-The men are gentlemen and the women are ladies, even if their personas are pirates, scallywags, pickpockets, or anything "rotten". It's the nostalgia aspect again, the desire for a time when people still displayed little proper mannerisms, even if they weren't the "best" people.

-They are all creative in their own way, even if they don't realize it! I can't tell you HOW many people say "Oh, I can't do Steampunk, I'm not that creative." but the fact of the matter is they've simply not given themselves the chance. Steampunk brings out the creative-gene in people.

- They're helpful to new people. I can't stress that enough. It's something that I've distinguished between the historical reenactment groups I've been part of and Steampunks. I will consider even fellow reenactors and living history people steampunk who are helpful instead of condescending and persnickety, and much to no one's surprise, they usually are in their spare time.

 

7: Where would you say is the best place to look for inspiration? History or other steampunks? Perhaps a combination of the two?

Definitely both. The historical aspect adds a depth to your work that you just can't get from winging it. Other Steampunks can help to inspire and encourage you to try things you'd maybe not think of doing before. Maybe you have an idea but can't quite work out the kinks or don't know exactly how to go about it, but perhaps another steampunk out there has had the same issues, or done a similar project and can help you, even if it's just letting you see pictures of them in their fantastical garb.

8: Would you say there are certain materials (not necessarily fabrics - anything!!) that are typically used for steampunk outfits/accessories?

I think brocades are a popular fabric.... But really it seems to be universal that people love leather (usually brown) and brass or copper metals. It's usually the colors that are popular (sepia), not the materials (outside of course from the brass and copper metals). Even metals can and are faked with a paint job.

Cogs and gears are also materials that find themselves frequently re-purposed. As well, goggles are ever-present, though I tend to not advocate their use unless your persona requires them.... But that's just me.

 

9: What do you find so appealing about the historical side of steampunk?

I've always liked the aesthetics of the 19th century. I've always loved Jules Verne, I've always enjoyed the imaginings of Georges Melies (though he is technically more early 20th century) and that is really what brought me into steampunk unknowingly, and that is what about and why I continue to love it.

10: Lastly, do you think an upper-lower class theme is apparent within the steampunk aesthetic? In steampunk fashion for instance?

I think because it's a science-fiction modern-take on idealisms and nostalgias from yesteryear, the "upper vs. lower" class theme isn't as apparent. Yes, we have some distinctly lower-class personas, and we of course have many "upper-class" personas, but because everyone does what they can with what they have, it's hard to really define a line.

I think because it's fantasy, with a lot of people partaking in it not entirely aware of every little historical detail, even things that would generally be considered "lower-class" don't SEEM to be. Lower class isn't a tangible thing in this way, though a budget is!

 

 

I hope that helped answer your questions! As always, I'd like to offer myself up for brain picking should you need it. I'm always willing to help if I can, just pop a comment on my wall, or even ask here. (I'd say private message me, but I'm not sure my messages are set up that way)

Good luck on your project and degree!

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