Betelhem Makonnen

Betelhem Makonnen https://betelhemmakonnen.com Betelhem Makonnen Wed, 19 Feb 2025 17:47:42 +0000 https://betelhemmakonnen.com en Blackland Prairies Cover https://betelhemmakonnen.com/Blackland-Prairies-Cover Wed, 19 Feb 2025 17:47:42 +0000 Betelhem Makonnen https://betelhemmakonnen.com/Blackland-Prairies-Cover Blackland Prairies 2025 ︎︎︎ Blackland Prairies https://betelhemmakonnen.com/Blackland-Prairies-1 Wed, 19 Feb 2025 17:46:04 +0000 Betelhem Makonnen https://betelhemmakonnen.com/Blackland-Prairies-1 Blackland PrairiesVisual Arts CenterUniversity of Texas AustinAustin, TX Exhibition:   Fri. Jan. 24 - Sat. March 8, 2025 Blackland Prairies borrows its title from the name given to the fertile ecoregion that stretches from the northeastern edge of Texas to the center of the state, encompassing historically Black and Brown regions of the city of Austin. The ecological qualities of this area—its access to fresh water from the Colorado River and rich clay soil—served as a site for generations of Black Texans to build homes, establish churches and schools, and maintain communities. Since the formation of Austin’s freedom communities in the late 1860s, the efforts of segregationist city planners, urban developers, and profit-motivated investors have made this landscape unrecognizable to the Black communities who called this area home for over 150 years. Blackland Prairies examines this historical transformation through the radical lens of Black presence. By juxtaposing archival materials sourced from local collections with works by Texas-born and based artists, the exhibition demonstrates how Black histories, memories, and everyday life are permanently inscribed in the city.Blackland Prairies assembles a presentation of archival documents and photographs of Austin’s historically Black communities created by city residents, government officials, and local news media from the 19th century to the present day. These materials are surrounded by visual art that references personal and community histories in Austin and throughout Texas, as well as artworks that reflect on the relationships between Black communities and space on a more expansive scale. Together, the archives and artworks evoke the many tangible and intangible layers of Austin’s histories, complicating reductive narratives about who and what Austin is. Artists Adrian Aguilera, Riley Holloway, Aryel René Jackson, and Ann Johnson mine personal and public archives to transform images into monuments that celebrate the joy, intimacy, and hopes of Black communities. Artists Betelhem Makonnen, Tammie Rubin, Victor Torres, and Daniel Llanes use natural materials to show how the passage of time leaves a lasting mark on the environment and creates a visual record of obscured and overlooked histories. Rather than use pre-existing archival materials, artists Adraint Bereal, Nathaniel Donnett, and Cindy Elizabeth collect and document stories to emphasize how Black archives are enacted in everyday life—among friends, in conversation at a barbershop, and at family gatherings in the park.While Austin’s rapid transformation continues to minimize Black presence and history, the artists and archival materials of Blackland Prairies illuminate emerging, enduring, and evolving forms of Black life in the city.Principle support for Blackland Prairies is provided by the John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies and the Black Diaspora Archive at The University of Texas at Austin.Curation: Assistant Curator Melissa Fandos and 2024–25 Curatorial Fellow Maysa Martins. Featuring work by:Adrian Aguilera, Adraint Bereal, Nathaniel Donnett, Cindy Elizabeth, Riley Holloway, Aryel René Jackson, Ann Johnson, Daniel Llanes, Betelhem Makonnen, Tammie Rubin, Victor Torres.Works presented:  in(to)visible intersections, 2016 - 2024 installation with single channel video w/sound and image projection, 05:00 minsuntitled (our misunderstanding of time, of ourselves), 2020 Rocks, watches, simulacrum grass, pedestal, vitrineuntitled (allographic translation of undocumented history, Enchanted Rock, 30.507159° N 98.816730° W, alt. 1750 ft. and 30.5066299° N 98.817805° W, alt. 1800 ft.), 2017w/ Adrian Aguilera Enchanted Rock interviewed with graphite on acetate, 40 in x 80 in. each (diptych) Image credit: All images courtesy of the Visual Arts Center. Photos by Alex Boeschenstein. Blackland Prairies Gallery https://betelhemmakonnen.com/Blackland-Prairies-Gallery Wed, 19 Feb 2025 17:46:44 +0000 Betelhem Makonnen https://betelhemmakonnen.com/Blackland-Prairies-Gallery untitled (in the beginning was the photon) Cover https://betelhemmakonnen.com/untitled-in-the-beginning-was-the-photon-Cover Tue, 05 Nov 2024 18:43:17 +0000 Betelhem Makonnen https://betelhemmakonnen.com/untitled-in-the-beginning-was-the-photon-Cover untitled (in the beginning was thephoton)/2024 ︎︎︎                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              untitled (in the beginning was the photon) https://betelhemmakonnen.com/untitled-in-the-beginning-was-the-photon Tue, 05 Nov 2024 18:44:22 +0000 Betelhem Makonnen https://betelhemmakonnen.com/untitled-in-the-beginning-was-the-photon untitled (in the beginning was the photon) 2024Betelhem Makonnen w/ Adrian Aguilera Neon tubing  Texas State University’s Live Oak Hall Austin, Texas-based artist duo Betelhem Makonnen and Adrian Aguilera describe their neon artwork, untitled (in the beginning was the photon), as highlighting “the inherent link between light waves (composed of photons) and communication, spotlighting communication’s power to go beyond imparting information to profoundly shaping our perception of the world and ourselves in it.” The artwork is installed on the exterior of Texas State University’s Live Oak Hall, the film and television building. The use of neon script references a long line of minimalist and light artists who have also used this commercial medium in artistic expression. The work expands on the seminal quote from media theorist, Marshall McLuhan, "the medium is the message." "Whether through print, radio, television or other forms, media plays a crucial role in shaping culture and society." According to Makonnen and Aguilera, “In our ever-increasing era of information overload, it is more critical than ever to remember that we have the power to shape media even as it shapes us.” Texas State University Public Art Collection Interview and Information. This work was made in collaboration with fabricators at Neon Jungle, Lucid Art LLC and traditional neon benders at Ricochet Neon. Photographs courtesy of Eric Acuña. untitled (in the beginning was the photon) Cover Gallery https://betelhemmakonnen.com/untitled-in-the-beginning-was-the-photon-Cover-Gallery-1 Tue, 05 Nov 2024 21:11:17 +0000 Betelhem Makonnen https://betelhemmakonnen.com/untitled-in-the-beginning-was-the-photon-Cover-Gallery-1 <img width="1032" height="589" width_o="1032" height_o="589" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b549da1475f704bfdeaf1ccb133320c0d990d42fae225ba86985de6f0da1a640/IMG_4301.PNG" data-mid="221244882" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b549da1475f704bfdeaf1ccb133320c0d990d42fae225ba86985de6f0da1a640/IMG_4301.PNG" /> <img width="3000" height="1688" width_o="3000" height_o="1688" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6bebb856ba43a8111e5f5bd66ffeb47117f60d1f759a64ccce730ab9b124b0ed/AA_outdor-install_TXST_2024_2.jpg" data-mid="221236209" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6bebb856ba43a8111e5f5bd66ffeb47117f60d1f759a64ccce730ab9b124b0ed/AA_outdor-install_TXST_2024_2.jpg" /> <img width="3217" height="5718" width_o="3217" height_o="5718" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c06fe7d4b3f5a4c151c6ec9213cbae8b6bf4f3892b3f12fa2a6beaafdcc0ab9c/AA_outdor-install_TXST_2024_6.jpg" data-mid="221236315" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c06fe7d4b3f5a4c151c6ec9213cbae8b6bf4f3892b3f12fa2a6beaafdcc0ab9c/AA_outdor-install_TXST_2024_6.jpg" /> <img width="750" height="1180" width_o="750" height_o="1180" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c1e24bf33ca0496a78e5e6b318c0abb49062e9f3d5b75ffec56a6e2cc8392f7e/F85284E6-FAD1-41E1-BCE0-748E17A95E08-1.JPG" data-mid="221244854" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/750/i/c1e24bf33ca0496a78e5e6b318c0abb49062e9f3d5b75ffec56a6e2cc8392f7e/F85284E6-FAD1-41E1-BCE0-748E17A95E08-1.JPG" /> <img width="1125" height="2000" width_o="1125" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ea3c7716cd2f72ebef9207251efd993a9384c3ea14ae6e33a2a0f30b8bdc1935/AA_outdor-install_TXST_2024_11.jpg" data-mid="221236261" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ea3c7716cd2f72ebef9207251efd993a9384c3ea14ae6e33a2a0f30b8bdc1935/AA_outdor-install_TXST_2024_11.jpg" /> <img width="4284" height="5712" width_o="4284" height_o="5712" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dbc00c6fb1689b33a7fda8773651e7d497e324509a47fa9cf4a2dd079bc04552/IMG_8112.jpeg" data-mid="222837153" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/dbc00c6fb1689b33a7fda8773651e7d497e324509a47fa9cf4a2dd079bc04552/IMG_8112.jpeg" /> <img width="4284" height="5712" width_o="4284" height_o="5712" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c4cd8014ba3516de58b19c83479459b0515524abeeb38afc6ce371c0e59db90c/IMG_8108.jpeg" data-mid="222837155" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c4cd8014ba3516de58b19c83479459b0515524abeeb38afc6ce371c0e59db90c/IMG_8108.jpeg" /> Freedom of Expression Cover https://betelhemmakonnen.com/Freedom-of-Expression-Cover Wed, 22 May 2024 16:34:48 +0000 Betelhem Makonnen https://betelhemmakonnen.com/Freedom-of-Expression-Cover Freedom of Expression/ 2024 ︎︎︎ Freedom of Expression https://betelhemmakonnen.com/Freedom-of-Expression-1 Wed, 22 May 2024 16:52:36 +0000 Betelhem Makonnen https://betelhemmakonnen.com/Freedom-of-Expression-1 Freedom of ExpressionCornell Council for the Arts John Hartell Gallery, Cornell Architecture, Art and Planning Exhibition:   March 4 - 29, 2024    During the 2023–24 academic year, Cornell University President Martha Pollack announced “Freedom of Expression” as the first in a series of annual themes designed to orient the university around a crucial component of academia. In the artistic realm, freedom of expression is a central pillar. Similarly, the arts are central to Cornell Council for the Arts and the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (Cornell AAP), providing the foundation for a natural collaboration in the form of an exhibition showcasing the importance of artistic free expression. people the We is a collaborative installation by artists Adrian Aguilera and Betelhem Makonnen of works that cultivate their continuous curiosity about the relationship between symbols and collective identity, transnationality and diaspora perspectives, and history’s inextricable hold on the present. The collection of works – reimagined US flag, video installations, and a large wall vinyl – conflate the past with the future and the analog with the digital delving into foundational discussion of American citizenship. Cornell Council for the Arts (CCA) is a university-wide cultural organization that provides a platform for the creation of and public discourse on the contemporary arts on Cornell University’s campus. Featuring work by:Adrian Aguilera & Betelhem Makonnen, Osiel Aldaba, Leighton Beaman and Zaneta Hong, Imani Day, Victoria Lee, Chiedza Musiiwa & Mia Wang, Sopheak Sam, and Fabia St-Juste. alien to alien communication (civil) untitled (soy loco por ti américa) Press Cornell Chronicle Photo credit: Anson Wigner / Cornell AAP Freedom of Expression Gallery https://betelhemmakonnen.com/Freedom-of-Expression-Gallery Wed, 22 May 2024 16:32:36 +0000 Betelhem Makonnen https://betelhemmakonnen.com/Freedom-of-Expression-Gallery Parsley Space Rosemary Time Cover https://betelhemmakonnen.com/Parsley-Space-Rosemary-Time-Cover-1 Wed, 15 Nov 2023 23:00:12 +0000 Betelhem Makonnen https://betelhemmakonnen.com/Parsley-Space-Rosemary-Time-Cover-1 Parsley Space Rosemary Time  / 2023 ︎︎︎