Retrofuturism

Definition

• Retrofuturism: A movement in creative arts showing influence from past depictions of the future.
• Combines old-fashioned retro styles with futuristic technology.
• Explores themes of tension between past and future, and the effects of technology.

Origin and Etymology

• The term combines "retro" (meaning backward) with "future".
• First used in a 1983 Bloomingdales advertisement for jewelry with a "retro-futuristic look".

Characteristics

• Modern but changing notions of "the future".
• Emerged as a skeptical reaction to futuristic promises during rapid technological change in the 1970s.
• Questions the benefits of applied science and technological progress.

Trends in Retrofuturism

• The Future as Seen from the Past: Inspired by past visions of the future, offering a nostalgic counterfactual image.
• The Past as Seen from the Future: Combines retro appeal with modern technologies (e.g., Steampunk).

Genres

• Cyberpunk: Dystopian future with emphasis on hacking and post-apocalyptic settings.
• Steampunk: Alternative history with steam-powered technologies, optimistic outlook.
• Dieselpunk: Alternate era style circa 1920s–1950s, influenced by Art Deco.
• Raygun Gothic: Visual style incorporating aspects of Googie, Streamline Moderne, and Art Deco.

Cultural Impact

• Incorporates both optimistic and pessimistic viewpoints on technological advancement.
• Provides a nostalgic contrast to dissatisfaction with the present.
• Suggests alternative paths and forgotten ideals.

Architecture and Design

• Appears in postmodern architecture as an aesthetic feedback loop, recalling past futuristic visions like Googie architecture.
• Examples include theme buildings and futuristic designs resembling spaceships.

Fashion

• Envisions futuristic clothing, often as skin-tight or one-piece garments, drawing from retro stereotypes.

Influence in Media

• Films like "The Incredibles" and "Tomorrowland" embody retrofuturistic aesthetics.
• Literary and artistic works often draw from early science fiction and futurist ideas.

Criticism

• Seen by some as "faux nostalgia" or a "lost belief in progress".
• Despite varied time periods and visions, a common thread is a longing for alternative futures.