The concept of “african aesthetics”: essay of a critical genealogy

Abstract

Since the discovery of what is known today as “african art”, numerous studies have been undertaken in an attempt to define what is meant by “african aesthetics”. What does this concept actual embrace? Is there any legitimate justification in referring to “african aesthetics”? Taking into account the historical background of the “african aesthetics” concept, this essay tries to demonstrate that, while any object can eventually be decreed as a work of art, the same cannot be applied to the concept of Aesthetics whether from the point of view of discursive reasoning or as a discipline.