How an artist and curator team are revitalizing Addis Ababa with eco-friendly projects
High in the Entoto Mountains, overlooking Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a new cultural center fusing art, ecology, and local building traditions is underway. Named Zoma Village Entoto, this innovative complex, set to open in September, is a creation of Elias Sime, a prominent Ethiopian artist, and Meskerem Assegued, an anthropologist and curator.
The center features undulating structures, exhibition spaces, a library, culinary school, children’s activity center, and more, all supported by circular columns. The design incorporates elements to protect the local habitat, from hyenas to bees. Sime’s intricate art, seen throughout the center, includes pavements adorned with butterflies, walls with hieroglyphic birds, and sculpted ducks on pillars.
Assegued and Sime meticulously planned the design to preserve the natural landscape and wildlife, drawing inspiration from traditional building techniques in Ethiopia, India, and Mexico. Their sustainable approach includes using lime for mortar and natural materials like mud and straw for construction.
The duo’s collaboration began in the 1990s, leading to the establishment of Zoma Museum and later Zoma Village Entoto. The museum, with its mud walls and unique sculptures, has become a hub for art, education, and sustainable living. Assegued envisions the center as a place to nurture humanity through art and nature.
Despite economic challenges in Ethiopia, local authorities are investing in public spaces like parks and museums. Zoma Museum has attracted international attention, including a commission from the Ethiopian prime minister to replicate its model at Unity Park. Sime and Assegued aim to create spaces that celebrate art, nature, and humanity, with Zoma Village Entoto as their latest ambitious endeavor.
While the financial investment in Zoma Village Entoto is substantial, Sime and Assegued prioritize creating a lasting impact for artists and the community over monetary returns. Their shared vision reflects a commitment to creativity, sustainability, and love in their work.
Source
Elara Voss, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master’s in Fine Art. She specializes in contemporary sculpture and installation art, exploring themes of nature and human interaction. Elara’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions across Europe, and she is currently working on her first solo show.