In 2024, Cologne-based artist Ivo Weber embarked on an extraordinary three-month journey along the Rhine, Neckar and Danube rivers, all the way to Romania. He set off from Cologne and walked and travelled 1,800 km to Cologne’s twin town, Cluj-Napoca, formerly known as Klausenburg. His mode of transport was an electric scooter, followed by a life-size donkey figure on a trailer. The artist acted as a ‘herald’ of art in public spaces, engaging with artworks and artists along his route. The project was accompanied by digital information about the route, the art venues visited and the encounters with art practitioners in the countries traversed, all of which were recorded in a digital diary and an archive. It was a performance of radical deceleration, of cross-border cultural dialogue and an exploration of art in public spaces.
The publication serves as a continuation of the project in terms of content. It not only documents the journey, but also reflects on key themes such as hospitality, art in public spaces, mobility and artistic practice. The book is multi-layered: alongside the archive of 60 messages and a description of the route, the authors provide in-depth insights into various aspects of the project. The book ensures the campaign’s lasting impact and makes the experiences, encounters and messages of the journey accessible to a wider public. For 37 years, the Kunststiftung NRW has been supporting old and new art across all disciplines with funds from WestLotto proceeds, based on the criterion of artistic quality. We were happy to support this campaign – which may seem bizarre at first glance – and its documentation, driven by our conviction.