Martin Kippenberger
Untitled
1974
A collection of approx. 25 handwritten letters (84 sheets, some inscribed on both sides), 22 envelopes and 4 postcards, with illustrations, small sketches and (photo) collages. Majority in blue, red and black fineliner of ballpoint pen. Sheet size approx. 20.5 x 15 to 29.5 x 21 cm, mostly in blue, red and black fineliner or biros. Sheet sizes approx. 20.5 x 15 to 29.5 x 21 cm, mostly on lined or squared ring binder paper, one sketch on tissue paper, one letter on a Mitropa laundry stock certificate, another on the verso of a photocopy of Kippenberger's face.
In addition, approx. 35 photos or copies of photos - almost exclusively portraits of the artist - partly annotated and glued to A4 sheets. All documents arranged or mounted in 124 transparent pockets and filed in Leitz folders. All sheets and envelopes punched (some loss of lettering to letters).. - Traces of use.
Comprehensive documentation of a very early, hitherto hardly known phase in the life of Kippenberger, who studied until the mid-1970s at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Hamburg, before he moved to Florence. The style of the letters is mostly brief, associative and at times disjointed – similar to diary entries. Alongside his work, Kippenberger is primarily engaged with himself, his environment, friendships and love affairs. In the course of this, he tries to define his relationship with Cornelia (an art educator thirteen years his elder), whom he met at a family celebration: “You are the knot in the handkerchief that reminds me of something …”. Several passages deal with his dental and jaw surgeries which play a role in his later work. The sketches and drawings mostly in the form of cartoons, with irony, wordplay, and references to his living conditions.
Kippenberger’s own handwritten artist’s letters are of great rarity – such a comprehensive group of letters by the artist has not yet been seen on the market.
An exact dating is largely not possible. All writings are said to date from 1974.
Provenance
Private property, Rhineland Palatinate