Hong Kong. View from an empty seat | Art Ghent - SMAK, Belgium: SMAK, Ghent, Belgium

ART GHENT unites ‘Economy’ with ‘New Poetry’ as a potential response to the unprecedented circumstances in which artists and society find themselves today. Practically, this translates as the development of commercial and artistic activities, such as the organizing of exhibitions, the sale of artworks, the discussion of portfolios and the development of experimental projects and collaborations.

Unlike commercial galleries, Ben Benaouisse does not take a percentage on the sale of artworks. Artists only enter into a personal commitment with ART GHENT that is posted and explained on the public ‘interim wall’. Besides purchase and sale, exchange agreements are possible. Artists can also donate their work, after which the profit goes entirely to ART GHENT. In this way, the shop accumulates a reserve with which to continue its activities and further shape the ‘total performance’.