Building a City in Art

Tariku Shiferaw’s Addis Zemen installation mirrors the turbulence, memory and optimism.

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Described by many visitors as a “replica” of the capital, the installation Addis Zemen (Amharic for “New Era”) at the recent Adey Abeba exhibition at the Gebre Kristos Desta Center serves as a symbolic mirror of the sweeping renovations that have reshaped Addis Ababa over the past two years.

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The work anchors the debut solo exhibition of artist Tariku Shiferaw, introducing his signature installation style to a local audience. Through the piece, Tariku captures the visual language of a city in transition, marking a notable moment in the capital’s evolving artistic and urban narrative.

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Tariku describes his practice as a site-responsive, immersive medium driven by conceptual intent. By incorporating sound and physical objects, he seeks to narrow the distance between artwork and observer, inviting viewers to experience the installation from within its physical and conceptual boundaries.

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