Charl Landvreugd, Notes on continental Afro-European aesthetics and sensibilities
Notes on continental Afro-European aesthetics and sensibilities The idea of a separate category for continental aesthetics and sensibilities among Afro-European subjects is fairly new in contrast to other diaspora aesthetics. Developing this concept in the visual arts is helped by using tools from English and French-speaking discourses; at the same time, however, such tools need careful consideration before being applied because of differences within the regions of Europe. Through conversations with artist and thinkers, I test these tools in search of the possibilities for Afro-European aesthetics and sensibilities. With an expanding Europe and the rise of nationalism and regionalism in Europe, I investigate the visual arts through notions of citizenship and belonging and how these are tied in, if at all, with the work of continental Afro-European artists. The research looks into fine art practices as a means for establishing a distinctive aesthetic for continental Afro-Europeans in relation to wider diaspora discourses. It is also a way of understanding the production of contemporary subjectivity on the continent and in the Caribbean. Biography: Charl Landvreugd is a visual artist, working mainly in the fields of sculpture, performance, installation and video, and he has experience as a curator and writer, and has several (inter)national publications. He studied Fine Art and History of Art (joint honours) at Goldsmiths, University of London. As a Fullbright Fellow he continued his studies in Modern Art: Critical and Curatorial Studies at Columbia University, New York. He has been awarded several scholarships and grants to develop his research into African diaspora aesthetics in continental Europe. Landvreugd has worked in Europe, the Caribbean and the United States. Both theoretical and practical, his work is always looking for representations of the genesis of a new humankind. In a catchy visual language that mixes science fiction, futurism, kitsch and refined aesthetics, his art speaks about the possibility of colour losing its meaning and of creating an apolitical humanity.
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