Retrospective-Futurism: Noun. Abbrev. RSF or retro-futurism. Use as an adjective: Retrospective-Futurist/retro-futurist.
Retrospective-Futurism is a term used to describe an ethos or theme in which art is created with inspiration from historical work or aesthetics whilst also subverting these with modern ideas and/or design. Steampunk is arguably the most well-known form of Retrospective-Futurism. Other manifestations of retrospective futurism include dieselpunk, atompunk and similar genres.
Terms such as steampunk are often used to describe both art and design, as well as being applied retrospectively to works. Retrospective-Futurism is term which only applies to work which [has] the artistic intent of subverting or fictionally re-telling history (also known as alternate history)/historical ideas and/or aesthetics. As such, to apply the word 'Retrospective-Futurism' to works which draw on the aesthetics of these genres, but not the ideological ideas behind them, would be incorrect usage. For example, the video to Justin Beiber's 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' has no link to steampunk ideologies but uses steampunk styles as a tool used for commercial purposes.
Retrospective-Futurism in itself does not concern any particular era, location or aesthetic, although individual Retrospective-Futurist pieces/body of works/artists may concentrate on these specifics.