Papenfuß was a learned electrician and sound and lighting technician.

After serving time in the East German army as a Bausoldat (construction soldier) he worked in theatre, first in Schwerin and from 1976 in Berlin.

He belonged to the literature scene of Prenzlauer Berg that developed in the late 1970s, and had been a freelance writer since 1980.

From 1999 to 2009 he was co-owner of the Kaffee Burger club (famous for Wladimir Kaminer's Russendisko), where he coordinated the cultural programme Salon Brückenkopf.

He was co-owner of the culture café Rumbalotte Contiua, which opened its doors on 17 September 2010.