Forging a class of its own in art galleries, cultural festivals, music genres and gourmet coffee circles (yes, coffee), the local steampunk scene in South Africa is as hot as the coals from a steam engine at full speed…
A stylistic movement that is increasingly blurring the lines between fantasy and reality, past and future, fad and fetish – steampunk has crossed the boundaries from the obscure corners of the internet and from out of the dusty pages of H.G. Wells novels, to make its distinctive mark on high fashion, fine arts, jewellery design, movies, furniture and décor trends, exclusive craft spirits (looking at you gin brands) and even local coffee roasters.
And it’s not slowing down, in fact, new expressions of the cultural phenomenon are seen everywhere – pioneering a lifestyle concept that creates its own momentum among all ages, because with people who board the steampunk train, age is irrelevant and even like-mindedness does not hinder new creative manifestations of the movement.
A key feature of the steampunk aesthetic is the romanticising of anachronistic technological features set in surrealistic industrial environments that emphasise raw steel pipes, gears and buckled leather.
Decorators and home designers often take inspiration from this atmospheric combination to create “industrial” interior design trends such as industrial chic and vintage industrial to get that sought after “factory look.”
But in the case of pure artistic expression, the steampunk concept becomes a place of unbridled imagination, mysterious characters and whimsy – to form a type of a quirky camaraderie among creators and collectors alike.
So, whether it’s dieselpunk, cyberpunk or any of the offshoots of the iconic cogs and gears concept that tickles your fancy, they all have their special and peculiar place, creating wondrous and fascinating experiences – artfully stitching together new and unique communities from diverse corners of the world that continue to inspire others to create their own particular expression of steampunk.
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