MIDNIGHT CHECKOUT AT CHELSEA HOTEL, 1987 Martin Kippenberger

In January 1987, on assignment for a city report in the magazine TEMPO, I had a photo appointment with the artist Martin Kippenberger in Cologne. At the time he was living at Hotel Chelsea — and that’s exactly where he wanted to be photographed. I was only 24 and had no idea how iconic a figure I was about to portray.

I suggested photographing him outside the hotel, wrapped in a sheet — almost like a ghost. He thought that was silly and said a pillow would do just fine. Beforehand, there was of course a beer or two at Café Central. It still looks exactly the same today.

This spontaneous shoot is now among the early portraits that reveal Steffen’s unmistakable eye for artists.

⸻

Limited Edition – Fine Art Print

Size:
45 × 60 cm (17.72 × 23.62 in) — Edition: 25 + 2 A.P.

1) Print Only – Fine Art Print

Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle FineArt Baryta
1 cm white border
Delivered unframed

2) Framed – Passepartout Frame with Museum Glass

• Fine art print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag

• Mounted in white passepartout with museum glass (smooth surface)

• Image size: 40 × 52.9 cm

• Outer frame size: 51.7 × 64.6 cm

• Frame: Dark brown wood

• Ready to hang (hanging system included)