GARAGE D: SMATI TURTLE 1
Melle Smets and Joost van Onna – ‘GARAGE D ‘SMATI Turtle 1’
Artist Melle Smets and researcher Joost van Onna followed the trail of Europe’s discarded cars to capitalism’s periphery to learn about ‘System D’ or Système Débrouillardise, the capacity to be able to think on your feet, to adapt and to improvise in order to finish a job properly. In the Ghanaian neighbourhood of Suami Magazine, over 200,000 craftsmen recycle our discarded car scrap. Together with these resourceful craftsmen, Melle and Joost created a new, characteristic African car: the SMATI Turtle 1.
The SMATI Turtle 1 and the study into ‘System D’ provide insight into contemporary waste flows. Furthermore, they also make us question our modern manufacturing and working methods. The project tells us something about the search for efficiency and our institutionalised, hyper-specialised way of working. ‘System D’ is not an ideal system: it boils down to making do with the material and cultural means available to you.
In GARAGE D ‘SMATI Turtle 1’ Melle and Joost present their car and explain their research into ‘System D’. They will also be providing a programme which examines the similarities and differences between Suami Magazine and the demise of Detroit. In their garage they will also reflect on the future of the car as a digital capsule and its decline as a totem of personal property.
GARAGE D ‘SMATI Turtle 1 is part of the Work Songs programme curated by Monnik.
More information:
www.mellesmets.nl / www.setupshop.eu
SMATI Turtle 1 is a project of:
Stichting AARDSCHAP
Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organisation
Team exhibition Garage D:
Composition: Melle Smets (Artist Researcher)
Lectures programme: Joost van Onna (Criminologist Researcher)
Lectures by: Joost van Onna & Melle Smets
Video and Photography: Teun Vonk (Photographer)
Sound: Mat Wijn (Sound Designer)
De Turtle 1 is made possible by:
Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve industrie
Stichting Doen
Centrum Beeldende Kunst Rotterdam
Royal Burger group
Rijks Dienst voor het wegverkeer