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African Modernism and Its Afterlives

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African Modernism and Its Afterlives explores the legacy of colonial and postcolonial African architecture through a collection of essays and image-driven studies. Drawing on ethnography, archival research, and observation, it traces the origins, evolution, and present-day use and decay of modernist structures across different African countries. The volume reflects on the historical processes and contemporary significance of these buildings, moving beyond mere heritage preservation or ruin contemplation.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$6899
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Ideal for readers interested in African history, architectural history, anthropology, and postcolonial studies, as well as professionals and students in arts and culture disciplines.

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Brings together research by Africanist anthropologists and architectural historians who share in the pursuit of an archaeology of modernist architecture in Africa. Case studies connect the colonial and postcolonial origins of modernist architecture, the historical processes, and present use and habitation. 132 b/w and 35 col. photographs.

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

The legacy of colonial and postcolonial African architecture.

This edited collection of essays and image-driven pieces by anthropologists, archaeologists, architects, and historians examines the legacies of African architecture from around the time of independence through examples from different countries. Drawing on ethnography, archival research, and careful observation of buildings, remains, and people, the case studies seek to connect the colonial and postcolonial origins of modernist architecture, the historical processes they underwent, and their present use and habitation, adaptation, and decay.

Deriving from a workshop in connection with the 2015 exhibition “Forms of Freedom” at the National Museum in Oslo and the Venice Biennale, the volume combines recent developments in architectural history, the anthropology of modernism and of material culture, and contemporary archaeology to move beyond the admiration or preservation of prized architectural heritage. It aims to complicate the contemplation—or critique—of ruins and ruination.

African Modernism and Its Afterlives offers a comprehensive exploration of these themes, providing a deeper understanding of the complex legacy of modernist architecture in Africa.

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?

"Tracing concrete connections between architecture and anthropology," this volume offers clear-eyed insight into 20th-century architectural efforts to transform African social life, revealing enduring structures and their artefacts. Praised by Peter Redfield of the University of Southern California as an engaging and trenchant guide, it deepens understanding of modernism's impact.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781789384031

Publisher: Intellect

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 20 September 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Intellect Books

Illustration: 35 Halftones, color; 132 Halftones, black and white

Contributors:

  • Edited by Nina Berre
  • Edited by Paul Wenzel Geissler
  • Edited by Johan Lagae

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 170.0mm

Height: 244.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 356

About the Author

Paul Wenzel Geissler teaches social anthropology at the University of Oslo. With Lachenal, Manton, Tousignant and other scholars and artists he published Traces of the Future (2016). With Ruth Prince, he is currently studying remains and afterlives of epidemics in East Africa, revisiting their book on AIDS in Kenya, The Land Is Dying (2010).

Nina Berre is an architect and architectural historian, and Professor and Head of Institute of Form, theory and history at the Oslo School of Architecture and design. She was director of Architecture at the National Museum of Art, Architecture and design in Norway from 2010 to 2018.

Johan Lagae is Full Professor in 20th Century Architectural History at Ghent University. His research focuses on colonial and postcolonial architecture and urbanisation in Central-Africa.

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