I've been interested in the sub-culture of Steampunk since I read the works of H.G Wells and Jules Verne, it is a growing area with it's own off-shoots and often blurs into the genres of diesel punk and decopunk. However it is the steampunk aesthetic that most are probably familiar with since it began to feature in fantasy and science fiction films such as "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" in 1954 and more recently, "The Three Musketeers" in 2011.
As I have alluded to, it is an open genre, essentially visualising and ellaborting the science fiction works of the 19th century. This has led to works of outstanding quality and originality as well as some examples of the usual commercialist schlock. Fortunately there were only a few examples of the latter at the market (designers who apparently envisage steampunk as simply adding cogs or brass colouration to modern design).
The vast majority of the work on show was costume or character based, with a hoard of accessories which even I could not resist. I managed to buy a bandolier, having envisaged it's practicality in holding numerous pens. I would surprised at how little work was illustrative based or even concerned with setting and technology. I saw at least four exhibiting illustrators amongst the close to a-hundred stalls.
It was a fantastic experience, especially since the market took place at the Armley Mills and not to mention that practically everyone was dressed appropriately in various steampunk based attires. Perhaps come next year I will be able to exhibit my own work, as I plan to incorporate this genre into more of my work.
I suppose the reason for the growth of this aesthetic is a retaliation against the minimalist movements in technology which have brought about abstract smart phones, tablets and technology which is completely removed from giving the appearance of it's function. Steampunk returns to the roots of technological design, in which functionalist parts are exposed and exaggerated by design.
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