Nobody’s Memory by Mihai Smeu
Hosted for residency in Bucharest, 2024

Nobody’s Memory by Mihai Smeu Slon 2024

Nobody’s Memory by Mihai Smeu

 

Mihai Smeu, an emerging Romanian photographer and videographer, explores the boundary between documentary and fiction, capturing layered human experiences. With a background in photography and film from the National University of Arts in Bucharest, Mihai has honed both technical skill and an aesthetic that traverses the real and the imagined. His recent projects, such as Boxes of Death & Spirituality and Untitled (2021), reflect his commitment to this delicate balance, blending abstract and physio-morphic elements to explore life’s complexities. Mihai describes his approach as drawing on “indirect memories,” observing that “every artist cites memories more or less distantly.”

During his residency with Magic Carpets in Slon, Mihai immersed himself in the local community, organising creative workshops for the village’s children. Here, he shared his passion for photography, guiding the children in creating double-exposure self-portraits that incorporated personal items, producing compositions that highlighted their individuality and inspired their creativity. These workshops have become a key element of the Magic Carpets residency in Slon, giving young participants the opportunity to learn from dedicated artists.

Over the years, Mihai has returned annually to Slon, documenting various projects developed within the Magic Carpets residency. Each visit has provided new insights into both the community and the landscape, deepening his understanding of the area. This year, alongside his documentation work, Mihai embarked on a personal project, Nobody’s Memory, reflecting on the transformations he has witnessed over time.

In Nobody’s Memory, Mihai examines the tension between the ever-evolving human environment and the timelessness of nature. The work captures the delicate balance between serene landscapes and stories that reveal gradual shifts in the natural world, inviting viewers to consider what remains unchanged in the face of relentless modern change. The project continues themes explored in his earlier work, especially The Man That Went Back into the Forest (2021), a narrative about a solitary traveller who loses his way on a mysterious path. Like its protagonist, Mihai encourages viewers to reflect on their own journeys and relationships with the past.

Through Nobody’s Memory and his engagement with the Slon community, Mihai delves into the dynamics of change and permanence, exploring the profound link between people and nature. His time in Slon has deepened his reflections on movement and transformation, resulting in a piece that honours the cultural rhythm of the area. This work bridges local heritage with Mihai’s evolving artistic perspective, inviting viewers to contemplate the ties between individuals and the spaces they inhabit.

In his approach, Mihai emphasises the beauty and fragility of nature, illustrating how its slow rhythm contrasts with the accelerated pace of human-altered landscapes. Nobody’s Memory presents a personal vision of human relationships and the passage of time, drawing attention to the value of preserving memories and connections. This approach moves beyond visuality to explore the emotions born of connecting with place and people, making Nobody’s Memory a reflective meditation on identity and continuity amidst inevitable change.

Artist: Mihai Smeu (Bucharest, Romania)
Residency Host: META Cultural Foundation (Slon village, Prahova County, Romania)
Practice: Visual artist (photographer and videographer)
Collaborating Artists: Charlie Cauchi, Anastasiya Ivanova, Ruxandra Nițescu
Curated by: Raluca-Elena Doroftei

 

Curatorial text by Raluca-Elena Doroftei