Graphics I
- Artist: Martin Kippenberger
- Date: 1993
- Medium: Lithograph on paper
- Dimensions: image: 840 x 598 mm
- Museum: Tate Modern
- Collection record: Tate Modern website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the "Graphics I" by Martin Kippenberger, a 1993 lithograph on paper that doubles as a bold poster. It was created for an international graphic‑art exhibition in Innsbruck, Austria. The text is flipped upside‑down, reading “Es ist ein Segen, daß es uns gibt” – it’s a playful way of saying “It is a blessing that we exist.” Alongside the German line, a series of letters spell out the names of the countries represented, turning the poster into a kind of coded map. Kippenberger produced almost 200 posters over his career, using the medium to promote everything from exhibitions to parties, and this piece shows his knack for mixing humor, critique and visual punch. The simple black and white graphics keep the eye focused on the message, making the work both accessible and thought‑provoking.
See it in person
Graphics I is in the collection of Tate Modern on Bankside, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
