Retro-futurism

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Buck Rogers, an icon of the future, first appeared in August 1928 in this magazine (image is not of Rogers).
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Buck Rogers, an icon of the future, first appeared in August 1928 in this magazine (image is not of Rogers).

Retro-futurism, retrofuturism or retro-future (terms combining "retro" and "futurism"\"future") can refer to two distinct concepts:

This article focuses entirely on the first definition.

Contents

[edit] Etymology

The word retrofuturism was coined by Lloyd Dunn in 1983, according to a fringe art magazine published from 1989-1993. [1]

[edit] Literature

The setting of retro-futuristic stories is sometimes a utopian society; its spirit of optimism and embracing of the status-quo is a complete contrast with cyberpunk.

Retro-futurism should not be confused with steampunk. While retrofuturism presents an antiquated vision of future, steampunk (which was written mostly near the end of the 20th century) presents a hyper-modern version of the past, in which newer paradigms like computing are carried out using victorian-era technology.

[edit] Notable Filmic Precursors

The Jetsons are a classic example of a 1960s precursor to retro-futurism.
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The Jetsons are a classic example of a 1960s precursor to retro-futurism.

These films and cartoons have heavily influenced the visual styles of retro-futurism.

[edit] Retro-futuristic Films/Television

Duck Dodgers in the 24th 1/2 Century depicted space travel in the far future.
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Duck Dodgers in the 24th 1/2 Century depicted space travel in the far future.

[edit] Notable Literary Precursors

[edit] Retro-Futuristic Literature

[edit] Retro-Futuristic Video and Computer Games

[edit] Retro-Futuristic Music Videos

[edit] Design and arts

A great deal of attention is drawn to fantastic machines, buildings, cities, and transportation systems. The futuristic design ethic of the early 20th century tends to solid colors, streamlined shapes, and mammoth scales. It might be said that 20th century futuristic vision found its ultimate expression in the development of googie or populuxe design.

[edit] Artists who have worked with a futuristic style admired by retro-future enthusiasts

Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy
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Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy

[edit] Architecture

An example in Shanghai of a retro-futuristic design in architecture
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An example in Shanghai of a retro-futuristic design in architecture

Retro-futurism has appeared in some examples of postmodern architecture. In the example seen at right, the upper portion of the building is not intended to be integrated with the building but rather to appear as a separate object - a huge flying saucer-like space ship only incidentally attached to a conventional building. This appears intended not to evoke an even remotely possible future, but rather a past imagination of that future, or a reembracing of the futuristic vision of googie architecture.

[edit] Books on retro-futurism

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Literary sci-fi punk genres
Cyberpunk — Postcyberpunk — Steampunk — Biopunk
Other themes
Retro-futurism — Cyberprep — Transrealism
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