AfroFuturism Transdisciplinary Seminar
PSAM 6700 CRN 6822
December 6th, 6pm-8:40pm
Tuesday evenings from 6 - 8:40pm
LOCATION:
Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Auditorium, Sheila C. Johnson Design Center, 66 Fifth Avenue
ADMISSION:
Free; no tickets or reservations required; seating is first-come first-served
The Transdisciplinary Seminar in Fine Arts was implemented in 2009 to explore intersections of art and other forms of creativity and knowledge, from the natural sciences to social theory and various areas of design.
The Transdisciplinary Seminar on Afro-Futurism will consider how representations of science, technology and social engineering intersect with African diasporic cultural expressions. Science fiction will be the organizing trope that unites 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, architecture, film and music. The expediency of science fiction as both a fractured mirror of historical experience and a heterotopic projection of the collective desires of a displaced people will be discussed throughout the semester. Guest lecturers will present lectures that relate to the fields that are central to their research: painting, electronic music, film, video installation, and built environments.
Guest presentations will be interspersed with seminar-style discussions. Students will be expected to complete weekly reading assignments and write brief thought-papers in response to lectures. They will also be required to prepare questions in advance of guest lectures.
Guest Lecturers
1. Alondra Nelson, Associate Professor, Sociology, Columbia. U, editor of Social Text Issue on Afro-Futurism
2. Kodwo Eshun, Artist and Cultural Theorist, co-founder of The Otolith Group, Lecturer at Goldsmiths College
3. Mabel Wilson, Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Columbia U.
5. Julie Mehretu, Visual Artist
6. George Lewis, Composer and Cultural Theorist, Associate Professor, Columbia U.
7. Wanuri Kahiu, Filmmaker, Director of the award winning science fiction short, Pumi (in dialogue with NSGS Professor Sean Jacobs)
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