Polytexte. The Words Meet The Objects,

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”.

1989

Works with Jeff Koons on an issue of Parkett

Works together with Jeff Koons on an issue of the art journal Parkett; the following year Koons designs an exhibition poster for Kippenberger.

late 1989

Moves to Los Angeles and buys a share in a restaurant

After moving to Los Angeles in late 1989 he buys a 35% share in the Italian restaurant Capri in Venice, Los Angeles.