Africa - 1881 through 1994

 AFRICA

1881 ~ 1994

        In this week's discussion, we focused on African interiors. Reading about this really shifted the way I think about design and how I should research more cultures' take on interiors. One thing I learned is that in the African culture, their designs are all connected to something. Whether that be family, experiences, culture, etc. I liked learning about how the design in this era mixed function and symbolism to create a beautiful outcome. Unlike much of the Western design, African design emphasizes community and status. Overall, aesthetics was not the priority on its own. Meaning, function, and symbolism played just as important a role in making African design both international and rooted in community. 

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A completely African furnished home offers a powerful way to understand how design can function politically. This idea can be illuminated by comparison to Louis XIV, who ended up orchestrating every artistic medium, including architecture and design. Historically, major artistic achievements have often depended on state sponsorship and immense design. Acts of making, acquiring, and preserving material culture can become strategies of resistance and sources of individual or collective empowerment. 

Comments

  1. Makayla OlarJanuary 29, 2026 at 12:57 PM

    Hey Bianca! I love how you mentioned that in African culture, all their designs are connected to something. I think this holds so much power and is so meaningful, and we should all strive to make these connections in our own designs!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nicol TorresJanuary 30, 2026 at 1:21 PM

    I liked how your post emphasized that African design is deeply connected to culture, family, and symbolism rather than just aesthetics. Your comparison between African design and Western traditions clearly showed how meaning and function play a central role.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Professor VanderNoordaaFebruary 1, 2026 at 7:13 AM

    Bianca,
    I appreciate your images and thoughts about African design. I realize this course is new to you. Next Blog please label all images. You will need examples of interiors, art and furnishings form the time period we looked at. You will need current examples from today showing examples of African design we would find today. Also, you need to write a paragraph at the end that summarizes your thoughts about this period. 40/50 points.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Allyssa PotterFebruary 1, 2026 at 11:58 AM

    Hi Bianca! I appreciate how you described that this period is not just about beauty, it is about the meaning and purpose behind the design.

    ReplyDelete

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