Language, identity, memory and origin are also key words in his practice. The series fig. a, a comme alphabet (ayppenkeem) (2009-2017) comprises a succession of lists penned by the artist with letters and words in Armenian. By capturing this moment of learning, he refers to the loss of his mother tongue, an experience familiar to many migrants – and especially the Armenians of the diaspora. Garabedian also frequently works with references and quotes from writers and other artists, such as Félix González-Torres or Marcel Broodthaers. The latter, in particular, is an important point of reference in his work, to whom he also nods with the title of this series.
