When is the exhibition on display?

The exhibition runs from February 14, 2026, to July 19, 2026, at the Fridericianum in Kassel.

How much is the admission?

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

Are there guided tours?

Yes, public tours take place regularly. The costs are included in the admission price.

Is the Fridericianum barrier-free?

Yes, access to the exhibition spaces is possible via an outside ramp and two elevators. There are barrier-free restrooms and loaner stools.

How do I get to the museum by public transport?

The Fridericianum is located near the Friedrichsplatz stop. It can be reached with lines 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8.

What educational offerings are there for children and groups?

The Fridericianum offers studio workshops, booked tours, and workshops for groups, as well as educational offerings for school classes.

Catherine Opie at Fridericianum: Photography, visibility, and political memory

Name: Catherine Opie – The pause that dreams against erasure
Start: 2026-05-14T13:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-07-19T20:00:00+02:00
Location: Fridericianum

Catherine Opie at Fridericianum: Photography as a testimony of visibility and memory

The Fridericianum showcases The pause that dreams against erasure, the first institutional solo exhibition of Catherine Opie in Germany. The presentation developed specifically for the venue brings photographs, films, art books, and installations into an intense dialogue with the architecture and history of the historic museum.

An artistic experience between portrait, landscape, and political presence

Opie has been working since the early 1990s on a visual language that does not merely document social reality but condenses it aesthetically. Her art connects the tradition of socially oriented photography with a precise, poetic language of the present. Earlier portraits from LGBTQIA* communities, landscape series as resonance spaces for identity, and documentations of Black Lives Matter and protest marches under Donald Trump showcase an artist who understands visibility as a cultural and political task.

The power of the series

The exhibition brings together key bodies of work from over three decades. From the interplay of intimate portraits, quiet spaces, and public action emerges a dynamic panorama of the present. Opie's images tell of bodies, communities, and political struggles without tipping into clichéd simplifications. It is precisely in this that her authority lies: in the balance of documentary precision, formal clarity, and emotional depth.

Architecture as a counterpart

The Fridericianum becomes not just a container but a participant. The brightness of the spaces, the historical aura of the building, and the curatorial setting allow the works to breathe differently. Those who enter the exhibition experience a concentrated exhibition atmosphere where light, sightlines, and materiality deepen the contemplation of the works. Thus, a place of aesthetic experience is created, where photography, space, and memory intertwine.

Education, tours, and outreach

The Fridericianum complements the exhibition with public tours and educational offers for diverse target groups. Access points that link art history, contemporary art, and social issues are created for schools, groups, and families. This opens a lively approach to photography, curation, and cultural education especially for art-interested visitors.

Conclusion

Catherine Opie – The pause that dreams against erasure is one of the most impressive exhibitions of the year in Kassel. Those interested in contemporary photography, queer history, political imagery, and museum spatial effects will find an extraordinarily rich artistic experience here. A visit to the Fridericianum is definitely worth it live.