Opening Day Celebration: Ethiopia at the Crossroads
When:
Saturday, Apr 13, 2024 10:00a -
5:00p
Saturday, Apr 13, 2024 10:00a -
5:00p
Where:
Peabody Essex Musuem
161 Essex Street
Salem, MA 01970
Admission:
Unknown
Hosted by:
Categories:
Art, Games, Good for Groups, Kid Friendly
Event website:
https://www.pem.org/events/opening-day-ethiopia-at-the-crossroads
Join us in celebrating the opening of Ethiopia at the Crossroads, which explores nearly 2,000 years of Ethiopian art, culture and trade. Featuring illuminated manuscripts, metalwork and carvings in conversation with vibrant prints and sculpture by contemporary Ethiopian artists, it is the first major American exhibition to examine Ethiopian art in a global context.
Explore Ethiopian artworks and culture hands-on through a special drop-in art making activity inspired by the exhibition, along with curator-led tours and a special musical performance by dragonchild.
Curator-Led Tour of Ethiopia at the Crossroads
11 am | Ethiopia exhibition gallery
Same day tickets required, limited availability. Tickets available at the Information desk.
Learn about the exhibition from Christine Sciacca, Curator of European Art, 300-1400 CE at the Walters Art Museum (where the exhibition was previously on view), and PEM curators Karen Kramer and Lydia Peabody.
Drop-in Art Making: Customized Crowns
12–3 pm | Create Space Studios
Throughout Ethiopian history, high-ranking officials and royalty have worn spectacular crowns featuring symbols and motifs that relate to the wearers' ranking, dynasty, style and more. Crowns and headdresses can tell us different stories about the people who wore them. If you had a crown designed specially for you, what stories would you want it to tell? Make your own paper crown and adorn it with decorations that reflect your identity, culture and style. Wear your personal story with pride!
Musical Performance: dragonchild
2 pm | Morse Auditorium
Same-day tickets required; capacity is limited. Tickets available at the Information desk.
Ethiopian-American musician D.A. Mekonnen will present the regional premiere of dragonchild’s Monument Eternal – Performance & Visual Album.
Conceived and transmitted by D.A. Mekonnen, dragonchild is an expression of ecogrief and a celebration of Ancestral (sonic) creation — a culmination of decades of musical experimentation, embodied spiritual practice and critical thinking. Released in spring 2023 on FPE Records, their debut record BLACK is the monumental result of that exploration: four one-sided albums, designed to be played simultaneously, creating an immersive and disorienting swarm of sound.
