MARTIN KIPPENBERGER | Bibabeluna (Cola ist nicht Bluna)

Michel Würthle, Berlin
Hauser & Wirth, London
Private Collection, Geneva
Sotheby's, London, 15 October 2007, Lot 309
Acquired from the above sale by the present owner 

Geneva, Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain, Martin Kippenberger: Respektive 1997-1976, January - May 1997

Exh. Cat., London, Tate Modern, Martin Kippenberger, 2006, p. 38, fig. 12, illustrated in color 

This work is in excellent condition overall. There is evidence of minor wearing and handling to the edges. There is pulling and slight thinning to the fabric, noticeable along the edges of stitched fabric components. There is a small spot of surface accretion located above the orange central form approximately 20 inches from left edge. Under Ultraviolet light inspection, there is no evidence of restoration. Framed under Plexiglas.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

"In consideration of Martin Kippenberger's art, the viewer must not be too ashamed of him or herself to respond with ready, stereotype information to the artist's superficial queries. A badly painted picture doesn't need our approval, since it is really badly painted, ugly and embarrassing as well. Martin Kippenberger insists on leaving no room for interpretation in his work. Everything has manifesto character. From the very beginning, his pictures punish the viewer's expectation of pleasure and maintain their adamant stance: I am not beautiful, I'm badly painted on purpose, and yet, I'm there! Okay, dear viewer, what to do?" Burkhard Riemschneider in Angelika Muthesius Hrsg., Ed., Martin Kippenberger: Ten Years After, Berlin 1991, p. 12