Ethiopia Thu 29-04-2010

Bolero: Art On The Move
By a Correspondent

This is an international art project on the move premiering works on newspaper by Frank JMA Castelyns, Willo Gonnissen, Pierre Mertens, Mulugeta Tafesse, Behailu Bezabih, Bekele Mekonnen, Bisrat Shibabaw, Eshetu Tiruneh & Nuru Abegaz.

Untitled by Behailu Bezabih

^{Behailu Bezabih Ayele | Untitled | 2008 | Mixed Media | 36.5 x 66 x 7 cm}

The artists first initiative was their participation at the East African biennale dividing the a reproduction of ‘Les Demoiselles d'Avignon’ of Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) in four pieces.

Willo Gonnissen, Mulugeta Tafesse and Pierre Mertens invited Ricardo Brey, Cuba, to make a work of art on 1/4 reproduction of the famous Picasso’s painting above mentioned.

At the biennale of Dar Es Salaam the work was presented as one work of art.

On the 19th of February 2010, the artists started a second global art initiative: Bolero, a global nomad exhibition that will grow like a caravan enlarging during a trip in the desert.

Featured on the Ethiopian Daily newspaper of 19/2/2010, the four artists decided to make a work of art and presented it in print form simultaneously in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and Kinshasa (Congo).

The opening of Bolero is on the 1st of May 2010 and the group will invite artists of from Ethiopia and Congo - Kinsasha to do the same type of art work on newspapers from their country. These new works of art will join the exhibition in the next location.

The suitcase of business trips traveling from Flanders to all parts of the world makes this project possible. By using new print media techniques, i.e, internet, and scanners these artists make it possible to build a physical exhibition in a minimal time and without complex transport or insurance problems.

It is an exhibition that will remain in the country where it is presented, as it will be glued on the wall of the exhibition and will disappear by time like the memory of the passing caravan disappears (Smoked Art).

The caravan remains but never comes back in the same composition. The physical aspect of the project, namely the suitcase, the glued prints, the stress of a limited business work time frame, the invitations sent by the traditional post or mail makes this project realistic, anarchic (radical and chaotic) and a unique comment on the globalization of the art scene.

This growing exhibition will also be presented in Dublin, Dar Es Salaam, Ho Chi Min City (Vietnam) New Delhi (India) and all other possible locations. These locations can change and will be determined by travel opportunities of the participating artists.

The venue is one of the most architecturally interesting multi-purpose facilities in the city (www.laphto.com). Utilizing both interior and exterior space, the building offers a chance for large numbers of audiences to view the artworks on display, both inside and outside.

FACTOR X

To look a work of art is just like a colour mosaic, you need 3-4 meters distance. It is for the first time, I bring paintings on canvas to Addis, although small size, I am struggling with myself to believe that they are 'big' works. Every thing goes to that optics and what you have built is what counts, not the physical reality. FACTOR X. Here to stay is what is dwelt upon as an illusive image and an iconographic imprint - contained. Still geometry is not absent nor is figure on the run...» Mulugeta Tafesse, April, 2010.

FACTOR X. exhibition feature works by Ethiopian artist Mulugeta Tafesse and is curated by Leo Lefort.

The show opens on Saturday May 1, 2010, 6-3pm at Laphto Complex, Old Airport Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and closes on the 15 May 2010. The exhibition is open Monday-Saturday: 10am-6pm.

^{Untitled by Mulugeta Tafesse | Image from artandadvice.com}

About the artist:

Born in Hauzien, Ethiopia, 1960
Studied at the Fine Arts School of Addis Ababa, 1976-80
Taught painting at the Fine Arts School, 1980-82
Studied at the Higher Institute of Fine Arts, M.A., Sofia, 1982-89
Post Graduate Degree, National Higher Institute for Fine Arts, Antwerp, 1992-95
Prepared Ph.D & workshops, University of La Laguna, Tenerife (E), 1995-96
Guest lecturer, Higher Institute for Fine Arts, Antwerp (B), 1997-98

Lecturer on Modern African Painting & African Photography (Hasselt, Masstricht, Stockholm, Antwerp)
Group exhibition: Sliven, Smolian, Antwerp, Tervuren, Turnhout, Paris, Dakar Biennale, Villinus Triennalle, Vervier, Montigny Charlerois, Willebroek, Lyons…
Solo exhibition: Addis Ababa, Sofia, St. Niklaas, Antwerpen, Hasselt, Brussels, Amsterdam
Works of art from the artist are to be found in collections such as: the School of Art and Design, Addis Ababa, 1982, St. Cyril and Methodius Foundation, 1989, Foreign Arts Centre, Sofia and Provincie Antwerpen, the County of Antwerp, 2006, and other public and private holdings collections.

http://www.hanstheys.be/artists/mulugeta_tafesse/index.htm
http://www.hanstheys.be/artists/mulugeta_tafesse/cv_mulugeta_tafesse.htm
http://users.skynet.be/artexpo/tafesse.htm
http://www.vandaeleeditie.be/tafesse.html.

The exhibitions FACTOR X & BOLERO will be presented on various floors in the newly constructed Laphto complex. Accessible and conveniently located in Addis Ababa.

Exhibitions opening Saturday May 1, 2010, from 3 to 6pm (ca$h bar) at Laphto Complex, Old Airport, Next to Bisrate Gabriel Church www.laphto.com, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Duration May 1-15, 2010. Open Monday-Saturday: 10am-6pm

In collaboration with SMOKED ART, Belgium.
Curated by Leo LEFORT, Ethiopia.
Made Possible with the support of:
FLACC (Werkplaats Voor Beeldende Kunstenaars // Workplace for Visual Artists) Goethe Institut, Addis Abeba
Astar Advertising.

CONTACT & INFORMATION

Laphto Complex, Old Airport
Next to Bisrate Gebriel Church
Addis Abeba, ETHIOPIA
Tel.: (+251)11.372 8777/ 78
E-mail: info@laphto.com
www.laphto.com