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.

Italian Pavilion, Rem Koolhass, 2014 Makoko Floating School, Kunlé Adeyem,Silver Prize Winner, 2016

Chinese Pavilion, Studio Pei Zhu, Gold Prize Winner 2010

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 TourismCurator: Meskerem Assegued, Director of Zoma Contemporary Art CenterCuratorial Assistant: Dr. Isabelle Zaugg, assistant lecturer at Colombia UniversityArchitectural Team Leader: Fasil Giorghis, architect and professor at EiABC EiABC Liaison: Dawit Benti, architect and lecturer at EiABCFlorida International University Liaison: David Rifkind, associate professorArtist: Elias Sime, Artistic director of ZCACArtist: Abel Tilahun, sculpture and new media artistArtist: Miriam Hillawi, architect Catalogue Designer: Anatoli BultiDesigner: Emmanuel Admassu, Assistant Professor at Rhode Island School of DesignResearch team: 20 young architectural students from EiABC and FIU

Preliminary design of ZCACdrawings 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 BarattaItalian Cultural Institute Director: Francesca AmendolaItalian Embassy: First Secretary Giandomenico MilanoUniversità Iuav di Venezia, Iuav School of Doctorate StudiesPerformers at the opening: Mulatu Astatke and Enzo FavattaEthiopian Tourism Organisation: Ato Yohannes TilahunCEO 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@zcac.netanatolibultig@gmail.com For more information go to: www.ethiopianpavilion2018.weebly.com

Yours, H.E. Minister Dr. Hirut Weldemariam (Commissionaire)Meskerem Assegued (Head Curator)Fasil Giorghis (Team Leader of the Ethiopian Pavilion)

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