Beyond Aesthetics - Use, Abuse, and Dissonance in African Art Traditions

"The playwright, poet, essayist, activist, and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka is also a longtime art collector. In this book of essays, he offers a glimpse into the motivations of the collector, as well as a highly personal look at the politics of aesthetics and collecting. Detailing moments of first encounter with objects that drew him in and continue to affect him, Soyinka describes a world of mortals, muses, and deities that imbue the artworks with history and meaning. Beyond Aesthetics is a passionate discussion of the role of identity, tradition, and originality in making, collecting, and exhibiting African art today. Soyinka considers objects that have stirred controversy, and he decries dogmatic efforts-whether colonial or religious-to suppress Africa's artistic traditions. By turns poetic, provocative, and humorous, Soyinka affirms the power of collecting to reclaim tradition. He urges African artists, filmmakers, collectors, and curators to engage with their aesthetic and cultural histories"--

About the author

Wole Soyinka is a Nigerian playwright, poet, and political activist. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. His many publications include You Must Set Forth at Dawn and Of Africa.

Summary

An intimate reflection on culture and tradition, creativity and power, that draws on a lifetime's commitment to aesthetic encounter

Product details

• Authors: Wole Soyinka, Soyinka Wole
• Publisher: Yale University Press Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.11.2019
• EAN: 9780300247626
• ISBN: 978-0-300-24762-6
• No. of pages: 160
• Series: Richard D. Cohen Lectures on African & African American Art; Richard D. Cohen Lectures on A; Richard D. Cohen Lectures on A; Richard Cohen Lectures
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Art > General, dictionaries; USA, Ethnic Studies, The arts: general issues, HISTORY / Africa / General, Africa, ART / History / General, ART / African, History of art / art & design styles, History of Art, United States of America, USA, African History, Black & Asian Studies, ART / American / African American & Black, The arts: general topics, Relating to African American / Black American people, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Cultural & Ethnic Studies / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Cultural & Ethnic Studies / African Studies