Mekhitar Garabedian
Without even leaving, we are already no longer there
2 December 2011 - 26 February 2012

S.M.A.K. presents the first museum solo exhibition of the Syrian born and Belgian based Mekhitar Garabedian (1977, Aleppo). The exhibition consists of various works from the last five years, several new productions and a first look at Garabedian's 'library'. In his work, Garabedian examines the position of the individual and the development of identity in contemporary society shaped by migratory movements. Using widely divergent media, he examines how the rupture caused by migration continues to determine the present and how multilingualism shapes the position and psyche of the migrant. Just as his personal history is layered, Garabedian's discourse reveals numerous references to literature, music, philosophy and the visual arts.

Mekhitar Garabedian is affiliated to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, University College Ghent since 2009, where he is working on a PhD in the visual arts.

Image: Mekhitar Garabedian, Bourdj Hamoud, Mar Mikhael (2010)

Nedko Solakov
All in Order, with Exceptions
25 February - 3 June 2012

For thirty years now the Bulgarian artist Nedko Solakov (1957, Cherven Briag) has formulated witty and ironic critiques of society and the world of art, through layered stories and concise, endearing drawings and texts. In 2012 S.M.A.K. will literally present a 'retrospective' exhibition on the artist, with a selected work from each year from 1981 to 2011. In thirty 'folders' Solakov will place comments on thirty years of artistic practice, and through his characteristic comments and tales, he will infiltrate between the lines of the exhibition.

The exhibition is a collaboration between S.M.A.K. Ghent, Ikon-Gallery Birmingham and Serralves Porto.

Image: Nedko Solakov, A man with a Sun (2010)

More info: www.smak.be