Conversational Fine Art Sewing

What Steampunk Means to Me

To me, steampunk is about creating a new future, independent from the industrial cog model of life. It is about doing things for ourselves, supporting the endeavors of other independent creators, freedom of information, and breaking away from cold efficiency to make things beautiful, even when that beauty serves no utilitarian function. It is about art, creativity, invention, education, history, and bringing joy back into the everyday things of life.

Steampunk stems out of a sub-genre of science fiction, but the subculture is so much more.  It often harkens back to the Victorian for inspiration for fashion, decorative aesthetics, and devices, but not always.  A steampunk and a Neo-Victorian may at times dress indistinguishably from each other, but Neo-Victorianism is its own thing, much the way goth and punk rock once ran the same circles and at the beginning of both the lines between the two were very blurry, especially to outsiders.  I believe the key difference between steampunk and Neo-Victorian is that steampunk is not at all interested in recreating a version of the Victorian as it actually was.  Steampunk wants to create a sometimes Victorian-like (or Victorian-descended post-apocalyptic) otherworld, otherfuture, otherlife, where we re-make the things that we see as being good about the Victorian and then take and abrupt turn down a path we wish history had taken.  When we bring in the bad things about the Victorian, like imperialism, industrialization, racism, and misogyny, they serve as the foil, the evil, the villain, and allow us to make a game of showing what is wrong in the world so we can more clearly see what we would rather be.  The post-apocalyptic mode of steampunk allows us to wipe the slate clean, have some adventure, and rebuild completely from scratch a society of our own making.  Even when steampunk absorbs itself in apocalyptic themes, it builds something from the rubble.  Apocalypse is not the end of all.  It’s the end of what was, and the beginning of something different.  Steampunk is that something different that isn’t exactly like anything which existed before.

And then there is cosplay.  Cosplay is the neat label that allows grown men and women to don outlandish outfits, strap on bizarre accouterments, take new names, create characters, and act out other realities which don’t actually exist with a bunch of other grown men and women.  Cosplay makes it OK, because we’re not alone in a crowd afraid of looking like a nut.  Cosplay makes steampunk safe and fun, which is fantastic!  Steampunk gets more public exposure and newcomers get an easy, uncomplicated introduction.  It’s amazing how many people find steampunk because of the clothes, and get sucked in by all the other wondrous things.  It’s the other wondrous things that make people stay in steampunk.  Once we stay, some of us wear the clothes as a matter of course, but others never do.

When I say “steampunk lifestyle” I don’t mean fashion at all.  When a steampunk takes off the goggles and top hat, that steampunk is still a steampunk.  They may no longer be their characters, but they’re still steampunk.  Fashion is for play, and it’s an identifier so steampunks can find one another by sight and distinguish themselves from the rest of society (goggles, anyone?). All subcultures use fashion in some way to identify themselves. Steampunk is just often much more elaborate about it, but then we tend to be more elaborate about most things. That’s part of what makes steampunk difficult to pin down. Too many people mistake the flourishes for the substance.  Dig down under the adornments, and you’ll find workings more complex and functional than anyone can fully describe (although it’s fun to try).

“Lifestyle” is about incorporating the subculture into your everyday life, appreciating creativity and art, learning new things, education, reading, experimenting. It often involves having some manners and courtesy in your dealings with other people (unless they give you a good reason to open a can of whoop-ass), being honest, having integrity (not everyone does, but when they don’t it gets around), and generally trying to make the world a better place by not contributing to the crap. It’s about taking those things that steampunk “is”, and particularly what it means for you, and bringing them into the way you go about your day to day life, regardless of the trappings. Of course it’s awesome when someone steampunks out their entire wardrobe and home decor, but unless you have a shit-ton of free time or a very large budget this usually isn’t practical.  Most of us settle for a few outfits and a few household items that grow to quite a few over time as we purchase pieces, mod things, and make new items for ourselves.

A lot of steampunks are very interested in the DIY/Maker movement, environmental responsibility, and other politics, but since policitcal issues are not unanimous many forums choose to keep such subjects for in person discussion. However, I think anyone who makes efforts to steampunk their lives will agree that politics are important and have strong opinions on the subject. I don’t think I’ve met a single wilting flower, racist, or misogynist who had more than a passing interest in the genre or subculture.  I find it truly wondrous how many people who stick with steampunk discover that they aren’t actually wilting flowers, and that they actually are the kinds of artists they never thought they could be.

In the end we will each have a little different definition of what steampunk is, and only you can decide whether or not you are a steampunk.  If you have a creative heart, an appreciation for life, and a genuine desire to be a good person, I hope you’ll come play with us.

Post-Apocalyptic Garden
Post-Apocalyptic Garden