Steampunk culture: In the footsteps of time travelers
This time the vortex was not in a garage converted into a civic center but in an old factory from the beginning of the 20th century converted into a space for meeting and artistic creation.
Quite a declaration of intentions before a phenomenon like Steampunk closely linked to industrialization, pulleys and steam.
For this reason, the space was ideal to show off the best clothes of the Eurosteamcon in Barcelona two years after its last edition, paralyzed by the covid pandemic, and celebrating its tenth anniversary.
It all started with a picnic in Ciutadella Park, recalls Vany Miranda, president of the Nautilus Retrofuturist Association, organizer of the event.
A decade ago, some 15 people, pioneers of steampunk in Barcelona, decided to meet for a snack in their own dystopia and were so successful, as confirmed by social networks and their groups of friends, that they decided to set up another picnic.
"Our intention was to repeat the meeting but those days were predicting heavy rains and I had to go to a place in the Estación de Francia to be allowed to be there," explains Vany.
It was once again a success as the number of people went from 15 to 300 and travelers attended not only from outside Catalonia but also from the other side of the Atlantic.
When they saw the interest, not only from followers but also from artisans who wanted to bet on steampunk, that's when the fairs began.
a prodigious decade
This year's, the tenth edition, is being held this weekend at the Nau Bostik.
Sanitary restrictions prevented the previous two, 2020 and 2021, so there was a great desire for retrofuturism.
"I hadn't seen them for three years when before I had gotten used to seeing them every year," explained one of the attendees while walking through one of the enabled rooms in which some 30 steampunk-themed craftsmen, merchants and writers have been located.
The organizers estimate that they will exceed the record of attendees of other occasions that reached 3,000 people.
At the fair you can find from masks, hats and other accessories of this aesthetic, clothing, games, maps, drawings, books, jewelry, figures of all kinds, books or comics.
"Specialized artisans have come from all over Spain and we wanted to promote the variety," says Vany.
This retro-futuristic diversity can be found at the Uchronic Time stop, a benchmark in the sector.
One of its managers, María Ángeles Guisado 'Alassie', narrates that "after two unemployed years there was a great desire to meet" and highlights that the "industrial" air of the Nau Bostik "fits" with the steampunk theme.
This desire to wear suits and to bring out the 'retrofuturist' that we should all carry inside to be able to evoke other futures floats in the environment.
For this, not only is the wardrobe or makeup important, but so is the haircut and that is why Facundo, the first barber in the sector with his 'Mr.
Braz Steampunk barbershop', who during the first day trimmed head hair and beard.
A photogenic fair
The organizers have invited several 'influencers' from the sector this year to participate in the experience of creating their steampunk character with clothes and makeup.
They are one of the most demanded for photographs and the fact is that the fair not only attracts admirers of this literary genre that has become a socio-cultural movement, but also image professionals who are capturing the most impressive steampunk characters.
All of them have the opportunity to win a prize in a costume contest, for adults and children, in which the winners get "a 'Víctor' that is like our 'Oscar,'" says Vany.
Retrofuturists are restless people and that is why they do not stop doing activities, some created for this fair such as the first contraption race with obstacles, named after Dani, one of its creators, who passed away a few months ago.
There is also a steampunk book market to promote the reading of this fantastic genre where authors can present their works and answer questions from the public.
One of the participants will be Alma Mínguez, author of the novel 'Between Worlds', and who tells us that the second part will go on sale in November.
In addition, "Barcelona Steampunk 1880-1910" will be known, an anthology of stories inspired by iconic places in the city and specially written for the fair
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Francesc Grimalt, who came from Mallorca for the fair, also presented his graphic novel 'El Caballero del Ocaso' (Yermo editions), which narrates the investigation of a conspiracy that puts an empire at risk.
A story dotted with numerous literary and cinematographic influences whose author explains that he did during the days "that seemed pre-apocalyptic" of the pandemic.
And it is that even steampunk can be inspired by reality.
Grimalt, author of some of the posters for the Eurosteamcon in Barcelona, also offers an automaton drawing workshop.
But steampunk is not only a display of characters and designs, it also has a playful component.
For the little ones, with make-up or puppet creation as it is a very familiar environment, and for adults, with board games or a live cluedo with flesh and blood characters.
Traditional tea duels or dance exhibitions are also held, as well as talks on gastronomy or customs of women's clothing from the Victorian era, as well as tours of 'Dark Barcelona'.
It is clear that the guardians of retrofuturism have returned.
They needed to find that corner again to show the opportunities offered by time travel and the ability to create an alternative to reality.
A passionate way of living, between keys, steam and pulleys, which is contagious for all who dare to discover it.
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Articles German Gonzalez