ACASA 2017 PANEL SEEKING PAPERS: CFP DESIGN HISTORIES / PRACTICES IN AFRICA AND BEYOND [5] Call for Papers Date: January 31, 2017 Location: Accra, Ghana KERSTIN PINTHER (LUDWIG MAXIMILIANS UNIVERSITY MUNICH) & BARBARA PLANKENSTEINER (YALE UNIVERSITY) DESIGN HISTORIES / PRACTICES IN AFRICA AND BEYOND Design Histories and practices in Africa and its Diaspora are a hitherto neglected field of research within African art history. This is surprising given the currently blooming, broadening and diversified scenes of fashion, textile and product design in African cities - a development that seems to be closely connected to the (temporary) (re-)migrations of designers and architects. Being inspired by older ‚traditions‘ and also by forms and techniques of everyday Gestaltung, extremely prolific and innovative circles have thus emerged through the exchange with designers and artists working on the continent. Our aim is incite research and gain insight in this new field of research. We ask for contributions which examine design histories and practices in Africa and its Diaspora under various angels: Presentations could tackle the interwoven and contested histories between objects from Africa and the search for new forms in the context of the mainly British Arts and Crafts Movement, the French Art Deco or the German Werkbund. Papers shedding light on the importance of design and design practices during the independence era (Forms of Freedom) are equally welcomed as well as discussions on the role of technology (fab labs. e.g.) and speculative and conceptual forms in the context of ‘future making’. We also encourage contribution which focus on the work and practice of individual designers as well as on the political and social dimension of form and design practices. Design Histories / Practices in Africa and beyond Design Histories and practices in Africa are a hitherto neglected field of research within African art history. This is surprising given the currently blooming and diversified design scenes - a development that is closely connected to the (temporary) (re-)migrations of designers and architects. We ask for contributions which examine design practices under various angels: Presentations could tackle the interwoven and contested histories between objects from Africa and the search for new forms in the context of ‘modern arts and crafts movements’. Papers shedding light on the importance of design during the independence era are equally welcomed as well as discussions on the role of technology. We also encourage contributions which focus on the work of individual designers as well as on the political and social dimension of form. Contact Info: Prof. Dr. Kerstin Pinther Ludwig Maximilians University, Art History Munich [log in to unmask] Dr. Barbara Plankensteiner Frances & Benjamin Benenson Foundation Curator of African Art Yale University Art Galllery New Haven, CT [log in to unmask]