Endlich 1,

1984

Becomes a founding member of the Lord Jim Lodge

Becomes a founding member of the artists' association Lord Jim Lodge; its organisers also included Jörg Schlick, Wolfgang Bauer and Albert Oehlen.

1984

Takes part in the exhibition “From Here” in Düsseldorf

In 1984 he takes part in the exhibition “From Here: Two Months of New German Art in Düsseldorf”.

1985

“Buying America and Selling El Salvador” at Metro Pictures

Exhibits at Metro Pictures in New York a large installation comprising numerous sculptural works. In this wild pile-up of objects and images he questions the notions of order, rationality and the need for unity.

1986

First museum exhibition in Darmstadt

His first museum exhibition takes place at the Hessisches Landesmuseum in Darmstadt. He will draw greater attention from institutions later, outside Germany.

1986

Buys the “Martin Bormann” gas station in Brazil

During a trip to Brazil he buys a gas station by the sea in Salvador de Bahia and renames it the Martin Bormann Gas Station. With this gesture Kippenberger gave Martin Bormann a camouflage address and the possibility of an income in exile; allegedly he even installed a telephone line, and employees were obliged to answer calls with “Tankstelle Martin Bormann”.

1988

Venice Biennale: “Street Lamp for Drunks”

Shows at the Venice Biennale “Laterne an Betrunkene” (“Street Lamp for Drunks”), the first of the lamp sculptures begun in 1988. The motif derives in part from the photographs in his 1988 artist's book “Psychobuildings”.