What is Steampunk? Exploring the Multiverse

Steampunk Awareness stemmed from a single idea: to create awareness of a cultural phenomenon that had penetrated the foundation of the con world and that of our own group mentality. For what is it that makes people drawn to the wonder of the clockwork world? The rich aesthetic? Or is it an even further quality? Steampunk was an endeavour to rediscover that which was lost, a past rewritten as a future that never was.

"Steampunk" was first coined by K. W. Jeter, a science fiction writer in the 80's, who coined the term to describe the growing genre of literature that was growing in emulation of a modern Victorian world. The aesthetic was undeniably powerful: a world where technology prepared a dimension that highlighted a thriving world of resonating character and civilities. Eventually, steampunk took on newer roles by incorporating the post-apocalyptic genre through a revival of its "punk" culture. Today, steampunk's reach is almost limitless. Steampunk became a culture through this his

tory of shared interest by creating a mentality, values, and set of beliefs to mirror the world that each DIY agent would create.

Why are people drawn to steampunk though? To answer that is a simple exploration of human curiousity.

What is the mysterious?

"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed." -Albert Einstein

The mysterious is based in imagination, and imagination is the innovation that is required in a world where fantasy and community becomes merged. Steampunk is a social movement that describes a community that lives in a realm of historical fantasy and of rebellion against a mainstream identity. They exist in a counterpart claim with a new reality, where the multiverse dimensions that separate each steampunk world can gather and engage in a hobby, a passion, chivalry and companionship. The diversity of the steampunk world is immensely scattered, but the genre has created a passion that thrives with others and created a community.

Imagine a world, where the wheels of time remain ticking in the background of steam engines, corsets, monocles, leather, and brass. Imagine wiping the lens of your goggles as you stop for a brief moment of rest atop a pillar of the post-apocalypse. Imagine the laughter of the crew as you converse amongst one another, knowing no lonliness for a brief moment, where the expansive world still waited. Imagine the airship captain and her crew who stands at the ready as the ship moves with the wind, bracing for battle.

Dream. Belong. And imagine: because steampunk is where imagination becomes real.

Captain Vivienne Eeva Valentina

Airship Constantine

San Japan 4TW 2011: SCARS VS. the Order

Image provided by Crunchy Ramen Productions 2011

Where in the world are the new con pictures? Yes, indeed, Steampunk Awareness was in attendance, and highly active at that, during San Japan 4TW this year, held at the Marriot Rivercenter Hotel. This was a momentous time for steampunks as the first steampunk LARP (Live Action Role Play) was marked by the confrontation between SCARS (the South Central Armada of Renegade Steampunks) and the Order. Neutral grounds were announced prior to the con event, and the initial confrontation happened at noon on August 6th, 2011.

...The Order paraded in, flag in hand, as Faust stepped in lead smirking at the crowd of steampunk rebels, pirates, and patrons. A scream came and passed from a frightened steampunker, Amelia Ruth Thompson, who was then comforted

by the crowd after an initial run from the mass of darkness that was approaching. Captain Lazuli Delacru of the Neo Dulcimer stood his ground as Faust and Ilsa VonAuftrag, mistress of propoganda, approached. The Force of Icarus following closely behind as SCARS held its guns at the ready should even one member of the Order break the arranged neutrality agreement. "Traitor!" was shouted at the many who had joined the Order as a discouraged SCARS turned towards friends turned enemies, watching and waiting....

These two opposing factions were created from a simple idea, to gather the airships that had formed across the U.S. into one simple and all-inclusive community-based group. To LARP out the stories and work that these ships had created was a dream shared between two long-time steampunk veterans, David Lee Autunes (Lazuli Delacru of the Neo Dulcimer) and Michael Greyhawk Ford (Cedric Whittaker of the Airship Isabella.) These two captains set out on a new mission: to unite the growing steampunk community and create a new avenue to carve out their histories.

What is SCARS? The South Central Armada of Renegade Steampunks is formed out of the outlaws, the scoundrels,

pirates, and rebels who dot the steampunk spectrum. With different ideals, methods, airships, hobbies, and dimensions, they were brought together with ASI and the Neo Dulcimer across the multiverse plane to fight the destructive and all-powerful force of the Order. They fight for peace, creativity, democracy, and overall, the ability for the individual to decide their fate, their way.

The Order, as ASI described it, was bound to normalcy, structure, and heirarchy. To uphold the exclusionary right to priveledge, their fight for peace commits to a simple order of

non-negotiable terms, "we give you stability, but you give us your freedom." They will do everything in their power to feed their ambitious agenda, including converting those who oppose them with a mysterious device that SCARS has yet to decipher. They are necromancers by nature and have gained a cult-following of many unknown individuals, hidden behind black cloaks and masks, where they may enter amongst us with no detection. Their leader, Faust Horcrust with his minions, hold a power unlike many have seen in their dimension...a power many are willing to fight.

What is peace and what is courage? What is good...and evil? What is taking a stand for something you believe in? And what is an idea?

An idea is a powerful thing, but only if there is a belief that an idea is more than just a thought, but it is an inspiration, a paradigm: a new direction. An idea can inspire an action, and that is exactly what the steampunk community needed: a mission. SCARS and the Order signify the changing realm of steampunk, where we challenge our long-held beliefs and become something we never thought we would.

Whether you choose SCARS or you choose the Order, know one thing: this is the future of steampunk...and an idea is bringing about the beginning of a much larger movement. An idea is changing the world.

Captain Vivienne Eeva Valentina

Airship Constantine

Airship Constantine Mass Takeover!!!

Welcome one and all to the updated (finally) Steampunk Awareness blog! This is the Captain of the Airship Constantine, Vivienne Eeva Valentina, guest blogger (or full-time, who knows anymore?) and currently helping to manage the S.P.A. page. This page was born out of the interest of a group of friends, but friends have come and gone. However, the nuclei of the group remains: those that had first started this page are having their ambitions continued and renewed...today!

We are one of those groups formed out of the enclave of friendship. Airship Constantine travels in the post-apocalyptic future, where civil unrest and the growing power of the Sons of the Devil lay in the background of a decaying new world. Enlisting the help of the Inquisition, Constantine ventures out on a perilous mission, leading a resistance and the New World into an unwritten future with the background of a decaying past. This is the rebel ship of Constantine.

We are currently administrating over S.P.A and will be bringing you its full-on website in the future. Work is being done with various groups now within SCARS (the South Central Armada of Renegade Steampunk, led by Cedric Whittaker, captain of the Airship Isabella), SANVA (San Antonio Neo-Victorian Association), and the wonderful owner of Circles of Stone (a steampunk jewelry maker based in San Antonio with direct ties to both S.P.A and Airship Constantine.) We all look forward to bringing you the best experiences of the steampunk world and the community right to your computer and home. Keep watching, friends, we've got a whirlwind adventure and a steam-fueled movement to reveal!

-Captain Vivienne Eeva Valentina of Airship Constantine

Guns for the men.. And women

I had last discussed some helpful information on where to find goggles, and useful information to build from scratch. Today its time to get ready for a steam-powered dull. Wait! You don't have a weapon? Looks like you could use some help there partner. Don't worry, that's why this blog post is here! To inform you on helpful sites that can show you how to make your very own weaponry (props, of course), mod toy guns, and purchase some already fabricated items. What is the best option? Purchasing a toy gun; they are inexpensive, and with your imagination, you can make it look like something far out of this world.. Of course some of us need to get inspired. My favorite place to start is... You guessed it, Google. Do a generic search, in this case "Steampunk Guns", browse through some of the stuff you see, and get a basic feel of what steampunk weapons look like. Now, back to the toy guns. We need to select one! In my opinion the best manufacture is Hasbro; their guns already have a futuristic feel to them. The prices are great too! Purchase one anywhere between $5.00 to $50.00 dolors. Your next step would be to start your modification process.. Thankfully some kind people out on the web listed tutorials of their own doings.. Link; this guy only shows the maverick, but most of the steps apply to the other guns as well.. Also an added suggestion: When taking apart the toy take pictures of where everything goes! There for you'll have a good enough idea on how to close her up (or he, what ever you're into) if you still want it functional.

Online buys! In steampunk its really difficult to find suppliers, for anything really.. But thankfully there are the few. Will warn you in advanced, most of these sites have very expensive guns! For starters you can see what is floating around on eBay! You can find inexpensive items here, also expensive ones as well.. This next site has weaponry looking like it was pulled out of the 1800's! Dress like a Pirate, also has some steampunk wear. Etsy has some steampunk weapons as well, you'll just need to do a bit of looking around on there. 

Of course there are more places on the web, but I am having difficulty finding more... Maybe you can help? Yes! List some sites you know of with helpful information on how to make a steampunk gun, or some sites that we could grab a shopping cart, throw in the guns we want, and be on are way! So do let us and the community know, and till next time, have a wonderful night!

Steampunk Styles Part Three: Post Apocalyptic

Post-Apocalyptic World

"Apocalyptic fiction is a sub-genre of science fiction that is concerned with the end of civilization either through nuclear war, plague, or some other general disaster. Post-apocalyptic fiction is set in a world or civilization after such a disaster. The time frame may be immediately after the catastrophe, focusing on the travails or psychology of survivors, or considerably later, often including the theme that the existence of pre-catastrophe civilization has been forgotten (or mythologized). Post-apocalyptic stories often take place in an agrarian, non-technological future world, or a world where only scattered elements of technology remain. There is a considerable degree of blurring between this form of science fiction and that which deals with false utopias or dystrophic societies.

The genres gained in popularity after World War II, when the possibility of global annihilation by nuclear weapons entered the public consciousness. However, recognizable apocalyptic novels existed at least since the first quarter of the 19th century, when Mary Shelley's The Last Man was published. Additionally, the sub genres draw on a body of apocalyptic literature, tropes, and interpretations that are millenia old."

Personally I think one of the best possible examples of Post Apocalyptic is the Fallout game series, specifically the 3rd one. Seriously, if I was thinking of a steampunk post apocalyptic theme of fashion, I'd take it right out of the fallout games. Clothes at this time are mostly out of production, so you wear pretty much whatever you can find. In some cases you would have to take scraps and put them together to make a patchwork coat or pants. Same goes for weapons. Maybe you can't find ammunition, well you just mod your weapon to fire anything from nuts and bolts to teddy bears filled with rocks.

You will probably only own one outfit, so it can get rather dirty and worn out so plan for stains and rips. In some cases there might be radiation poisoning or pockets of hazardous material so gas masks are essential. Any technology that survived probably doesn't work, so take different items and put them together to make new ones.




_____________________________________

"They call you Lucifer's Angel!"

Steampunk Styles Part Two: Dieselpunk

Dieselpunk is "a genre of art and a budding sub-culture that enjoys the aesthetics of the 1920's - 1950's; a time when diesel technology was king. A time filled with pulp heroes, swing kids, super spies, and gum shoes beating the mean streets." In essence, dieselpunk has the same roots as steampunk, however it focuses its theme on an industrial aspect. Apart from steampunk, in which the main form of fuel and power is steam, dieselpunk states that diesel runs the world.

So what would one wear if one chose this style? Dieselpunk reaches more towards the Industrial working class of the late 1920's - 50's rather than the Victorian Nobility/Higher Class which is commonly used in Steampunk. There are no set guidelines to this style, same as the rest of the Steampunk world, making it a lot easier to do your own thing. But if you want to go off of something then try the pilot look. I'm thinking "Sky Captain and the world of tomorrow". Raincoats, Fedoras, zoot suits, they all work. For character work definitely look into the mind set of this time period. Keep in mind the red scare, space race, arms race, suburbia and the rise of nuclear power.

For examples of "dieselpunk" read the books "The War in the Air" and "War of the Worlds" both written by H.G. Wells. More examples would be the ever famous game "Bioshock". An anime that has been attributed to this style would be "Full Metal Alchemist". For dieselpunk influenced music, try listening to Rammstein who's main theme was inspired by the Post WW2/Cold War era. Or, of course, the music styling of Dr. Steel, who's very name screams dieselpunk.

For an interesting interview with the famed Dr. Steel, check out this Dieselpunk website:

http://www.dieselpunks.org/forum/topics/interview-doctor-steel

___________________________________________________________

"Superstition, Fear, and Jealousy"

S.P.A Group Hits 100th member!

We finally hit our 100th member! Its really pleasing to know that people out there want to learn more about the culture of Steampunk and the things that make it tic. Steampunk Awareness started off simply as an idea, but it is growing into something even more! An actual organization of people that want to know and of people that want to aware others. Sure we don't have many admins, but we are still growing. Today we adopted are newest admin, Starra-Neely Blade. Congratulations to you my dear! Moving on; Being a facebook group is simply the beginning. Later in the year we plan on expanding to the world wide web. That's correct, we'll make a website along with a forum containing even more content. Again, this is just another idea at the moment, but remember what this group was several months ago. We hope to continue growing as a group on facebook, and hope you all stick with us and see us grow into something more. Before I go, do leave comments and your opinions of what you would like to see in the future from this group.

~ Jon