Concept

-2007-

Barcelona’s bustling Las Ramblas is filled with street performers mimicking bronze sculptures, standing motionless in metallic paint to entertain tourists. Jankowski selected three: Che Guevara, Julius Caesar, and the female figure from Salvador Dalí’s Anthropomorphic Chest of Drawers. With a foundry’s help, he created life-size bronze casts of these figures, placing them back at their original origins.

These Living Sculptures were later exhibited in diverse locations—public parks, town halls, sculpture gardens, and galleries—gaining rich symbolic and political meanings. For instance, Guevara in a busy square prompts thoughts on revolution, while in a gallery, he raises questions of commodification and artistic critique. The exhibition at Schloss Schwante marked a significant shift; here, the sculptures were presented in a historic context that conferred formality and permanence, contrasting their origins as street performances. This setting encourages viewers to reconsider their meanings: is Che a tribute to revolutionary ideals or simply a nod to a street performer? The move to Schloss Schwante deepens the dialogue surrounding each figure, underscoring how context transforms artistic interpretation.

Spectators play a crucial role in activating the Living Sculptures, breathing life into the bronze forms. Engaging with these figures—taking photos, tossing coins, or reflecting on their significance—turns them into a shared experience. This interaction reveals contemporary attitudes towards icons of revolution, power, and artistic expression. By straddling the line between high art and street performance, Jankowski’s figures also intersect with pop art, echoing the movement’s fascination with recognizable cultural icons.

Sculpture