Concept

-2008-

Following an invitation from the contemporary art fair Art Cologne, Jankowski organized an unusual sales experiment relating to the art market and the fair. His inspiration came from the world of home shopping – and so did the two moderators (one of whom works for QVC) who were present at a booth during the fair, selling works by Franz West, Vanessa Beecroft, Liam Gillick, and Jeff Koons, among others. While one moderator provided sex appeal, enthusiasm, and basic sales facts about the works, the other served as the art expert, introduced viewers to the artists’ conceptual frameworks, and glorified them (for example, »Millions of people come to see what [Vanessa Beecroft] does.«) In addition, the moderators commented on practicalities like the high quality of the works’ frames and how easily they could be attached to the wall. All the works could be bought during the broadcast via telephone hotline, from the comfort of home, or right in the broadcast studio – meaning Art Cologne.
In fact, the last work for sale was the spectacle itself, which would later be edited into a video work by Jankowski. »Buy now! The first in an edition of five! 45 minutes long! 20,000 euros!«

Video