Written Art Ethiopia

Ethiopia has one of the oldest written cultures on the African continent; in Europe, however, the myth of ‘oral Africa’ persists. One goal was to dive into the history of the Amharic script, and explore how current artists use it in their work. A second aim was to engage in dialogue with contemporary authors, publishers and translators as well as with literary institutions. Two institutions in Addis Ababa were therefore of particular interest: the Zoma Museum, an environmentally conscious art project led by the artist Elias Sime and the curator Meskerem Assegued, and the Fendika Cultural Center, led by the dancer Melaku Belay.
This artistic research aims to lay the foundations for a collaboration with writers, artists and institutions in Ethiopia, in order to realize a joint exhibition project, ‘Written Art Ethiopia’. 

This research trip was supported by the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia Johannesburg.

Read more: Written Art Ethiopia (english), Schrift Kunst Äthiopien (Deutsch)
More information: litafrika