6.5. Black History Month Norway 2025: Diaspora Dialogues, African Living: African aesthetics in a global context
My African AestheticPlay episode
Show notes
Diaspora Dialogues, African Living- African aesthetics in a global context.The talk connects historical and contemporary African aesthetics and design philosophy. We explore how African aesthetics and design philosophy shape and challenge global academic discourse. The panel also reflects on how African perspectives challenge and contribute to the expansion of our knowledge and understanding of design, identity and cultural heritage in an era marked by increasing globalization and the need for decolonization of knowledge. The conversation dwells on both historical and contemporary expressions, focusing on how African aesthetics can provide new impulses for teaching, research and creative practice. Henry Mainsah is a Research Professor at OsloMet and part of the Technology and Sustainability research group at Consumption Research Norway (SIFO). He obtained a PhD in Media and Communication from the University of Oslo and has developed an interdisciplinary research portfolio located at the crossroads between the social sciences and the creative disciplines focusing on digital media, youth culture, design, and interdisciplinary methods. Mainsah’s research covers topics such as digitization, digital literacy, youth culture, smart living, creative research methods, and participatory design. Academic disciplines: Media studies and journalism, Cultural studies, Humanities. Henry is also a Board member at My African Aesthetic.https://www.oslomet.no/om/ansatt/henryma/ Don Lawrence is an award-winning architect and founder of Don Lawrence Arkitekt AS, a contemporary architecture practice based in Oslo, Norway. With degrees from The Cooper Union in New York City and the Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO), Don’s cross-continental education and practice have shaped a design approach that bridges art, architecture, and landscape. His work explores how built form can respond to and shape a place, focusing on cultural narrative, identity, and the natural environment. Don’s practice reflects a deep commitment to rethinking the role of architecture in a global context—one that honors the past while engaging contemporary challenges. As a panelist, he brings a unique perspective on how African aesthetics and design philosophies can expand prevailing architectural discourse, contributing to new modes of teaching, research, and creative practice. www.don-lawrence.com @_don_lawrence_arkitekt T-Michael is a Ghanaian/Norwegian Artist based in Bergen, the western coastal city of Norway. His creative work comprises his eponymous label, Norwegian Rain, T-Kimono, Film lab (short films) and T Creative Spaces.T-Michael is renowned for his eponymous label. His conceptual approach to tailoring is inspired by his love of sartorial traditions and his passionate quest for a different narrative within tailoring, design and creativity.Celebrating stylistic and cultural diversities present in today's zeitgeist, T-Michael's creations are characterized by meticulous attention to detail and impeccable construction. The collection skillfully navigates the convergence of tradition and innovation, seamlessly blending elements from the timeless and the avant-garde.A collaboration with Black History Month Norway. With support from Oslo kommune, Kulturrådet og Fritt Ord.08.10.2025https://www.blackhistorymonthnorway.no/events-1-1/event-one-5j9cr-shd9j-er3s6-2skf5-kxtzx-cxxmf-bxzzn-4mm6z-wtecz-wdr7t-sefz3-mjjn7-ldw8zSupport the showInstagram: @myafricanaesthetic
Website: https://www.myafricanaesthetic.com/
