In Africa, design practices tend to focus on bottom-up growth and organic, fractal forms. They are created in a sort of feedback loop, what computer scientists call “recursion.” You start with a basic shape and then divide it into smaller versions of itself, so that the subdivisions are embedded in the original shape. What emerges is called a “self-similar” pattern, because the whole can be found in the parts. — The Conversation
"Design remains a largely white profession, with Black people still vastly underrepresented – making up just 3% of the design industry.
This dilemma isn’t new. For decades, the field’s whiteness has been recognized as a problem, and was being openly discussed as far back as the late 1980s, when the few Black graphic design students preparing to enter the profession spoke of feeling isolated and rudderless.
Part of the lack of representation might have had to do with the fact that prevailing tenets of design seemed to hew closely to Western traditions, with purported origins in Ancient Greece and the schools out of Germany, Russia and the Netherlands deemed paragons of the field. A “Black aesthetic” has seemed to be altogether absent.
But what if a uniquely African aesthetic has been deeply embedded in Western design all along?"
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Design culture starts young; black culture often times chooses to prepare people for banking, suited professions, and sport. Shaq has an impressive holding portfolio after a good career in sport and is now helping Architects succeed.
what is black culture? and what is design culture?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gfg3IB7i24
https://www.thoughtco.com/african-american-architects-builders-of-america-177886
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBDzahk_nAY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYrHF1njd7E https://www.dezeen.com/tag/africa/
The AIA has failed in its educational and professional mandate;
Architects should not determine the pipeline of who becomes an architect by controlling internships; Hiring can be biased; schools can be biased; instruction can be biased; Outside forces based on social systems have a bigger impact on who becomes an architect;
FRANK GEHRY
"Unsure of what career to choose, Gehry took a job driving a delivery truck, while attending a number of courses at Los Angeles City College. After various false starts he decided to try architecture and - despite some difficulty with his drawing skills - won several scholarships to the University of Southern California, from where, in 1954, he graduated top of his class with a degree in architecture."
(http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/architecture/frank-gehry.htm)
If given the same chances as Frank Gehry the outcomes might not be exactly the same but the demographics of the profession can be closely linked to society like in the military.
https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/14692-designers-confront-structural-racism-in-the-profession.
Endlessly fascinated by three named White people talking about what Black Culture does, is, or what it does not do. Please, go on, enlighten is further.
The idea that the golden ratio was “discovered” or “invented” is kind of silly. It is part of our collective human experience. It recurs over and over in many cultures.
Ummm.
"Why does all of this matter?
Well, in many ways, it doesn’t. We care about “who was first” only because we live in a system obsessed with proclaiming some people winners – the intellectual property owners that history should remember. That same system declares some people losers, removed from history and, subsequently, their lands, undeserving of any due reparations."
Intellectual reparations?
wow! is this just a coincidence?
especially when you realize the bit of east africa sticking outside the curve is on a separate tectonic plate tearing away from the continent
Probably aliens.
the same ones that put the pyramids there obviously
Sorry, the 'golden rectangle' began in the ocean.
Did you guys click on this link in the article it goes further?
Yes, this page is amazing!
I have to say I'm pretty disappointed with Archinect's title as it is rather click-bait-y.
This TED talk (ugggh I know, I'm not the biggest fan of them either) is hilariously topical regarding this (its all good, but clutch at around 2:00):
"Everything that we are is biological. When you look at a map, you see a bunch of structures and lines.... and yet, it was made by a biological entity."
Not surprising that a self-similar pattern found in nature would repeat itself in different cultures and contexts.
(Link again - Reggie Watts @ TEDxBerlin)
I think it originated in the Carboniferous Period, like most plant life.
Here's a really good video by a mathematician giving a glimpse why plant structures have converged on geometries regulate by the Golden Ratio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj8Sg8qnjOg
I think it is pretty clear that no, the golden rectangle (more properly the Fibonacci sequence) did not originate in Africa, but in Persia or India - this isn't "secret" knowledge, but something widely taught, both in secondary school and University.
The article that is linked is pretty garbage, but if you go one step farther to the CSDT.org link (which Orhan re-posted above,) it is fascinating and quality material. Just got poorly interpreted and headlined.
If you really want the origin, this is a decent article, with references to primary research: https://muslimheritage.com/leo...
Of course, if it's widely taught, it must be true.
I gather the premise of the article, it's that things exist in certain cultures, and language fails to give a name, because maybe that's not how all cultures work. Then, whether it be colonialism, imperialism, exploration, or trade, ideas are observed, and that's how constructs are created, names bestowed. The word gravity comes to mind.
Or it is simply true because it is true - having been established, researched, and verified with written records from the invention of algebra. I'm not sure what you are playing at?
Regarding your second statement - I agree - it is interesting how many themes come up again and again throughout human development at different times, and yet those that are articulated and codified in language or knowledge and passed on become the points of reference.
Sort of how learning a new language fundamentally alters a person's brain. Was the idea present and complete prior to it's articulation? Or does it only become complete once clearly articulated? It is the difference between the golden sequence appearing as an emergent result of other factors and being actively designed into these spaces.
Would be great to see the research taken further and explore these ideas - though it is difficult given the lack of record keeping and continuity in African cultures due to colonial disruption and genocide.
I’m pretty sure gravity was Discovered by the first trilobite that fell on its primordial ass.
Or Newton idk
The Chemical Brothers - It Began In Afrika
...
Swedish team today against Spain
sorry, this was for another thread but I forgot which one. it looks good anywhere... too much euro 2020.
Golden Ratio math.
Fibonacci is no big deal.
The Brady Numbers are not Fibonacci Numbers, but the Brady sequence is a Fibonacci sequence, one that doesn’t start with 0 and 1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Chill
A “Black aesthetic” has seemed to be altogether absent.
What is a black aesthetic? Examples would be helpful.
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