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Retro-Futurism is a movement in the creative arts showing the influence of depictions of the future produced in an earlier era. If futurism is sometimes called a "science" bent on anticipating[1] what will come, retrofuturism is the remembering of that anticipation. Characterized by a blend of old-fashioned "retro styles" with futuristic technology, retrofuturism explores the themes of tension between past and future, and between the alienating and empowering effects of technology.

Retro-Futurism is also a pretty broad term that can refer to any futuristic aesthetic that no longer aligns with the current general expectatives of the future by society. Therefore, Retro-Futurism is separated into several genres by the era of technology they were based on. The primary ones are Steampunk, Dieselpunk, Atompunk, Raygun Gothic and Cyberpunk, and possibly even Y2K Futurism.

Visuals[]

Retrofuturism has visual elements similar to vintage - older artwork and photos that tried to predict the future. Themes of space, robots, and minimalism are common themes of this aesthetic. Retrofuturism is the product of artists attempting to visualize the future with the viewpoint of a non-futuristic century.

  • Space (specifically planets and moons)
  • Robots, androids, and cyborgs
  • Futuristic old technology (ex. shiny and glowy telephone operators)
  • Flying consumer-grade vehicles (cars, skateboards, bikes, etc.)
  • Spaceships
  • Weapons that utilize light/lasers (ray guns, laser guns, lightsabers)
  • Almost surrealist architecture (see Surrealism)

Fashion[]

Retrofuturistic fashion includes simplistic clothing that incorporates futuristic technology/inventions.

  • Monocolour/bicolor clothing
  • Geometric clothing (see Avant-garde)
  • Holographic designs (see Holosexual)
  • Shiny clothing (by latex, tinfoil, etc. - Shiny Suit 97)
  • Clunky, robotic clothing
  • Glowing accessories (see Glowwave)
  • LED/technologic visors
  • Astronaut suits

Media[]

Video Games[]

  • The Desolate Hope (2012)

Movies[]

  • Back to the Future Part II (1989)
  • The Star Trek series (1979-present)
  • Metropolis (2001)
  • The Incredibles (2004)
  • Robots (2005)
  • Meet the Robinsons (2007)
  • Forbidden Planet (1956)
  • Incredibles 2 (2018)
  • Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
  • Alien (1979)

TV Shows[]

  • Guest from the Future (Гостья из будущего) (1985)
  • Babylon 5 (1994-1998)
  • Doctor Who (1963-present)
  • The Jetsons (1962-1987)
  • Star Trek (1966-1969)
  • Astro Boy (1980-2003)
  • Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)
  • Superman: The Animated Series (1996-2000)
  • Futurama (1999-present)
  • The Fairly OddParents (2001-2017)
  • The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001-2006)
  • My Life as a Teenage Robot (2002-2006)
  • Robot and Monster (2012-2015)
  • Ready Jet Go! (2016-2019)
  • Loki (2021-present)
  • Hello Tomorrow! (2023-present)
  • Fallout (2024)

Theme Parks[]

  • Tomorrowland - Disneyland (1955-present)
  • Port Discovery - Tokyo Disneysea (2001-present)
  • Epcot Center - Walt Disney World Resort (1982-present)

Music[]

Artists[]

Resources[]

External links to help get a better understanding of this aesthetic.

Playlists[]

Pinterest Boards[]

Gallery[]

  1. Vaporwave, and Hauntology (1) can also explore this, in the way we used to expect future (e.g. - GVC) as kids, and its contrast to now, the present day. (Cyberpunks of yesterdays and now, "boring dystopia" people unanimously accept. (2)) Too, e.g. neoliberalism-Reaganism hopes, and reality. (/1) Narratives and shifts (/3) in words' meaning. (/2 - Such example is "Before-after glucose syrup" image macro, (3) poking sad-fun on "b.d."s, neolib.-reganism's.)
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