Concept

-1998-

During his first solo institutional exhibition (at Portikus, a legendary Frankfurt exhibition space), the artist wrote his first book – in lieu of producing a monograph, as normally organized by the institution. At the time, Portikus was situated on the side of the old city library. Its name derives from the surviving portico of the library, which was destroyed during World War II.

Over the course of the exhibition’s six-week duration, Jankowski designed six different installations – drawing on writer’s genius loci, the atmosphere generated by an inspiring place. Each week the writing style of his book changed accordingly, and he started a new chapter. For »The Inner Voyage,« Jankowski decided to take different mind-altering substances; the exhibition space was

littered with empty beer cans, local dealers, and rolling papers as well as a cot and a recorder, in case he was incapable of sitting at his desk and writing. For »Writer on the Move,« Jankowski spent the week traveling around Frankfurt writing poems; he left the gallery empty and also left behind his poems, to be read aloud by a museum guard.

During matinee events every Sunday, Jankowski discussed his aesthetic venture with guests from the field of publishing – a literary agent, a publisher, a bookstore owner, a literary scholar, a critic, a distributor, and a graphic designer. He also included their conversations in the book. After the exhibition, the book was presented at Literaturhaus in Frankfurt.

Book

Book, edition of 1,000

Installation

Diverse objects: furniture, posters, books, manuscripts, etc.), unique. Installation view, Portikus, Frankfurt am Main