Transdisciplinary Seminar on Afrofuturism Lecture Series at Parsons, School of AMT
The Transdisciplinary Seminar on Afrofuturism will explore how representations of science, technology and social engineering intersect with visual cultural expressions of the African diaspora. Science fiction is the organizing trope that will unite all the guest presentations and works under consideration. Visiting artists and cultural theorists will lecture on the role of futuristic projection in African diasporic art, liteature, film and music. The expediency of science fiction as both a fractured mirror of historical experience and a projection of the collective desires of a displaced people will be discussed throughout the semester.
Transdisciplinary Seminar on Afrofuturism Lecture Series at Parsons, School of AMTThe Transdisciplinary Seminar on Afrofuturism features seven public lectures by guest artists and cultural theorists in the fall of 2011. These lectures are open to the public and will take place on Tuesdays at 6pm at the Kellen Auditorium at Parsons, The New School for Design, 66 Fifth Ave, New York, NY. The public lectures that are part of this seminar are produced with support from The Robert Lehman Foundation.
September 20: Alondra Nelson
Location: Kellen Auditorium, Lobby 66 5th Avenue
October 4: Julie Mehretu
Location: Kellen Auditorium, Lobby 66 5th Avenue
October 11: George Lewis
Location: Kellen Auditorium, Lobby 66 5th Avenue
October 25: Kodwo Eshun
Location: Kellen Auditorium, Lobby 66 5th Avenue
November 15: Keith and Mendi Obadike
Location: Kellen Auditorium, Lobby 66 5th Avenue
November 29: Nalo Hopkinson
Location: Kellen Auditorium, Lobby 66 5th Avenue
December 6: Wanuri Kahui
Location: Kellen Auditorium, Lobby 66 5th Avenue
I just watched the most amazing short films. Wake a short film directed by Bree Newsome. And Pumzi directed by Wanuri Kahui. I had heard of Pumzi. Had not heard of Wake. But you need to get into Black science fiction. And Black horror stories. Quite frankly, those are my two favorite genre’s of movies when done correctly. Horror in Hollywood has gotten so lazy. And so fucking predictable! And it’s sad that we all know that Black folk never make it to the end. And in science fiction, people act like its preposterous to imagine a world where a story is centered around Black folk. I fully support the movement to make that shit a normality rather than a formality. I want to see an all Black cast in with a damn good script of a horror film. I want to see an all Black cast showcasing a science fiction flick. And not just your random Will Smith moments. And he’s good. Don’t get me wrong. I stan for Will, and he’s worked very hard (read: SMART) to get to where he is right now. I loves me some him. But I want to see more. I want sci fi films directed, and written by Black folk.
Oh and there’s a web pilot I just watched too called The Abandon. Look. GET INTO THIS SHIT OK.
Pumzi
Pumzi. Wanuri Kahui. Check out this young Kenyan film maker’s short sci-fi film. It’s currently available on Netflix under Africa First: Volume One. Definitely check it out. Kahui infuses realistic/sustainable environmental concern with a futuristic/sci-fi take, all while being centered on the idea of an African authoritarian government. Truly remarkable! For more on Kahui check out her blog and her presentation for TedX
What Is Afrofuturism? Part 13: Wanuri Kahui
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvxOLVaV2YY&w=645&h=393]
Pumzi director, Wanuri Kahui gives a TEDxNairobi lecture about Afrofuturism from different African perspectives.
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