Berlin-based artist Markus Mai’s (*1973) first solo exhibition focuses on the large-format, handwritten book object "IN VISIBLE. ERSTER BAND". Besides calligraphy and drawings it contains a documentation of writing and sculptural works from outdoor space. Around this an installation reminding of a research center completes the central work by experiments, findings and literature.

Since the 1980ies Markus Mai is interested in writing as an art form. While in his other book projects it was – as usual – carefully edited, rejected and revised, the process of "IN VISIBLE. ERSTER BAND " is more organically, immediately and unprettified. His writing, and the gesture of graffiti writing, from where it originates, becomes a vivid artistic process. The book only takes shape through inscribing it, just like in urban space things only become visible (again) by an inscription.

Graffiti writing without contradiction merges into writing on paper and vice versa. It’s a sway between outdoor action and reflection in the book, which becomes an active movement itself without denying its documentary and reflexive aspects. "IN VISIBLE. ERSTER BAND " overrides the usual contradictions between spontaneous movements of graffiti writing and the carefully considered – almost until the final phase modifiable – statements of published writing.

None of the works, in the book or in the gallery, is considered to be singular work. The artist is interested in the bipolar and progressive movement of action and reflection, seeing and transforming, succeeding and failing as an intangible essence of his work.