Kunsthall Oslo presents Robel Temesgen: Practising Water

Temesgen has utilized painting and performance to chronicle the flow of the Blue Nile’s waters through the Ethiopian landscape and culture for this initial report. The project captures Temesgen’s literal immersion in his homeland’s intricate spiritual traditions, from baptisms held at Gish Abay (the source of the Lesser Nile) to the Blue Nile Falls, where the river can reach hundreds of meters across. In one version, the river runs directly from Christian Eden to Earth; in another, it is home to powerful Djinn who can possess human souls. A plethora of shifting tales accompany the river’s continual metamorphosis as it runs from the East African highlands to the Mediterranean, from a deep time before history to an unknown future.

Temesgen created his own ceremonial language in reaction to these enormous environmental and cultural forces, as well as his dual role as pilgrim and artist. He will provide documentation of five river performances, as well as textiles and items utilized in these improvised rituals, in the exhibition Practising Water. A series of brilliant and multi-layered paintings produced with ink on goatskin parchment round off the display.