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

This article focuses entirely on the first definition.

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.

Notable Filmic Precursors

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

Retro-futuristic Films/Television

Notable Literary Precursors

Retro-Futuristic Literature

Retro-Futuristic Video and Computer Games

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.

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

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.

Books on retro-futurism

  • Astrofuturism: Science, Race, and Visions of Utopia in Space ISBN 0812218477
  • Future Perfect ISBN 3822815667
  • Out of Time: Designs for the Twentieth Century Future ISBN 0810929392
  • Yesterday's Tomorrows: Past Visions of the American Future ISBN 0801853990
  • The History of the Future: Images of the 21st Century ISBN 2080135449
  • Futuropolis: Impossible Cities of Science Fiction and Fantasy ISBN 0903767228

See also

External links

Science fiction themes | Architectural styles

レトロフューチャー

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Retro-futurism".

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