Lecture Series SoSe2024, Theo Eshetu

Dienstag, den 02.07.24, 18 Uhr
Hörsaal der Kunsthochschule

Theo Eshetu, born in London in 1958, has worked in media art since 1982 exploring various formats that range from the essay-films to large-scale video installations. His works explore how electronic media shape and inform our global perceptions. He combines a formal artistic research with a specific engagement to the interconnectedness of diverse world cultures.

Eshetu will be presenting a screening of his work ‘Return of Axum Obelisk’, which vividly commemorates the historic return of the Obelisk of Axum to Ethiopia. This artwork beautifully captures the symbolism and significance of the obelisk’s restoration, transforming its meaning from a reminder of colonial conflict to an emblem of reconciliation and unity. A true celebration of history and a testament to the enduring spirit of Ethiopia. Eshetu’s installation is a 15-screen that chronicles the entire process of dismantling the obelisk in Rome, its transport to Axum, and the awe-inspiring re-erection, culminating in joyous celebrations.

Inspired by traditional Ethiopian paintings that narrate the legend of the Queen of Sheba, Eshetu’s work merges this rich artistic tradition with contemporary art, presenting the reinstallation of the obelisk as a „ritual ceremony of transformation.“ The video installation artfully explores the themes of time and movement, using a non-linear narrative approach that tastefully combines theatrical enactments, historical archival footage, and film recordings of the obelisk’s return.

Datum
02.07.2024/ 18 Uhr

Ort
Hörsaal, 1 UG West
Kunsthochschule Mainz
Am Taubertsberg 6,
55122 Mainz

Bildnachweis/Textnachweis
Vortragsreihe SoSe 24, Text/Grafik, 2024 © Kunsthochschule Mainz, Robert Meyer,