Victorian Views of the Monstrous in Steampunk

On our site visit to Camden Market, I was surprised to see such a public area have such a visible connection to a niche art and literary subgenre. In Camden Market, you can find elements of steampunk everywhere. From the traditional steampunk goggles being sold in local stands to passersby dressing up and participating in the punk and steampunk community, steampunk is an integral part of the market. Personally, I think steampunk is a really fascinating concept because steampunk literature created a sort of post-apocalyptic world that is rooted in equal parts Victorian culture and science fiction. The Industrial Revolution molded the steampunk culture by mixing industrial machinery with Victorian fashion, culture, and scenery.

In the photo above, you can see the elements of steampunk, Victorian culture, as well as their perception of the monstrous are all visible in the octopus statue. The classic steampunk goggles can be seen on the octopus’ eyes, and the sculpture itself seems to be made out of copper and steel, both of which are integral materials used during the Industrial Revolution. The sculptor’s choice of making the subject of the sculpture the octopus was an interesting choice because it nods to Victorian views about the monstrous and its prevalence in our own humanity. Putting a human accessory, goggles, on a monster draws the conclusion to the viewer that steampunk is not only drawn from Victorian culture, but it has similar views as the Victorians did about how the monstrous are living among us.