28.07.–16.09.2001

Jason Rhoades (b. 1965) plans to install a production facility at Portikus for a Kevin Costner Essence which he developed, the "Gardenia alla Potpourri". Comprised of various ingredients such as oil, vinegar, onions, garlic, carrots, salt and water, a mixture is to be produced in an automated process, which - in a type of centrifuge - will be exposed to the entire oeuvre of the actor Kevin Costner. Afterwards, the bottles will be labeled and packaged, and in the end ideally form an autonomous sculpture, the "One Thousand Gallon Wall". In this installation, the exhibition space, the visitors, as well as the artist and his assistants, who will be in charge of the individual steps of the preparation, are to become part of a "perfect work process", which the artist understands as "action object". It is more than just expounding the artistic work process in an ironic way; the issue in Rhoades' works is, time and time again, the mise-en-scène of an only seemingly purposeful system, which can be taken up by the viewer.

With his exhibition project at Portikus, Jason Rhoades concludes his one-year visiting professorship at the Hochschule für bildende Künste - Städelschule.