When does the exhibition take place?

The event is scheduled for May 26, 2026, starting at 11:00 AM.

Where can the exhibition be seen?

At the Fridericianum at Friedrichsplatz 18 in Kassel.

How much is the admission fee?

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

Is the Fridericianum accessible?

Yes, the building offers barrier-free access, reduced admission for people with disabilities, and allows assistance dogs.

Are there guided tours?

Yes, Fridericianum regularly offers public tours. The costs are included in the admission fee.

What themes shape the exhibition?

The focus is on portrait photography, queer visibility, landscape, protest, memory, and social responsibility.

Catherine Opie presents a powerful visual world against forgetting at the Fridericianum

Name: Catherine Opie – The pause that dreams against erasure
Start: 2026-05-26T13:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-05-26T20:00:00+02:00
Location: Fridericianum

Catherine Opie at Fridericianum: Photography as Poetic Resistance

With The pause that dreams against erasure, Fridericianum presents the first institutional solo exhibition of Catherine Opie in Germany. The presentation, developed specifically for Kassel, unfolds a multifaceted art experience between portrait, landscape, protest, and memory – precisely conceived for the historical architecture of the building.

A Space for Identity, Community, and Visibility

Opie has been one of the most influential voices in contemporary photography since the early 1990s. Her works connect social observation with formal rigor, intimate closeness with political clarity. Early portraits from LGBTQI* contexts mark the beginning of an artistic practice that makes marginalized realities visible with dignity, precision, and great empathy.

Between Portrait and Landscape

The exhibition brings together body of work from over three decades. In addition to iconic photographs, series focusing on landscape are highlighted, reading landscape not as a backdrop but as a resonance space for identity, hope, and trauma. Opie's images create a unique exhibition atmosphere: Light, space, and composition open the view to what often eludes societal grasp.

Political Imagery with Historical Depth

Documentations of movements such as Black Lives Matter and protest marches against Donald Trump also show how closely Opie's work is connected to questions of participation, body, public space, and democratic negotiation. Her photography links to the socially oriented image tradition of the 20th century and translates it into a precise contemporary language. Complemented by films, art books, and installations, an extraordinarily intellectually dense body of work emerges.

The Fridericianum as Resonance Space

The exhibition architecture at Fridericianum enhances this effect. The historic building, one of the oldest public museums in Europe, provides the ideal framework for contemplating a body of work where art history and the present meet productively. The dialogue between space, image, and audience shapes the entire art experience.

Conclusion

The pause that dreams against erasure is more than a photography exhibition: It is a compelling invitation to reconsider visibility, memory, and social responsibility. Anyone wishing to experience contemporary art with depth, conviction, and aesthetic power should definitely visit this exhibition at Fridericianum live.