Flow of forms - forms of flow

More about the book

As a teenager, I pondered why sci-fi landscapes were predominantly Western or Asian. I realized our legacy was trapped in the past, preventing us from being seen as "futuristic" by Europeans. We must revisit our traditions, embrace their best aspects, and shape a future that acknowledges our global identity. The future, for me, involves engaging not only with our past but also with the world at large. How can we accurately capture the histories of design across Africa's fifty-four countries without falling into the trap of an oversimplified narrative? How do we navigate the complex, often uneven histories of design exchanges between Africa and Europe? This book shifts the perspective by emphasizing the mobility of people, objects, and ideas, exploring the interconnected flows between Africa and Europe, as well as South-South interactions. It highlights the necessity of recognizing multiple, fragmented design histories. Contributors present diverse design case studies, examining them from historical viewpoints while also considering contemporary relevance and future possibilities.