Janek Simon

Zollskulptur

Biography

Janek Simon (born 1977) lives and works in Krakow. As visual artist he is interested mainly in doing interesting things, traveling to exotic places, having fun, and meeting nice people. Byproducts of these activities were shown, among others, in Manifesta 7, solo shows in Casino Luxembourg, Arnolfini, Zacheta, Zamek Ujazdowski, Bunkier Sztuki and numerous other venues and projects. Janek received the Spojrzenia prize in 2007. He co-runs a hobby institution called Goldex Poldex in Krakow.

Project: Zollskulptur

“The production budget will be spent on cigarettes in Poland. The cigarettes will be imported into Germany - it is allowed to bring in 40 boxes. Even with the EU customs union there are still some exceptions and regulations about what can be brought into a particular country. This is a case with taking cigarettes from Poland to Germany.  The cigarettes will arrive with Polish artists taking part in the project - I might also make few rounds to Poland and back (referencing the activity of "mrówki" - ants - people crossing the border there and back to bring in allowed amount of controlled goods - a popular sight on polish borders). The boxes will be assembled into a sculpture in Berlin. The sculpture will be installed on a structure resembling a market stand (a reference to "the suitcase trade" - early wild period of Polish capitalism). I will sit next to the stand and navigate different possible social interactions that can evolve from the situation. The question of what will happen with the sculpture after the show remains open.”

 

Actiuni relevante

KULTURFORUM | INSTALLATION | sâmbătă, 1.05.2010 | 13:00

Zollskulptur

Installation and Performance by Janek Simon