Must-See Art Guide: Cologne

Whether it’s American politics or the buzz around the Supermoon, it’s probably time to take a break away from all the uproar dominating our conversations on this side of the Atlantic and turn our attention towards good old Europe for a moment. Art enthusiasts, let’s focus on the fourth-largest city in Germany: Cologne. Host to more than 30 museums and hundreds of galleries, it’s always the perfect art getaway—now more than ever this week with the arrival of the Cologne Fine Art, which will feature highlights of all epochs of art and design history. This historic fair was founded in the 1970s, and today it’s sure to catch some of the wave of success established by Paris Photo last week.

Discover what else the city has to offer and clear your head. Start your gallery tour with a unique selection of Georg Baselitz’s works from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, or enjoy two exhibitions for the price of one featuring Candida Höfer and Lee Friedlander. Feel more like exploring the museums of the city? 25 international artists, including Ai Weiwei, the Guerrilla Girls, and Claes Oldenburg, are on display at the Museum Ludwig’s current show, “We Call It Ludwig.” Sounds like a plan, Cologne!

Guerrilla Girls, Do Women Have to Be Naked to Get into the Met. Museum? (1989). Courtesy of Museum Ludwig, Guerrilla Girls, guerrillagirls.com.

Exhibition: “We Call it Ludwig”
When: August 27, 2016–January 8, 2017
Where: Museum Ludwig, Heinrich-Böll-Platz, Cologne, Germany

Magdi Mostafa, Installation view. Courtesy of Galerie Brigitte Schenk.

Exhibition: “Magdi Mostafa: Paradise Extract”
When: September 3, 2016–January 15, 2017
Where: Galerie Brigitte Schenk, Albertusstraße 26, Cologne, Germany

Alfredo Srur, Isra’s birthday (2004). Courtesy of Galerie Julian Sander.

Exhibition: “Alfredo Srur: Heridas”
When: October 22–December 17, 2016
Where: Galerie Julian Sander, Cäcilienstraße 48, Cologne, Germany

Nelleke Beltjens and Natascha Schmitten, Installation view. Courtesy of Galerie Christian Lethert.

Exhibition: “Nelleke Beltjens | Natascha Schmitten: Worlds Within”
When: October 28–December 17, 2016
Where: Galerie Christian Lethert, Antwerpener Straße 4, Cologne, Germany

Michael Krebber, Untitled (Flat Finish 2) (2016). Courtesy of Galerie Buchholz.

Exhibition: “Michael Krebber: Flat Finish”
When: January 11–December 23, 2016
Where: Galerie Buchholz, Neven-DuMont Straße 17, Cologne, Germany

Georg Baselitz, Installation View. Courtesy of Michael Werner Kunsthandel.

Exhibition: “Georg Baselitz: Bild und Zeichnung”
When: November 5, 2016–January 14, 2017
Where: Michael Werner Kunsthandel, Gertrudenstraße 24-28, Cologne, Germany

Linda Karshan, Installation view. Courtesy of Galerie Werner Klein.

Exhibition: “Linda Karshan: Intensity – Drawings and Prints”
When: November 12–December 10, 2016
Where: Galerie Werner Klein, Volksgartenstraße 10, Cologne, Germany

Installation view. Courtesy of Berthold Pott.

Exhibition: “Hello!!”
When: November 12–December 17, 2016
Where: Berthold Pott, An der Schanz 1 a, Cologne, Germany

Art Fair: “Cologne Fine Art”
When: November 17–20, 2016
Where: Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, Cologne, Germany

Candida Höfer, Tables (2016). Courtesy of Galerie Thomas Zander.

Lee Friedlander, Seattle (1967). Courtesy of Galerie Thomas Zander.

Exhibition: “Candida Höfer Observations” & “Lee Friedlander Street – The Human Clay”
When: November 19, 2016–February 4, 2017
Where: Galerie Thomas Zander, Schönhauser Straße 8, Cologne, Germany