Inner and Outer Space: Lalibela on The Moon
Abel Tilahun
Jun 20 - Oct 21, 2020
Biete Medhane Alem 2, Digital print, 2020
The Washington Post calls Abel Tilahun “a futurist who works in sculpture, photography and video, inspired by architecture and outer space.” Inner and Outer Space: Lalibela on the Moon marks the occasion of the annular solar eclipse taking place in Lalibela, Ethiopia on June 21, 2020. Often called a “ring of fire eclipse,” an annular eclipse occurs when the new moon moves directly in front of the sun (and to prevent eye damage should only be viewed through solar eclipse glasses). The exhibition will physically open at the Ethiopian Space Science Society event on location in Lalibela on the eve of the eclipse, June 20, 2020, thereafter made available for a socially-distanced global audience online at www.abeltilahun.com.
Biete Gebriel-Rufael 1, Digital print, 2019
Biete Gebriel-Rufael 2, Digital print, 2020 |
Lalibela on the moon, Digital print, 2019 |
Biete Medhane Alem 1, Digital print, 2020 |
Biete Mariam, Digital print, 2020 |
Inner and Outer Space: Lalibela on the Moon is inspired by the 12/13th century monolithic architecture of Lalibela’s Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Churches, considered the eighth wonder of the world. These 11 medieval churches were carved out of rock during the reign of King Lalibela, who set out to construct them as a “New Jerusalem” for Christian pilgrimage. According to UNESCO, which classifies them as a World Heritage site, “the churches were not constructed in a traditional way but rather were hewn from the living rock of monolithic blocks. These blocks were further chiselled out, forming doors, windows, columns, various floors, roofs etc…Biete Medhani Alem, with its five aisles, is believed to be the largest monolithic church in the world, while Biete Ghiorgis has a remarkable cruciform plan.”
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Biete Debre Sina, Digital print, 2019 |
Biete Amanuel, Digital print, 2020 |
Biete Medhane Alem 3, Digital print, 2020
Biete Abba Libanos 1, Digital print, 2020
Through his artwork, Abel Tilahun explores how monolithic architecture carves out and activates spaces. These inner spaces of grandeur have the ability to shape and define one’s internal aspirations. These works imagine monolithic architectural practice applied to the rock face of the moon. While previous designs for lunar settlements rely on additive construction methods that would require massive importation of materials from Earth, or more invasive practices of mining and repurposing, this project considers the monolithic carving practice demonstrated in the Lalibela churches as a low-impact technique for constructing enduring and inspiring architectural spaces on the face of the moon. These works draw on and artistically manipulate NASA archival images in order to expand the cultural imagination of outer space beyond an American-dominated one, envisioning lunar settlements through a uniquely Ethiopian lens.
