Beyond Aesthetics: A Passion for African Art is a book of essays by Wole Soyinka,[1][2]a renowned playwright, poet, essayist, novelist, and Nobel Laureate.[3][4] This play offers insights into Soyinka's personal motivations as an art collector and explores the politics of aesthetics and collecting. Through vivid accounts of his encounters with artworks, Soyinka reflects on the histories, meanings, and cultural significance embedded in these objects, revealing a world populated by mortals, muses, and deities.[5]
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| Author | Wole soyinka |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
Publication date | January 21,2020 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| ISBN | 978-0-300-24762-6 |
The book examines the role of identity, tradition, and originality in the creation, collection, and exhibition of African art. Soyinka critiques the suppressive impact of colonial and religious dogma on African artistic traditions and addresses controversies surrounding certain objects. With a blend of poetic, provocative, and humorous commentary, he champions the power of collecting as a means of reclaiming and preserving tradition. Soyinka also calls on African artists, filmmakers, collectors, and curators to engage deeply with their aesthetic and cultural legacies.[6]
Plot
editWole Soyinka's journey as an art collector and his exploration of the cultural, historical, and personal dimensions of African art. [7]The book intertwines Soyinka’s reflections on his encounters with various artworks, recounting moments of discovery and the profound impact these pieces have had on him. These objects, with the presence of mortals, muses, and deities, serve as gateways to narratives that resonate with Africa’s rich cultural heritage.[8]
Soyinka examines the broader themes of identity, tradition, and originality in the context of creating, collecting, and exhibiting African art. He critiques the enduring effects of colonial and religious suppression on African artistic traditions, while also addressing controversies surrounding the ownership and interpretation of specific objects. Throughout the essays, Soyinka advocates for a reclamation of Africa’s artistic legacy, emphasizing the importance of contextualizing art within its cultural and historical roots.
The book closes with a call to action for African artists, filmmakers, collectors, and curators to actively engage with their aesthetic and cultural histories. Soyinka presents collecting not merely as an act of acquisition but as a way of preserving and reaffirming tradition, offering a deeply personal yet universal perspective on the power and politics of art.
Language choice
editSoyinka used evocative and reflective language to explore the cultural and emotional depth of African art. He uses vivid descriptions to bring artworks to life, blending a philosophical tone with critical commentary on colonial and religious suppression of artistic traditions. The writing is interwoven with humor and wit, maintaining an engaging and balanced narrative. Through motivational and empowering language, Soyinka calls on African artists and curators to reclaim and preserve their cultural heritage, emphasizing the transformative power of art.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Amazon". Amazon. Retrieved 21-11-2024.
{{cite web}}: Check|archive-url=value (help); Check date values in:|access-date=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Bookcraft Africa". bookcraftafrica.com. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Wole Soyinka | Biography, Plays, Books, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2024-09-29. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "The Nobel Prize in Literature 1986". NobelPrize.org. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Beyond Aesthetics". Yale University Press. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Beyond Aesthetics: Use, Abuse, and Dissonance in African Art Traditions – Rovingheights Books". rhbooks.com.ng. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ Guest, Africa in Words (2020-09-29). "Review: The collector as compulsive mythologist – Wole Soyinka's "Beyond Aesthetics"". Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ Martel, Jenny. "Beyond Aesthetics: Use, Abuse, and Dissonance in African Traditions". African Arts.
- ^ "Lighthouse | Beyond Aesthetics : Use, Abuse, and Dissonance in African Art Traditions". lighthousebookshop.com. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
