6 replies to this topic

[Maceo]

I was just wondering if anyone was working on, or has any costumes that are NOT steampunk - such as weird west, dieselpunk, atompunk, or other (non-steampunk) cyberpunk derivatives?


Currently, I'm looking into a Fortune Hunters' outfit of Crimson Skies fiction.
Pretty much 1930's aviator-type clothing. Quite dieselpunk.
Here's a photo:


I'm planning on hopefully knocking this costume out for next year's AVCon at the latest.

Edited by Maceo, 08 July 2010 - 12:12 PM.

[Merrick]

What identifies this as Dieselpunk as opposed to regular 1930's aviator apparel?

[Maceo]

What identifies this as Dieselpunk as opposed to regular 1930's aviator apparel?

That is a good point (one which Old Trenchy actually pointed out to me earlier today). It's kind of the same as when people dress up only in Victorian era clothing and then call it steampunk, but I'm not really so sure as how one would make the otherwise normal vintage clothing of the era look more 'dieselpunky' (as apposed the more simple steampunk idea of just adding gears and brass to something, at the very least).

As far as Crimson Skies fiction goes, the dieselpunk is seemingly more in the technology and setting than the costumes and clothing (it is a flying simulator/arcade video game after all, so the percentage of the time is spent in the cockpit of a plane or behind a mounted turret).

On the other hand, Indiana Jones fiction is generally considered to be covered as dieselpunk, and those costumes aren't anything particularly out of the ordinary for the setting (granted, Crimson Skies is alternate history fiction, where as Indiana Jones isn't as far as my knowledge, but surely you see where I'm coming from anyway).

[Merrick]

That's fair enough, although I'd disagree with the notion of Indiana Jones being 'Diesel Punk.'

[Old Trenchy]

... but I'm not really so sure as how one would make the otherwise normal vintage clothing of the era look more 'dieselpunky' (as apposed the more simple steampunk idea of just adding gears and brass to something, at the very least).

Steampunk relies on the clothing on the era as much as it does the tech and design. From what I observe it's mainly characterised by cogs and brass. It also relies on the design aesthetic of the time such as Neo-classical, romanticism and gothic elements, which can be seen in the rather flowery details (kind of like yoyodyne's cossie).

Dieselpunk would be the same in how it relies on the period's fashion AND the design aesthetic of the time. That period is defined by Art Deco and Streamline Moderne. Basically geometric shapes and simple lines as opposed to organic forms.

Take at look at 'The Rocketeer' as an example of dieselpunk.

On the other hand, Indiana Jones fiction is generally considered to be covered as dieselpunk, and those costumes aren't anything particularly out of the ordinary for the setting (granted, Crimson Skies is alternate history fiction, where as Indiana Jones isn't as far as my knowledge, but surely you see where I'm coming from anyway).

"generally'?!?! I think not! It's very much of the era as can be achieved considering how film making works. No 'punking' of the sort there.

Edited by Old Trenchy, 11 July 2010 - 05:36 PM.

[Maceo]

That's fair enough, although I'd disagree with the notion of Indiana Jones being 'Diesel Punk.'

I suppose I more meant that Indiana Jones is loosely classified dieselpunk, though looking at the link I provided in the opening post, it doesn't actually have Indiana Jones listed as an example of dieselpunk... so I don't know, maybe it's just me then. I think I'm just loosely classifying it as dieselpunk because much of the Indiana Jones fiction takes place in the first half of the 20th century - which pretty much seems to be dieselpunk fiction territory. And I suppose with the somewhat more mythical or un-natural parts of the films, I got the feeling that Indiana Jones could be slightly dieselpunk. That being said, I don't mean to say that any film set in the first half of the 20th century counts as dieselpunk.

Dieselpunk or not, Indiana Jones isn't a great example of dieselpunk (especially if it's not dieselpunk ).

Dieselpunk would be the same in how it relies on the period's fashion AND the design aesthetic of the time. That period is defined by Art Deco and Streamline Moderne. Basically geometric shapes and simple lines as opposed to organic forms.

Take at look at 'The Rocketeer' as an example of dieselpunk.

You were talking about what that period is defined by, and I did straight away thing of The Rocketeer (I haven't actually seen that film, but I'm familiar with it's dieselpunkyness).

Edited by Maceo, 28 August 2010 - 12:10 AM.

[Baralier]

Meh. Dieselpunk is what kids who don't know any better call PULP. The "suffix-punk" label gets thrown around far to much by people looking for genre for their cool idea, despite it already existing. I mean "Flintpunk"? Seriously? Atomicpunk? And then there's the epitome of self indulgence "Punkpunk". Riiiiiiiight.

The Pulp heroes of Indiana Jones, Doc Savage, The Shadow, and the Phantom fall in right alongside the supposedly dieselpunk characters of the Rocketeer, Sky Captain, and Crimson Skies. You could throw in Tales of the Gold Monkey I'm sure.

I've heard someone claim that Dieselpunk is supposed to be Dystopian, but I've yet to see any evidence of that yet.

Edited by Baralier, 24 April 2011 - 12:37 AM.