international lecture series at Technical University Munich

Which role do art and architecture play in the implementation of democratic structures? Recent grass-roots movements in African states, such as Burkina Faso and Uganda, have utilised artistic strategies to overthrow corrupt politicians and formulate visions for justice, tolerance and freedom of speech in their respective countries. In other countries, such as Nigeria and Rwanda, architects have developed spaces for the realisation of central democratic values, e.g. dialogue, communal participation, active citizenship and collective belonging.
This lecture series aims to provide a platform to discuss inspirational art and architecture projects in the Global South. This will illuminate the contribution of artists and architects in processes of facilitating environments for democratic engagement.

29 April 2019, 18.30-20h
Sarah Hegenbart (Munich, Germany)
Democratic Intuition: Meleko Mokgosi’s history paintings as medium in the fight for democracy in South Africa

6 May 2019, 18.30-20h
Anthony Gardner (Oxford, United Kingdom)
Silence and Resistance

13 May 2019, 18.30-20h
Kate Cowcher (St Andrews, United Kingdom)
Mile High Modernism: Industrial Art and Design in Jet Age Ethiopia

20 May 2019, 18.30-20h
Olajumoke Adenowo (Lagos, Nigeria)
Democracy reflected in Form Space and Order: Learning from West Africa’s Ancient Empires

27 May 2019, 18.30-20h
Natasha A. Kelly (Berlin, Germany)
The African Diaspora Palace: The Pastfuture of Black Knowledge in Europe

3 June 2019, 18.30-20h
Imoudu Oluwaseun Ojo (Leipzig, Germany) 
Post-independence Modernism and Globalization in Ghana

10 June 2019, 18.30-20h
Thomas Haakenson (San Francisco, United States)
The Architecture and Aesthetics of Apartheid: Dada in South Africa

17 June 2019, 18.30-20h
Christian Benimana (Kigali, Rwanda)
The Next Generation of African Architects and Designers - African Design Centre

The lecture series is organised by Dr. Sarah Hegenbart. Please email [email protected] for any further questions.