Charles Ray Returns to Kassel for First German Institutional Solo at Fridericianum

Charles Ray will open his first institutional solo exhibition in Germany at the Fridericianum in Kassel, running August 22–January 3, 2027. The exhibition marks a return for the American sculptor to the city where he participated in documenta 9 in 1992.

Titled Charles Ray, the exhibition highlights his approach to sculpture, which examines perceptions of form, scale, and social reality. Ray's practice is characterized by a conceptual engagement, often reinterpreting classical forms with modern techniques and diverse materials.

The exhibition will feature works such as Aluminum Girl (2003) and School Play (2014), a large-scale figure in solid stainless steel. These pieces exemplify Ray's methodology, where, as he once stated "he doesn’t think about sculpture as much as he thinks sculpturally." His work explores the human form and its embodiment of social space-time, utilizing materials like machine-milled stainless steel to create surfaces that interact with light and environment. This presentation at one of Germany's oldest public museums underscores Ray's influence and his role in expanding the discourse around contemporary figurative sculpture.