Oceanpunk was a science fiction genre in the 90s built around the technology association with exploring, colonizing, or traversing the sea with biological sciences regarding Humanity's relationship to the sea and how study of marine life may improve medical science. Films such as Deep Blue Sea, Waterworld, and the OAV 'Blue Submarine No.9' are examples of this genre with the 'punk' aspect coming from apocalyptic, corporate greed, and disaster situations highlighting the dangers of the ocean and often expressing an anti-corporate and anti-consumerist mentality. Some works taking a 'we must evolve' with Biopunk aspects of modifying humanity to adapt to life in the sea; typically as away to survive rising water levels.
Origin[]
Oceanpunk started in the United States of America having roots in Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, films like The Atomic Submarine (1959) and the animated TV show Sealab 2020 (1972). The launching of the USS Nautilious (the world's first Nuclear Power Submarine), and the activities of Jacques Yves Cousteau built a public interest in marine studies and technology. Like much of 90s science fiction Oceanpunk was drawn into the apocalyptic themes of Mad Max and the general trend of Dystopian works found in that decade- giving it the 'punk' as opposed to 'Pep' vibe.
Failed Subculture[]
Oceanpunk began to evolve into a subculture in the late 90s with Blue Submarine No. 9 being seen as the 'peak' expression of the aesthetics, music, and themes explored by Oceanpunk. The failure of Oceanpunk has primarily been attributed to a drowsiness experienced by it's audience.
Oceanpunk Music[]
The Music of Oceanpunk was generally atmospheric with elements of Jazz, designed to invoke the calmness of the sea and in some cases a sensation of being immersed in the music- drifting in it. The music wasn't designed for dancing so much as relaxation.
Branching Movements[]
The Oceanpunk community had a splinter called 'Piratepunk' which focused on islands, boats, crime on the high seas, adventure, and rarely explored scientific themes but rather social themes though it's characters. Priatepunk has survived Oceanpunk. Seapunk, which emerged in 2011 on Tumbler is a deemed successor to Oceanpunk and a successful Subculture. It focuses on florescent influences, beach music origins, and while carrying the punk elements does so in a very colorful as opposed to bland setting- typically seeing hair dyed and curves utilized in structures and vehicles. Sub-Nautica is a video game of the Seapunk Genre where the mystery and awe of a new world is used to obscure the darkness beneath.