Main Project Aesthetic – Retro Futurism

After much thought and back and forth I decided to change my main project aesthetic to retro futurism. The reason I decided to change my aesthetic is because I changed what I want to do as my main project. Initially I was going to make my own neon sign but after mulling it over I decided I am going to make a retro style vinyl lamp instead.

“Retro” originated from the french word rétrograde meaning something that is moving backwards in time. The vinyls in the lamp reflect the past and work perfectly within this aesthetic. Retro is a broad aesthetic so when I think to narrow it down to something more specific retro futurism comes to mind. Retrofuturism has visual elements similar to vintage and older artwork and photos while incorporating future elements.

Vinyls and color pop is a stable in retro futurism so I think my project will fit this aesthetic nicely. I wanted to make something that would fit in my apartment and that I can use long after this class is over. My apartment has a lot of bright overhead lighting so I have been meaning to add less intense light sources since I’ve moved in. A tableside lamp will fit perfectly on my living room couch side table so I’m excited to see how this project turns out.

The opposite of retro futurism is interesting to think about. Since retro futurism is the speculation of the future from the past the opposite would be someone in the future reflecting on the past. Something that comes to mind would be a fallout aesthetic. In a hypothetical future where nuclear war occurred and everything is destroyed. The result is generally that you have the remnants of humanity fighting to survive in a devastated landscape reflecting on the technology that was once more available and advanced but is now long gone due to the destruction of war. My vinyl lamp would be more of an oil lamp in this opposite aesthetic. 

Another possible aesthetic would be synth or cyberpunk. This would be a lamp that does not incorporate any elements of past technology. When I think what my lamp would look like in this aesthetic I think of something like a glowstick or a uranium rod. Neon and futuristic like a lava lamp but without the wax.

Moving forward I have started to design a lamp base and ordered a bulb I will be using for this project. I already have a stack of vinyl single records and I will be going out and buying some small black threaded rods and other parts I will be needing to complete this project. I am thinking of incorporating a color changing bulb and painting the base of the lamp. I am open to suggestions on how to elevate the project even more as well.

Image Sources:

1.https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/5f9f625ebb288273ba51c6ec/1666231806525-MZ9FLIFJOATSNNKPDEP7/unnamed-2-2.jpg?content-type=image%2Fjpeg

2.https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Ftnjm26ugc3y51.jpg

3.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUFwjHNuaRA

4.https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/41IAAOSwHABhbkYh/s-l1200.jpg

5.https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-tumf4kk1l4/images/stencil/1280×1280/products/3317/6074/cyalume-12-hour-green-lightstick-26__18730.1640715367.jpg?c=1?imbypass=on