Published 05 September 2025 in News
The Renaissance of Addis Ababa
Kaleab Abate’s current practice explores change, memory, and the shifting aesthetics of urban life in his city Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s rapidly transforming capital. Like many African metropolises, the city has been undergoing rupture-like development, where familiar colors, textures, and atmospheres vanish almost as quickly as they appear. Kaleab coined the term ‘Gintil Get’ — meaning ‘undefined beauty’ — to describe his search for fleeting inspiration within these moments of transformation.
Through his work, he reflects on how city planning, architectural choices, and accelerated growth reshape not only the built environment but also collective memory, cultural identity, and the everyday coexistence of people. Nostalgia becomes a tool—almost an escape—to cope with the gradual, irreversible loss of a way of life: its distinct aesthetics, images, street chatter and scents, and the warmth of human connection.
left: Kaleab Abate, Letter to Addisalem I, 2025, Silkscreen Print, Yarn and Collage on Fabric, 200x100cm, ©Kaleab Abate
right: Kaleab Abate, Letter to Addisalem II, 2025, Silkscreen Print, Yarn and Collage on Fabric, 208x102cm, ©Kaleab Abate
Writing Letters to Addisalem
"Addisalem is a character who portrays the city [of Addis Ababa] in my new series. Addisalem is an Amharic girl's name meaning "new world". This refers to the city's current state, a new world.
Addisalem used to be vivid without color, and her laughter echoed like music over crowded streets. But somewhere along the road, her voice softened, and her body reflected but became unrecognizable. She smiles without sincerity, and her conversations lack weight. I have a lot of questions about who she became.
With every piece I create about her, I include an envelope with an actual letter inside including all of my questions. If you lift the envelopes from the works, you'll uncover my questions to Addisalem."
Kaleab Abate, September 2025