Summary
In his “African-world-to-come”, political theorist Achille Mbembe anticipates an ‘Afropolitan future’. American author Taiye Selasi, an influential contributor to the reworlding of cosmopolitan discourse, wrote that Afropolitans are “not citizens, but Africans of the world”. What does this way of thinking – this imaginary of urbanity; this alternative intellectual prospectus – imply for a new generation of artists and imagineers, of city-makers, world-builders, designers, digitisers and creatives whose diversity reflects the dynamics of ‘belonging on the move’?
The London Afropolitan project continues, diversifies and expands upon Afropolitan Architecture: a series of dialogues with Mokena Makeka (Co-I) chaired by Matthew Barac (PI), that opened at the Venice Biennale 2023. Structured around four events convened at the Africa Centre, London, the project sets out to sets out to investigate, define, and express aspects of this imaginary to the extent that places may stake a claim on its character, in relation to the fields of architecture, art and design.
Event 1: Architecture
“London Afropolitan”
A panel discussion addressing questions concerning the making, practice, and interpretation of architecture, convened at the Africa Centre, London, on 19 September 2023.
Speakers: Muyiwa Oki (RIBA President, London), Meneesha Kellay (Curator at V&A, London) and Nana Biamah-Ofosu (Director of YAA Projects, tutor at the Architectural Association and Kingston School of Art), in conversation with Mokena Makeka (Special Adviser at the Cooper Union for Advancement of Science and Art , New York) chaired by Matthew Barac, with welcome remarks by Oba Nsugbe KC (Africa Centre, Chair of the Board of Trustees).
Event 2: Art
“Mapping Afropolitan Imaginaries 1”
An open, half-day stakeholder workshop with a focus on participatory methods in the creative arts, convened at the Africa Centre, London, on 15 March 2024.
Convened by Mavernie Cunningham (Academic and Artist), with guest speakers: DJ Pioneer (Music Producer), Lakruwan Rajapashka (Photographer), and Ricardo Eversely (Graphic Designer), chaired by Harriet McKay, and with an introduction by Matthew Barac.
Event 3: Art
“Mapping Afropolitan Imaginaries 2”
An invited, all-day workshop with a focus on participatory and interactive art-led methods of collaborative creativity, convened at the Africa Centre, London, on 12 April 2024.
Convened by Mavernie Cunningham, with guest speakers: Chike Azuonye (Artist), Kadija George (Writer), Renee Odjidja (Curator), Péjú Oshin (Curator), Renua Isueli (Design Manager and Architect), and Myles Igwebuike (Multidisciplinary Designer), chaired by Matthew Barac.
Event 4: Design
“Fashioning the Afropolitan Future: Laduma Ngxokolo in Conversation”
A three-part, interactive event structured around our special guest, fashion designer Laduma MaXhosa, CEO and founder of the luxury brand MaXhosa Africa, convened at the Africa Centre, London, on 30 May 2024.
Convened by Harriet McKay (Academic and Design Historian), with keynote speaker Laduma Ngxokolo (MaXhosa Africa) and guest speakers: Foday Dumbuya (LABRUM London), Caroline Kamana (Liliesleaf Trust), and Chrissa Amuah (AMWA Designs), chaired by Matthew Barac, with closing remarks by Olu Alake (CEO of the Africa Centre). With thanks to our refreshments sponsor Kromanti Rum.
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