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In the Black Fantastic

Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In the Black Fantastic by Ekow Eshun is an exploration of the ways in which artists from the African diaspora reimagine realities through the lens of mythology, science fiction, and Afrofuturism. This intriguing journey into science and nature delves into how these creators use fantasy to envision alternate futures and realities, blending past, present, and future narratives to challenge Western conventions and offer unique artistic expressions.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're intrigued by imaginative narratives that intertwine speculative fiction with themes of race and culture, this book might captivate you. It explores how Black artists and writers use elements of fantasy to reshape and challenge perceptions, blending the boundary between reality and the fantastical. Science and nature elements are woven in to create a rich tapestry that invites thoughtful reflection and inspiration.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Published to coincide with an exhibition at the Hayward Gallery, London, this is an expressive exploration of Black popular culture at its most wildly imaginative, artistically ambitious and politically urgent.

In the Black Fantastic assembles art and imagery from across the African diaspora that embraces ideas of the mythic and the speculative. Neither Afrofuturism nor Magic Realism, but inhabiting its own universe, In the Black Fantastic brings to life a cultural movement that conjures otherworldly visions out of the everyday Black experienceβ€”and beyondβ€”looking at how speculative fictions in Black art and culture are boldly reimagining perspectives on race, gender, identity and the body in the 21st century.

Transcending time, space and genre to span art, design, fashion, architecture, film, literature, and popular culture from African myth to future fantasies and beyond, this vital, timely and compelling publication is an expressive exploration of Black popular culture at its most wildly imaginative, artistically ambitious and politically urgent.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

In the Black Fantastic by Ekow Eshun explores the interplay between fantasy and the Black experience, receiving positive reviews for its insightful analysis and striking visuals. Critics appreciate its interdisciplinary approach, blending art, culture, and history, and they praise its ability to challenge conventional narratives on race through a captivating and thought-provoking compilation of essays and artwork.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780500024621

Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 09 June 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Thames & Hudson Ltd

Illustration: 300 Illustrations, color

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 195.0mm

Height: 250.0mm

Weight: 1310g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Ekow Eshun is a writer, curator and journalist based in London, and former director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts. His previous books include Black Gold of the Sun and Africa State of Mind, the latter published by Thames & Hudson in 2020. Michelle D. Commander is the associate director of New York's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. She is the author of Afro-Atlantic Flight: Speculative Returns and the Black Fantastic (2017). Kameelah L. Martin is the director of the African American Studies Program and professor of African American Studies and English at the College of Charleston, North Carolina.

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