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Afrofuturism short
A rightful place for Black culture
Afrofuturism is a creative movement where art, technology and mythology converge. It tells new stories in which Black civilisations are not on the sidelines, but take centre stage. It is a way of thinking in which justice and fairness go hand in hand with imagination. In this global narrative, you will meet pioneers and visionaries: from musician and cosmic thinker Sun Ra, to Ryan Coogler’s film Black Panther and the sculptural worlds of artist Ekow Nimako.
Sun Ra – the creative forefather
A major source of musical inspiration and a pioneer of Afrofuturism is Sun Ra, who is often referred to as the creative forefather of Afrofuturism. From the 1950s onwards, Sun Ra gained international fame for his revolutionary and experimental jazz music and his theatrical live performances.
Equally impactful was his ‘cosmic’ Afrofuturist philosophy. This way of thinking arose from a vision in which he was abducted to Saturn. Following this, Sun Ra began to create a unique world in which science fiction, cosmic mysticism and the visual language of ancient African cultures merged.
Black Panther – A new perspective
Perhaps the best-known example of Afrofuturism is the 2018 Marvel film Black Panther, directed by Ryan Coogler. This film featured the first black superhero on the big screen.
The Oscar-winning film received widespread international acclaim and broke countless records. For Black communities in the United States, and indeed around the world, Black Panther meant something special. The film offered a fresh perspective: a story that showcased pride and strength, and which, moreover, challenged the negative portrayals of Black characters often seen in other films.