When can the exhibition Charles Ray at Fridericianum be seen?

The exhibition can be seen from August 22, 2026, to January 3, 2027.

How much is the admission fee?

The regular admission fee is 6 Euros, reduced 4 Euros. Admission is free on Wednesdays and for children and youths under 18.

When is Fridericianum open?

Fridericianum is open Tuesday to Sunday and on holidays from 11 AM to 6 PM. On Thursdays, extended hours apply until 8 PM.

Are there guided tours of the exhibition?

Fridericianum regularly offers public guided tours. The dates are published in the event calendar of the institution; the costs are included in the admission.

Is the exhibition suitable for children?

The exhibition contains depictions of nudity. For the work Oh! Charley, Charley, Charley..., Fridericianum recommends viewing from 16 years of age.

How can I reach Fridericianum?

Fridericianum is located at Friedrichsplatz in Kassel. The tram stop Friedrichsplatz is about 200 meters from the museum.

Charles Ray in Kassel: Rediscovering Sculpture, Body, and Space

Name: Charles Ray
Start: 2026-11-05T11:00:00+01:00
End: 2027-01-03T18:00:00+01:00
Location: Fridericianum

Charles Ray at Fridericianum: Sculpture Between Body, Space, and Art History

From August 22, 2026, to January 3, 2027, the Fridericianum in Kassel will showcase the first institutional solo exhibition of Charles Ray in Germany. The artist, born in 1953 in Chicago and living in Los Angeles, is considered one of the most significant sculptors of our time. His works combine technical precision, disconcerting familiarity, and a profound engagement with physicality, spirituality, and the history of sculpture.

When Sculpture Consists of Space

Charles Ray does not conceive of sculpture as a mere object, but as a spatial situation. His works investigate how body, material, scale, and architecture relate to each other. The weight of his works ranges from a few grams to nearly twenty tons. The exhibition makes this tension between apparent lightness and physical presence immediately perceptible.

Body Images Between Reality and Irritation

Ray's figurative sculptures appear familiar at first glance while simultaneously evading any quick categorization. Altered scales, monochromatic surfaces, and surprising constellations alter perception. Works such as School Play, Boy with Frog, Return to the One, and Clothes Pile illustrate how the artist recodes everyday forms, art historical models, and concepts of the human body.

Art Historical References and Contemporary Sculpture

Charles Ray operates between Minimal Art, figurative sculpture, and conceptual art. His works engage with classical image traditions and confront them with questions of identity, gender, norm, and societal perception. Influences from Greco-Roman sculpture, Auguste Rodin, and Alberto Giacometti meet a precise, often disconcertingly smooth material aesthetic.

An Artistic Experience in the Documenta City

After participating in documenta 9 in 1992, Charles Ray returns to Kassel. The generous spaces of the Fridericianum will serve as an active stage for the exhibition: light, distance, flooring, and sight lines shape the viewing of the works. The exhibition atmosphere invites visitors to slowly read forms and understand their own perception as part of the aesthetic experience.

Note for Exhibition Visitors

The exhibition contains depictions of nudity. The work Oh! Charley, Charley, Charley... also alludes to a virtual sexual act. The Fridericianum recommends viewing this work only from the age of 16.

Conclusion: Sculpture as a Physical and Mental Experience

Charles Ray offers an intense look at the possibilities of contemporary sculpture. Visitors can expect an exhibition that transforms space, unsettles familiar body images, and makes art history a living presence. Those who want to experience the effect of material, scale, and space directly should not miss this unique artistic experience at the Fridericianum.