Futuristic Past: Ethiopian Vernacular Architecture
Dear Friends,
It is our greatest pleasure to announce that in 2018, the first Ethiopian Pavilion
entitled Futuristic Past: Ethiopian Vernacular Architecture will be presented at
the 16th Venice International Biennale of Architecture. The pavilion will be curated
by Meskerem Assegued and will include works by renowned multi-media artist,
Elias Sime, celebrated architect, Fasil Ghiorgis, and many other talented artists and
designers. This pavilion will be the first independent Ethiopian Pavilion in Venice.
Ant Hill over 3m tall, a unique vernacular construction material, Bale
The Venice Biennale of Architecture is the most prestigious international showcase
of architectural styles from around the world. Similar to the Olympics, every two
years, thousands of visitors, architects, students and researchers alike, flock to
Venice to see the most outstanding examples of architecture from across the world
and judge the winners. About 500,000 visitors arrived for the 2015 Biennale.
The Ethiopian Pavilion will give us a great opportunity to show the world the
diverse and sophisticated vernacular construction techniques endemic to our
country. We are confident that this pavilion will give us the exposure needed to
spark a new interest and curiosity in Ethiopian Vernacular Architecture thus
increasing tourism, research and investment.
Chinese Pavilion, Studio Pei Zhu, Gold Makoko Floating School, Kunlé Adeyem, Italian Pavilion, Rem Koolhass, 2014
Prize Winner 2010 Silver Prize Winner, 2016
Dire Sheikh Hussein
We intend to bring to the Venice Biennale of Architecture the age-old, rich and
diverse vernacular architectures of Ethiopia. This project will incorporate
Ethiopian vernacular architecture of the past, present and the future. We will show
innovative and futuristic vernacular buildings and their environmentally sound
construction techniques. The presentation will include architectural models,
sculptures, photography, videos and interactive games as well as two and
three-dimensional architectural drawings.
Lalibela Gurage Gondar
Refugee village, Assosa
Core Team
Commissionaire: H.E. Dr. Hirut Weldemariam, Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Curator: Meskerem Assegued, Director of Zoma Contemporary Art Center
Curatorial Assistant: Dr. Isabelle Zaugg, assistant lecturer at Colombia University
Architectural Team Leader: Fasil Giorghis, architect and professor at EiABC
EiABC Liaison: Dawit Benti, architect and lecturer at EiABC
Florida International University Liaison: David Rifkind, associate professor
Artist: Elias Sime, Artistic director of ZCAC
Artist: Abel Tilahun, sculpture and new media artist
Artist: Miriam Hillawi, architect
Catalogue Designer: Anatoli Bulti
Designer: Emmanuel Admassu, Assistant Professor at Rhode Island School of Design
Research team: 20 young architectural students from EiABC and FIU
Preliminary design of ZCAC
drawings by Fasil Ghiorgis
Artistic and futuristic reinterpretation of various vernacular techniques,
ZCAC, Bale National Park
Collaborators and Supporters
Director of the Venice Biennale: President Paolo Baratta
Italian Cultural Institute Director: Francesca Amendola
Italian Embassy: First Secretary Giandomenico Milano
Università Iuav di Venezia, Iuav School of Doctorate Studies
Performers at the opening: Mulatu Astatke and Enzo Favatta
Ethiopian Tourism Organisation: Ato Yohannes Tilahun
CEO of Ethiopian Airlines: Ato Tewelde Gebremariam
Mixing the mud for construction
Thus, we humbly invite you to become members of the “Friends of the Pavilion”
We will call on you to get together and strategize on fundraising and if possible to
contribute to our exhibition in-kind or monetarily.
Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding any questions:
meski@[Link]
anatolibultig@[Link]
For more information go to: [Link]
Spread the word!
#futuristicpastethiopia
#ethiopianpavilion2018
Yours, #venicebiennale2018
H.E. Minister Dr. Hirut Weldemariam (Commissionaire) follow us at @zomaartcentre for
updates!
Meskerem Assegued (Head Curator)
Fasil Giorghis (Team Leader of the Ethiopian Pavilion)
