Farewell to the Youth Bonus II 1984 - 1985

Curator: Right, let's talk about this slightly unnerving poster, "Farewell to the Youth Bonus II" by Martin Kippenberger. It's a promotional piece, I think, connected to a gallery show he did with A. Oehlen. What do you make of it? Editor: Well, my first thought is, it feels deliberately awkward. The two figures look like they've wandered in from different decades. There's a tangible sense of unease to it. Curator: Exactly! Kippenberger was masterful at skewering expectations, and often used his own image to explore ideas about artistic identity and failure. The infantile diaper is almost a sort of ironic joke, isn’t it? Editor: A joke perhaps aimed at the art world itself? This image, tied to a specific exhibition, seems to also ask larger questions about who gets rewarded, and for what. Curator: I think it certainly does, yes. A final, sardonic wink before the curtain falls on youth, and perhaps, a critique of the commodification of youth culture. Editor: Well, that's certainly given me a different perspective on this poster. Thanks for the insight!