When can the exhibition be visited?

The exhibition runs from February 14, 2026, to July 19, 2026. Visits are possible during the regular opening hours of the Fridericianum.

How much is the admission fee?

The regular admission fee is 6 euros, reduced 4 euros. Admission is free on Wednesdays.

Are there tours and workshops?

Yes, the Fridericianum offers public tours as well as booked tours and workshops for groups, school classes, and children.

Is the museum accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes, the Fridericianum provides ramps, two elevators, accessible restrooms, and other assistance for visitors with disabilities.

How can I get to the Fridericianum?

The museum is located at Friedrichsplatz in Kassel, near the tram station Friedrichsplatz. Parking in a nearby parking garage is also available.

Are photos allowed to be taken in the exhibition?

There is no secure information available on this in the provided material. It is best to ask on-site at the ticket office or in the museum.

Catherine Opie showcases identity, protest, and poetic photography at the Fridericianum

Name: Catherine Opie: The pause that dreams against erasure
Start: 2026-04-19T13:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-07-19T20:00:00+02:00
Location: Fridericianum

Catherine Opie at the Fridericianum: An exhibition about identity, memory, and visibility

The Fridericianum presents Catherine Opie: The pause that dreams against erasure, the first institutional solo exhibition of the artist in Germany. The exhibition, developed specifically for the venue, unfolds an intense art experience between photographic precision, social analysis, and poetic spatial effect.

Photography as a reflection of an entire society

Since the early 1990s, Catherine Opie has developed a cross-media oeuvre comprising photography, film, art books, and installation. At the center are portraiture, landscape, and documentation as artistic forms that make social belonging, vulnerability, and self-conception visible. Her imagery combines the tradition of socially oriented photography with a contemporary, empathetic perspective.

Portraits, landscapes, and political spaces

The exhibition gathers more than 70 works from over three decades. Early portraits from LGBTQIA* communities encounter landscape images that open resonance spaces of perception for identity, hope, and trauma. In addition, documentary series related to Black Lives Matter and protest marches during Donald Trump's presidency are included. Thus, a reflection of works emerges where personal biography and collective history intertwine inseparably.

Dialogue with architecture and history

As a site-specific presentation, the exhibition aims at a dialogue with the historical building of the Fridericianum. Light, wall sequences, and sight lines enhance the focus on each individual image and shape the exhibition atmosphere. The curation makes it tangible how strongly Opie's works thrive on proximity, dignity, and societal urgency.

Cultural education and public value

The Fridericianum accompanies the exhibition with educational offerings, public tours, and workshops. Tailored formats are available for school groups, private groups, and children that deepen the access to photography, visual language, and contemporary art. This exhibition offers a rare insight into one of the most influential positions in contemporary art, especially for art enthusiasts, families, and educational institutions.

Conclusion: Those who want to experience photography as an aesthetic experience and social reflection will find an exhibition of great clarity and emotional depth here. Catherine Opie at the Fridericianum is a must-visit for all who want to not only see contemporary art but truly understand it.