Martin Kippenberger | Luhring Augustine

I Had A Vision, Luhring Augustine's current exhibit of sculptural work by Martin Kippenberger (1953-1997) combines pieces from two of the artist's shows from 1991—the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art's New Work (Put Your Eye In Your Mouth) and Vienna's Martin Kippenberger. Tiefes Kehlchen (Deep Throat) which took place in an unused subway tunnel. Kippenberger's "vision" seems to have been quite irreverent, humorous, and odd as evidenced by the works on view.

The three Kippenblinky lamps on display are ornate, working floor lamps made from a pedestal, bar, lightbulb, casting resin, and smoking utensils. Mirror for Hang Over Bud is a series of three wall mirrors that have a blurry, aluminum foil center instead of a clear, reflective glass. Heavy Burschi (Heavy Lad) consists of a dumpster loaded with destroyed paintings—recreations of Kippenberger's paintings that the artist requested an assistant make only to be destroyed by the artist later. Large-scale photographs of the pre-destructed paintings hang around the dumpster juxtaposing the before and after of the works.

Untitled (Carousel with ejection seat) is a colorful, circular train track carrying a motorized seat. Originally exhibited at his San Francisco show, the work transported visitors in a loop allowing them to view the exhibtion that was displayed in a circle. An untitled work from 1991 features a ghostly, resin-cast figure of the artist dressed in a jacket and tie riding a sort of Rascal scooter on a ramp. According to the show's press release, these two works reflect the artist's transient lifestyle—frequently relocating like a "'traveling salesman' dealing in ideas" as the artist described himself.

While the works in I Had A Vision play on the theme of seeing, Kippenberger's own vision was clearly unique, playful, and unconventional. Learn more at Luhringaugustine.com and see my earlier post on Kippenberger's exhibit Eggman II at Skarstedt Gallery. Through June 18th.

Clockwise from front: Kippenblinky (lamps), 1991; Untitled (on electromobile), 1991; Mirror for Hang-over Bud, 1990; Broken Kilometer, 1990; Untitled (Wallpaper), 1991