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Guest lecture:

 

Prof. Dr. Herzogenrath

The Future of Avantgarde-Music

Blaha, Malte C.

Matrikelnummer 7509502

 

Guest lecture:

In a recent guest lecture, the topic of Afrofuturism and its relationship to music and sound was explored. The lecturer emphasized the importance of understanding the context and reference points of music and sound, as well as how they can be split into different parameters. The cyberpunk movement was also discussed in terms of its weightless and transcendental qualities, reminiscent of "Blade Runner." The combination of science fiction and real sounds creates a unique dimension that is fundamental to Afrofuturism music.

The lecture delved into the musical style of Sun Ra, an Afrofuturist musician who arrived on Earth from Saturn and "left the planet" in 1993. Sun Ra's music embodies the Afrofuturist ideals of using art to escape and fight against the white patriarchal world of imprisonment. His music features typical blues elements from the 1920s, jazz elements such as trumpets and saxophones, and double singing voices. The clapping and use of the “glockenspiel” provide a musical DNA for Afrofuturism music, which resembles a lot of Black church music. The lecturer suggested thinking of music as technology and considering its purpose in a broader context.

There was also a discussion on the technical advancements in music, such as the use of synthesizers in "Jazz Rock Funk" by Herbie Hancock and Curtis Mayfield. The music of Afrofuturism is timeless, with a powerful and happy tone that inspires listeners. The lecturer also emphasized the importance of considering the cultural background from which music is produced and how it is addressed to someone. Ultimately, it was revealed that sound and music play an essential role in Afrofuturism, which uses art to imagine a better future and fight against oppression.

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