Oro Editions Arturo Mezzèdimi, Africa Hall: A Monument to African History

The book has a strong visual identity through an impacting selection of photographs and a considered design It presents unpublished photographs from the architects personal archive and an extensive collection of images by acclaimed photographers The book comprises 26 essays authored by 21 scholars and professionals, including original articles and recollections The essays are conceived as stand-alone articles, each addressing a specific historical, architectural or artistic topic, and which may be read independently This book is a photographic journey on the origin and life of Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia a building declared in 2015 Monument to African History and recently renovated which was donated in 1961 by Emperor Haile Selassie to the United Nations. Africa Hall was designed by Arturo Mezzèdimi, a young self-taught architect, to serve as the UNs continental headquarters and was the birthplace, in 1963, of the Organization of African Unity, now African Union. The building came to life with an inspiring story of reconciliation at a crucial moment in African history, when the continent was emerging out of the colonial period and making headway into a new era of independence and envisaged unity. Through its architectural composition and the embedded artworks, it embodied a Pan-Africanist vision and its rising ideals. Edited by the grandson of the architect and representing Italys contribution to the renovation project, the book sits at the crossroads of photography, architecture, history, and art and comprises an amplitude of independent essays, contributions and recollections from authors of diverse profiles. Through impacting images and short articles, it addresses events of historical relevance on a global scale, for the entire continent of Africa, at a national level for Ethiopia, and locally for the city of Addis Ababa, concluding with an introduction to the life and work of its architect.