Black Joy Day - Tropical Modernism: Brand New Worlds

Discover 1940s West African architectural design for creating shade, facilitating breeze, sun-breakers, and grilles, in hot and humid climates. During the post-colonial era Tropical Modernism was a beacon of independence in Ghana and India.

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Black Joy Day - Tropical Modernism: Brand New Worlds  photo

For this special study day that celebrates the headline exhibition season ‘Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence’ we are joined by Christopher Turner, the exhibition curator, for an informative presentation and dialogue outlining the purpose and key themes of the exhibition, highlighting the lesser known African and Asian architects featured, and how they helped to influence the way societies lived, worked, entertained, and endured these times of social and political change.

We explore the importance of this design genre as a symbol of new hope and liberation for ‘brand new worlds’ of independence namely Ghana and India, and any plans the museum may have to use Tropical Modernism to tell, collect, and decolonise ‘new’ architectural narratives.

Access to the ‘Tropical Modernism: Architecture and independence’ exhibition is included. A light lunch will be served.

'joy is an act of resistance' Poet Toi Derricotte.

'Black joy inspires us, keeps us uplifted through the toughest of times, and is radical in its simplicity to make us happy and confident in finding one’s collective voice. In Black joy we celebrate the Black experience, history, culture, and community cohesion, to share, listen and support others in our need to connect and be together.' Janet Browne.

A schedule of the day will be available shortly.

This event is in collaboration with the Black Gallery Visitor Network (UK).

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Header image: Senior Staff Club House, KNUST, Kumasi by Miro Marasović, Nikso Ciko and John Owuso Addo, film still from 'Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence'. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London