Christian Jankowski

By utilising the medium of human relationships, the comedic slapstick humour of Formulae, or indeed any of the other innumerable tools of modern communication available, Christian Jankowski trades blows with history, politics and the language of art. His works are almost always 'performances' – both literally and figuratively – in so far as his carefully calibrated set-ups and interactive scenarios engage occasionally unsuspecting collaborators: televangelists, fortune-tellers, border guards and professional magicians have all innocently colluded with him to become 'co-authors' of his wide-ranging work. The collaborative nature of Jankowski's practice is paramount, as each participant often unwittingly contributes his or her own texture to the story. There is as much emphasis on the journey as the destination, and the risks and chances inherent in Jankowski's collaborations ultimately give surprising shape to the final works, whether these are photographs, paintings, sculptures or video installations. By foraging for food in a supermarket with a bow and arrow (The Hunt, 1992), renovating an exhibition space under the auspices of a reality TV show format (The Perfect Gallery, 2010) or selling a souped-up speedboat as a work of art at an art fair (The Finest Art on Water, 2011), Jankowski proves that he is not frightened to turn the camera, canvas or microphone back on himself. His playful and far-reaching projects tug at the very fabric of society itself, querying many notions of authorship, ownership, originality, propriety and authenticity that might otherwise be taken for granted.

Christian Jankowski lives and works in Berlin. He was born in 1968 in Göttingen, Germany and studied at the Academy of Fine Arts, Hamburg, Germany. Recent solo exhibitions include Galeria Hit, Bratislava, Slovakia (2017); Haus am Lütowplatz, Berlin, Germany (2016), Kunsthaus Hamburg, Germany (2015), Center for Contemporary Art, Ujazdowski Castle, Warsaw, Poland (2013); Sala de Arte Publico Siqueiros, Mexico City, Mexico (2012); MACRO, Rome, Italy (2012); Nassauischer Kunstverein Wiesbaden, Germany (2009); Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany (2008); Miami Art Museum, FL, USA (2007); MIT List Visual Art Center, Cambridge, MA, USA (2005); Swiss Institute, New York, NY, USA (2001) and the Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT, USA (2000). He has participated in numerous group exhibitions Including 'Autogestion', Joan Miró Foundation, Barcelona, Spain (2016); ‘When I Give, I Give Myself’, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2015); Project Los Altos (off-site show in Silicon Valley, staged by San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, CA, USA, 2013); Taipei Biennial, Taiwan (2010); Sydney Biennial, Australia (2010); the Whitney Biennial, New York, NY, USA (2002) and the Venice Biennale (2013 and 1999). In 2016, Jankowski curated the 11th edition of Manifesta, becoming the first artist to assume the role.

Christian Jankowski
I love the art! from the series „Visitors”

2014
Neon sculpture 200 x 120 cm 78.7 x 47.2 in.

Christian Jankowski
Wow! from the series „Visitors”

2013
Neon sculpture 230 x 212 cm 90.6 x 83.5 in.

Christian Jankowski
Heavy Weight History (Willy Brandt)

2013
Black & white photograph on baryt paper 140 x 186.8 cm 55 x 73 1/2 in.

Christian Jankowski
Heavy Weight History (Ronald Reagan)

2013
Black & white photograph on baryt paper 140 x 186.8 cm 187. 55 x 73 1/2 in.

Christian Jankowski
Casting Jesus (”Take it easy, it’s the first round”) #1

2011
Two C-prints mounted on cardboard, titled and signed, recto Framed: 39.5 x 27 cm Framed: 15.5 x 10.5 in.

Christian Jankowski
Crying for the March of Humanity

2012
Video (1x HD Cam, 1x Blu-ray) 26 min., NTSC, 16:9, colour, sound Dimensions variable

Christian Jankowski
Casting Jesus

2011
Dual channel video projection 60 minutes

Christian Jankowski
Casting Jesus (”He is wrong because he is not suffering”) #18

2011
Two C-prints mounted on cardboard, titled and signed, recto Framed: 39.5 x 27 cm Framed: 15.5 x 10.5 in.

Christian Jankowski
Rooftop Routine

2008
DVD Duration: 4 minutes 30 seconds

Christian Jankowski
Casting Jesus (”For me it’s him...and five and seven”) #4

2011
Two C-prints mounted on cardboard, titled and signed, recto Framed: 39.5 x 27 cm Framed: 15.5 x 10.5 in.

Christian Jankowski
Dali Woman

2007
Bronze 220 x 90 x 80 cm 87 x 35 1/2 x 31 1/2 in.

Christian Jankowski
Strip the Auctioneer

2009
Single channel video

Christian Jankowski
Caeser

2007
Bronze 215 x 90 x 90 cm 85 x 35 1/2 x 35 1/2 in.

Christian Jankowski
El Che

2007
Bronze 225 x 85 x 80 cm 88 1/2 x 33 1/2 x 31 1/2 in.

Christian Jankowski
Lycan Theorized

2006
Film and mixed media Dimensions variable

Christian Jankowski
Angels of Revenge (Butcher)

2006
Diptych: photograph 100 x 75 cm each 39 x 29 1/2 in. each

Christian Jankowski
Angels of Revenge (Butcher)

2006
Diptych: photograph 100 x 75 cm each 39 x 29 1/2 in. each

Christian Jankowski
A Life That Changes Your Week

2005
Framed photographs and texts 31 x 47 cm / 12 x 18.5 in. (12 works approx.) 21.5 x 31.5 cm / 8.5 x 12.5 in. (28 works approx.)

Christian Jankowski
16mm Mystery

2004
Single screen DVD projection / 35mm film projection Dimensions variable

Christian Jankowski
Hollywoodschnee

2004
Film and single screen DVD projection 16mm colour film Duration: 12 minutes

Christian Jankowski
Talk Athens

2003
DVD projection DVD player, plasma screen (4:3 ratio) Duration: 23 minutes 54 seconds

Christian Jankowski
Bravo Jankowski!

2003
DVD, plasma screen (4:3 ratio), record player, headphones, amplifier, ‘Bravo Jankowski’ album by Horst Jankowski Dimensions variable

Christian Jankowski
The Holy Artwork

2001
Television broadcast, performance and colour DVD Duration: 15 minutes 52 seconds

Christian Jankowski
Flock

2002
DVD and five silkscreen posters Framed dimensions: 91 x 72 x 3cm / 36 x 28 x 1 in. Duration: 12 minutes 15 seconds

Christian Jankowski
Telemistica

1999
Single channel DVD projection Duration: 22 minutes Dimensions variable

Christian Jankowski
The Hunt

1992/1997
Single channel video Duration: 1 minute 11 seconds Dimensions variable

Christian Jankowski

Exhibitions