Our collective has been researching African architectural aesthetics for a documentary series and we're split between the filmmakers who want to focus on ancient structures like Great Zimbabwe and Lalibela, and the anthropologists who insist we center contemporary urban innovations in Lagos, Dakar, and Cape Town. We all believe in decolonizing African aesthetics but we can't agree on whether that means reclaiming historical narratives or amplifying present-day creativity.
More people experience this than they realize.
The question of whether decolonization requires looking backward or forward is fracturing a creative team's shared vision.
“Where Are You with African aesthetics — across the continent?”
If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.