Mekhitar Garabedian

Saturday 29 April, 5–7pm
Book launch in collaboration of Occasional Papers

Import — Export, Friperie 

To celebrate the launch of Import — Export, Friperie, artist Mekhitar Garabedian discusses with curator Samuel Saelemakers key topics raised by the book, including the translation of private experience to public artwork, speaking with the words of others, and diasporic thinking.

In Import — Export, Friperie, Garabedian brings us on a photographic journey through the warehouse ofhis late father’s company, which exported second-hand clothing from Belgium to the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

Garabedian was prompted to return to his earlier photographic documentation by Saelemakers, who invited the artist to create a new public sculpture in 2022 for the annual 'Public Figure' commission in Antwerp's Stadspark, part of the Antwerp Public Art Collection (Collectie Kunst in de Stad / Middelheim Museum).

Conversation moderated by Antony Hudek
The traditional Middle Eastern drink Arak will be served.