Martin Kippenberger | Utopia for Everyone

Die Mutter von Joseph Beuys, 1984 Oil on canvas, 160 x 133 cm Estate Martin Kippenberger Galerie Gisela Capitain, Cologne Provoking, difficult, and egotistical – Martin Kippenberger left many people with the distinct impression of an enfant terrible. Yet his multiple artistic output was more than just egocentricity – it also conveyed messages for humanity and a moral dimension. This is also the focus of the exhibition Model Martin Kippenberger. Utopia for Everyone at the Kunsthaus Graz. He sees the artist is understood both as a know-it-all and a do-gooder and he takes his razor-sharp insight into structures, power relationships and taboos thoroughly seriously. Kippenberger's view of an artist as a producer, curator and presenter, who takes a creative part in devising the society we live in, could be understood as a pragmatic continuation of the social sculpture of Joseph Beuys. It is with this in mind that the exhibition shows the Model Martin Kippenberger. Utopia for Everyone is a unique and forward looking model of artistic and social commitment placing the artist in a line-out with the exemplary great such as Joseph Beuys and Marcel Broodhaers. Die sympatische Kommunistin, 1983 Oil on canvas, 180 x 150 cm Estate Martin Kippenberger Galerie Gisela Capitain, Cologne

Kunsthaus Graz am Landesmuseum Joanneum Lendkai 1, A-8020 Graz Model Martin Kippenberger Utopia for Everyone 15.09.2007-06.01.2008 postmedia.net courtesy: Kunsthaus Graz

Archive: Martin Kippenberger - Psychobuildings