Since 2022, Gallery 1 has been made available to organisations in temporary need of a space, with openness, respect and tolerance in mind. This is why the museum wanted to give wider visibility to XR Ghent’s need for action.
It is essential to raise people’s awareness of the seriousness and urgency of the climate crisis and to keep these issues on the agenda. Knowledge sharing and debate are important steps in this process.
When actions arise from Gallery 1, the museum needs to agree on their format. But if the space is used as a base to prepare an action that causes major traffic disruption, this is not something that S.M.A.K. wishes to facilitate.
The importance of XR Ghent’s struggle cannot be overemphasised. It is vital to engage in an open conversation if we want to make a difference in the climate crisis.
Philippe Van Cauteren
Directeur van S.M.A.K.
