SteamPunk
December 31st, 2010 § Leave a Comment
“Before the age of homogenization and micro-machinery, before the tyrannous efficiency of internal combustion and the domestication of electricity, lived beautiful, monstrous machines that lived and breathed and exploded unexpectedly at inconvenient moments. It was a time where art and craft were united, where unique wonders were invented and forgotten, and punks roamed the streets, living in squats and fighting against despotic governance through wit, will and wile.”
-SteamPunk Magazine
Maybe I’m the last person to notice it or maybe you’re like me and don’t know about the quirky subculture that is SteamPunk. It’s a few years old I guess, but I’m kinda convinced it’s going to be the new “hipster” (YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST FOLKS!).
I first discovered SteamPunk a few days ago, coming across the unfamiliar word in some random blog, attached to pictures of gorgeous, antiquey interior designs. I proceeded to google the term–I was shocked that anything in the world could make me even mildly interested in decor. Garage sale finds that don’t “go” at all is usually how I roll; little attention is paid to how the room ends up looking. But let’s just say I wouldn’t mind living here (as long as there is something very comfortable for lounging somewhere out of frame).
See?!! It looks hodgepodgy but in a better way. Vintage and smart decor with emphasis on watch parts and ancient machines, brassy stuff and chandeliers. Antique yet sci-fi. Part Sherlock Holmes, part Royal Tenenbaums, part science: three of my favorite things.
As far as the fashion goes, some Steampunks dress like these fellows: nice n’ dapper. Others go crazycool and end up looking like goggled brass robots.
My best find of all on this google adventure was SteamPunk magazine, available for download online–FO’ FREE!! There is also a bonus Guide to the Apocalypse which I read entirely and loved, finding it simultaneously informative, thought-provoking, and slightly satirical. You’ll want me on your team come doomsday. I’ve been skimming the other issues, loving some parts (cool crafts), not so much others (occasionally pretentious vocab and slightly culty vibes). Overall though: NEAT!
