In celebration of fashion revolution day, a film entitled “The True Cost” was screened on April 22 at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, inside the hall of National Archives and Library Agency. Organized by Fashion Designers Association in collaboration with Hub of Africa, “The True Cost” is a 2015 documentary film that focuses on Fast Fashion.
It discusses several aspects of the garment industry from production—mainly exploring the life of low-wage workers in developing countries—to its aftereffects such as river and soil pollution, pesticide contamination, disease and death. Using an approach that looks at environmental, social and psychological aspects, it also examines consumerism and mass media, ultimately linking them to global capitalism. The documentary is a collage of several interviews with environmentalists, garment workers, factory owners, and people organizing fair trade companies promoting sustainable clothing production. The director Andrew Morgan’s attention was drawn to the topic after the 2013 Savar building collapse, when a commercial building in Bangladesh named Rana Plaza toppled and killed over a thousand workers.
Clay Work’s exhibition @ Asni Gallery
Mihret Dawit’s clay works exhibition was presented on April 21 at Asni Gallery. The versatile artist who is highly drawn about three dimensional forms has been initially experimenting with materials such as gypsum and cement to create sculptures.
Later she moved on to recycled paper, cardboards and bottles. “I was not fully convinced with the results until I tried my hand on clay. I must say it was love at first touch. Clay is a material that speaks to me. I am able to express my ideas, emotions and thoughts through it,” read the artist’s statement
Her work revolves around the themes of life, death, love and womanhood. Mihret Dawit graduated in painting from the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design in 1990. Her works have been exhibited in group and solo shows locally and also internationally such as the Netherlands, France and Kenya. In addition Mihret was a resident artist at the Vermont Studio Center in the US in 2011.
Masenko maestro passes away
Getamesay Abebe, a veteran musician, passed away last week. Getamesay is known for his songs such as “Yene Ayal” and “Tiz Alegn Hagere”.
Pursuing a music career at a young age, he joined the Ethiopian National Theatre formerly known as Haile-Selassie Theatre when he is 18 and worked as vocalist and a masenko player. Getamesay also played a great role in Orchestra Ethiopia, which was formed in 1963 by Egyptian born American composer and ethnomusicologist Halim El-Dabh. He has also taught masenko to Peace Corps volunteer, Harvard-educated Charles Sutton, Jr. Sutton facilitated many of the orchestra’s tours overseas. Dubbed “The Blue Nile Group” they toured 20 states in America alone. This tour is also part of a National Geographic documentary film entitled “Ethiopia the Hidden Empire”. Until his retirement Getamesay worked in Hager Fikir Theatre contributing profound works not only in music but also in theatre such as “Yedekamoch Wotmed”, “Yelewut Arbegnoch” and “Sintayehu”. The 73 years old music veteran was a father of 10 children and 19 grandchildren.
“Watch Me” exhibition @ Alliance Ethio-Française
A painting exhibition entitled “Watch Me” will be opened on April 30 at Alliance Ethio-Française. This exhibition is a collection of Tewodros Hagos’ works. His last exhibition, which was shown at the Alliance Ethio-Française, dates back to 2013. In two years his works has taken on various transformations by taking on themes that are more prominent. In this specific exhibition the artist offers new nuances. With his latest artworks Tewodros offers an innovative look on construction workers. By painting the attitude of everyday life, the artist teaches that life is not something that should be used for other things than itself.
Tewodros was born in Ethiopia in 1974. He graduated from the School of Fine Arts and Design in Addis Ababa in 1995. He left Ethiopia and settled in Belgium where he worked for ten years. Tewodros’s work was presented at exhibitions in Berlin, Antwerp, Los Angeles and Addis Ababa. One can find his work in many private collections worldwide.