• Exhibition "Harlem on my Mind: I was, I am" von Charif Benhelima continues from February 5 until March 19, 2011
• Showroom "Like a hurricane (you are like)" von Joris Van de Moortel is open until March 19, 2011

Belgium is a monarchy, the past three years a country without a government, and the heart of the European Union. Moreover, it is a cradle of surrealism and home for astonishingly high number of good artists and collectors. Perhaps Belgians don’t need governments – perhaps their hearts are meant for freedom and surrealism.

Until recently, Michael Janssen Gallery has mainly focused on emerging German and American artists. Now the gallerist has found deep affinity with the wit and humour of Belgian artists, sais the gallery assistant. On display at the gallery for the moment are two different generations: the exhibition of photo artist Charif Benhelima (b. 1967) and the residues of the project by Joris Van de Moortel (b. 1983) , a graduate of HISK (Higher Institute for Fine Arts, Ghent, Belgium).

Charif Benhelima’s exhibition shows different large mostly red coloured photographs of run down Harlem of the 21st century. Harlem On My Mind was a controversial exhibition about "the cultural capital of Black America, 1900-1968", at the Metropolitan Museum in 1969.

Joris Van de Moortel’s sculptures are partially residues from his exhibition in December 2010. His work is trashy and the video on display from the rock performance on 9. December is too silent. The title refers to a song by Neil Young.

Next Belgian artist showing at the gallery is Lili Dujourie (b.1941), opening on Friday, April 29, 2011.

Adresse: Galerie Michael Janssen, Rudi-Dutschke-Str. 26 (formerly Kochstr. 60), D-10969 Berlin, http://www.galeriemichaeljanssen.de