Addis Ababa 89plus Workshop

A snapshot introducing the sixteen creative practitioners who took part in the Addis Ababa session, the last stop in the three-country research trip during 2015.

By 89plus

89plus, Another Africa

Photographer Aron Simeneh presenting his portfolio during the 89plus Addis Ababa workshop at Alle School of Fine Art and Design, Addis Ababa University. (2015-08-07)89plus

THE WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS

Emnet Woubishet Teklu
Yohannes Mulat
Orion Lemma Hailemichael
Antenhe Teka Geleta
Kallkidan Shobe
Kirubel Abebe
Henock Azene
Martha Haile
Tizta Berhanu
Mekbib Tadesse
Aron Simeneh
Maheder Tadese Hailesellassie
Yafet Daniel
Temesgen Feseha
Yewubdar Yakob
Rebka Bereket

Untitled by Emnet Woubishet Teklu and Edlawit Hirpa Urga89plus

Emnet Woubishet Teklu

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1992) Emnet is a graduating architecture student who has been involved in many projects relating to urban design and sustainable architecture. She is interested in exploring and expanding the state of architecture, and discovering new platforms previously unknown to the study and practice of architecture and design.

Untitled by Emnet Woubishet Teklu and Feven Berhane Fisseha89plus

Untitled by Emnet Woubishet Teklu89plus

"I’m really enthusiastic about my thesis. It’s a time for me to explore different aspects of architecture, and to explore how I can use it in different unconventional ways."

Emnet Woubishet Teklu, architect

the bird in a cage (2014) by Yohannes Mulat89plus

Yohannes Mulat

(b. Debre Birhan, Ethiopia, 1992) Yohannes has developed a rich practice surrounding the notion of perceived reality. Separating reality from social constructs, Yohannes explores the calculated representations that human beings generate to create meaning and associate themselves with the world around them.

the writer's room (2015) by Yohannes Mulat89plus

over determined perception (2015) by Yohannes Mulat89plus

"I was always fascinated by the idea that reality is beyond the range of human comprehension… "

Yohannes Mulat, visual artist

Untitled (2015) by Orion Lemma Hailemichael89plus

Orion Lemma Hailemichael

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1993) Orion is an architecture student interested in the way architecture shapes our world. While he is also passionate about electronics and digital media, Orion's main focus has been on developing environmentally aware designs and alternatives.

RE-FRACT (2014) by Orion Lemma Hailemichael and Michael Bekele89plus

"Initially the idea I had was to design buildings and interior designs but after a workshop I started to see things differently… which was based on lines and shadows."

Orion Lemma Hailemichael, architect

Untitled (2015) by Antenhe Teka Geleta89plus

Antenhe Teka Geleta

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1990) Antenhe is a visual artist working primarily in sculpture. His works reflect a foundation in conceptual art, exposing complex ideas through the use of minimalist object art.

‘bet Yegzair new’ (2015) by Kallkidan Shobe89plus

Kallkidan Shobe

(b. Hawassa, Ethiopia, 1990) Kallkidan is a visual artist with an interest in the concept of identity and the bias in written history. His practice is pensive, and often involves a performative aspect on behalf of a public who unknowingly become the participants.

‘bet Yegzair new’ (2014) by Kallkidan Shobe89plus

"When I saw houses and structures and buildings I saw lives."

Kallkidan Shobe, visual artist

Untitled, Kallkidan Shobe, 2015, From the collection of: 89plus
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‘Defamation of Character/2’ (2015) by Kirubel Abebe89plus

Kirubel Abebe

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1990) Kirubel is a painter creating work relating to human behaviour, ego and interaction. Often using black and white paint and occasionally installation, Kirubel has built a practice on the complexities of human behaviour.

‘Mirage’ (2014) by Kirubel Abebe89plus

"My works are figurative paintings… Humans are my inspiration... that’s because I always feel there’s something untold inside, I am always trying to expose that. That is why I paint."

Kirubel Abebe, visual artist

‘Omen’, Kirubel Abebe, 2015, From the collection of: 89plus
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‘Migration’ (2014-03-05) by Henock Azene and Moving Society - Addis Ababa89plus

Henock Azene

(b. Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, 1990) Henock is a sculptor whose practice is based in the mediums of bronze cast, fibreglass and welded metals. He creates figures of both influential figures and of anonymous persons.

‘Col. John Robinson, a.k.a. The Brown Condor’, Henock Azene, From the collection of: 89plus
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‘Shame’, Henock Azene, From the collection of: 89plus
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‘Frightened’ (still image) (2015) by Martha Haile89plus

Martha Haile

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1990) Martha Haile has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design. She is a teacher at the Ale School of Fine Arts and Design (ASFAD), where she enrolled for a Master Degree in Fine Art. Working in performance and experimental video, Haile’s artistic practice has expanded through projects dealing with representation of women’s bodies. 

‘Fighting to Fit’, Martha Haile, 2015, From the collection of: 89plus
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Mannequins are a representation of the human form, yet also embody cultural values prevalent within a society. While they may project "the body as an object, rather than as a process" Haile is interested in engaging the layered meanings dealing with sexuality and gender.

Martha Haile, visual artist

‘Gluttony’ (2015) by Tizta Berhanu89plus

Tizta Berhanu

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethopia, 1991) Tizta has been developing a practice of intimate and personal portraits. Her oil paintings are expressionistic in style, revealing the visceral emotions of her subjects. The dark, blended figures she paints personify love at its most passionate in hand with the despair that it brings.

Untitled, ‘Boxer’ Series by Mekbib Tadesse89plus

Mekbib Tadesse

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1990) Mekbib is a photographer based in Ethiopia. His practice focuses on capturing fashion and visual arts events as well as personal projects that reveal a digital surrealism of the people in his country. His vision is to expose the talent in Ethiopia and the lives of those around him.

Untitled, ‘Boxer’ Series by Mekbib Tadesse89plus

"What I try to do is show the textures, feelings and emotions..."

Mekbib Tadesse, visual artist

Untitled, ‘Patriot's Day Celebration’ Series (2015-05-05) by Aron Simeneh89plus

Aron Simeneh

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1996) Aron has only recently discovered photography but has quickly developed a passion for it. He photographs musicians and recently began doing portraiture of patriots. His work displays an astounding quality of professionalism and perspective.

Untitled, ‘Patriot's Day Celebration’ Series (2015-05-05) by Aron Simeneh89plus

"My grandfather was a patriot… I think [their lives] should be documented. We need to tell more stories about them. I began to document [patriots] through portraits."

Aron Simeneh, visual artist

Untitled, ‘Women of Faith’ Series (2015) by Maheder Tadese HailesellassieOriginal Source: Addis Foto Fest

Maheder Tadese Hailesellassie

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1990) Maheder has created a stunningly dramatic practice primarily of portraiture. Her goal is to document the vivid lives of those around her to create a visual narrative filled with the deep emotions of those she photographs.

Untitled, ‘Women of Faith’ Series, Maheder Tadese Hailesellassie, 2015, Original Source: Addis Foto Fest
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Untitled, ‘Women of Faith’ Series, Maheder Tadese Hailesellassie, 2015, Original Source: Addis Foto Fest
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Untitled (2014) by Maheder Tadese Hailesellassie89plus

Untitled, 'The Believers' Series (2014) by Yafet DanielOriginal Source: https://addisfotofest.wordpress.com/2015/03/17/yafet-daniel/

Yafet Daniel

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1992)

Yafet Daniel is an aspiring photographer and a degree student of media education. He started photography as a passion with his smart phone, but the talent inside of him grew and led him to start capturing the vibrant city life of Addis Ababa. Yafet believes that photography has the power to communicate and transmit the moments of his generation.

Untitled, 'The Believers' Series (2014) by Yafet DanielOriginal Source: https://addisfotofest.wordpress.com/2015/03/17/yafet-daniel/

Untitled, 'The Believers' Series (2014) by Yafet DanielOriginal Source: https://addisfotofest.wordpress.com/2015/03/17/yafet-daniel/

AddisScan by Temesgen Feseha Wude89plus

Temesgen Feseha

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1991) Temesgen is a technologist and entrepreneur. He is part of a growing movement to disrupt and push the Ethiopian tech industry, to provide better solutions for the challenges the country is facing. He is also developing an augmented engine focusing on virtual clothing, retail and personal closets, that allows users to try on different outfits while interacting.

Untitled by Yewubdar Yakob89plus

Yewubdar Yakob

(b. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1993) Yewubdar's practice centers on painted portraits of the women around her by incorporating paint and multimedia such as glass. Her paintings focus on the struggle of women in her community and women worldwide in regard to self-esteem and lack of equality.

Untitled, Yewubdar Yakob, From the collection of: 89plus
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" I make portraits of women… to convey how women are not treated equally."

Yewubdar Yakob, visual artist

Untitled by Rebka Bereket89plus

Rebka Bereket

(b. Hawassa, Ethiopia, 1993) Rebka is a painter who specialises in painting beautiful depictions of flowers. Rebka believes flowers represent the shifting of seasons in life and the changing capabilities of time.

Untitled, Rebka Bereket, From the collection of: 89plus
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"I relate flowers with human lives, the struggle, and how everyone has struggled."

Rebka Bereket, visual artist

Alle School of Fine Arts & Design, Addis Ababa University (2015-08-10)89plus

Alle School of Fine Arts & Design, Addis Ababa University

The 89plus inaugural Addis Ababa workshop was hosted by Addis Ababa University in 4 kilo at the Alle School of Fine Arts & Design campus in August 2015.

Credits: Story

The 89plus Addis Ababa workshop was initiated by 89plus co-curators Hans Ulrich Obrist and Simon Castets, in collaboration with publishing platform Another Africa, and its founder, Missla Libsekal. They were joined by 89plus art residency participant and South African emerging artist, Bogosi Sekhukhuni.

More info:
89plus.com
anotherafrica.net


This project was made possible with the support of Google Cultural Institute.

With thanks to the following individuals and institutions for their support:

Desta For Africa, Berhanu Ashagrie Deribew, Olafur Eliasson, Studio Olafur Eliasson, Elizabeth Giorgis, Teddy Goitom, Florian Hollunder, Iceaddis, Mihret Kebede, Marcos Lemma, Aida Muluneh, Bekele Mekonnen Nigussu, Fitsum Shebeshe, Stocktown, Robel Temesgen, Alle School of Fine Arts & Design (Addis Ababa University), and Mifta Zeleke.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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