9 Exciting Exhibitions You Won’t Want to Miss in Cologne and Düsseldorf This Spring

The rival cities both have A-list shows on view.

Caroline Wells Chandler, Blue Wave (2018). Courtesy Choi & Lager Gallery.

When it comes to Germany’s arts hubs, Cologne and Düsseldorf may not spring to mind as readily as Berlin, but the two cities—which are less than an hour apart, and have been fierce rivals for centuries in everything from ice hockey to carnival parades—both have flourishing gallery scenes that are quickly catching the attention of the international art world.

This spring, gallery shows are popping up in each town featuring artists such as Mark Dion, Katherine Bernhardt, Antoni Tàpies, and others. But before you choose a side, here are nine exhibitions to check out.

Gerhard Richter, Firenze (2000). Courtesy Galerie Ludorff.

Gerhard Richter, Firenze (2000). Courtesy Galerie Ludorff.

Exhibition: “New Acquisitions 2019

When: Through November 1, 2019

Where: Galerie Ludorff, Königsallee 22 III, Düsseldorf

Oliver Abraham, Angela Davis, civil rights movement activist, philosopher, 24.6.2018 (2018).

Oliver Abraham, Angela Davis, civil rights movement activist, philosopher, 24.6.2018 (2018). Courtesy Galerie Julian Sander.

Exhibition: “Oliver Abraham: Freedom Of Speech

When: Through June 15, 2019

Where: Galerie Julian Sander, Cäcilienstraße 48, Cologne

Installation view "Otto Piene: Lichtballett,” 2019. Courtesy of Martina Kaiser.

Installation view “Otto Piene: Lichtballett,” 2019. Courtesy of Martina Kaiser.

Exhibition: “Otto Piene: Lichtballett

When: Through April 14, 2019

Where: Martina Kaiser, Bismarckstraße 50, Cologne

Katherine Bernhardt, Untitled (2018). Courtesy Choi & Lager Gallery.

Katherine Bernhardt, Untitled (2018). Courtesy Choi & Lager Gallery.

Exhibition: “Girl Meets Girl: Katherine Bernhardt, Katherine Bradford, Caroline Wells Chandler, Rose Wylie

When: Through April 28, 2019

Where:  Choi & Lager Gallery, Wormserstrasse 23, Cologne

Installation view "Crimson," 2019. Courtesy Galerie Christian Lethert.

Installation view “Crimson,” 2019. Courtesy Galerie Christian Lethert.

Exhibition: Crimson

When: April 12June 28, 2019

Where:  Galerie Christian Lethert, Antwerpener Straße 52, Cologne

Mark Dion, Memory Box (detail) (2016). Courtesy Nagel Draxler.

Mark Dion, Memory Box (detail) (2016). Courtesy Nagel Draxler.

Exhibition: “Mark Dion: To Watch, to Cut, to Capture, to Kill, to Collect”

When: Through June 29, 2019

Where:  Nagel Draxler, Elisenstraße 4-6, Cologne

Installation view “25 Years Of Passion," 2019. Courtesy Beck & Eggeling.

Installation view “25 Years Of Passion,” 2019. Courtesy Beck & Eggeling.

Exhibition: 25 Years Of Passion

When: Through May 11, 2019

Where: Beck & Eggeling, Bilker Straße 5 and 4-6, Düsseldorf

Antoni Tàpies, Tres draps (2001). Courtesy Galerie Boisserée.

Antoni Tàpies, Tres draps (2001). Courtesy Galerie Boisserée.

Exhibition: “Antoni Tàpies: Hommage An Die Materie

When: Through May 4, 2019

Where: Galerie Boisseree, Drususgasse 7-11, Cologne

Installation view “Monstera: I'm Sitting On The Edge Of My Eye,” 2019. Courtesy Setareh Gallery.

Installation view “Monstera: I’m Sitting On The Edge Of My Eye,” 2019. Courtesy Setareh Gallery.

Exhibition: Monstera: I’m Sitting On The Edge Of My Eye

When: Through April 27, 2019

Where: Setareh Gallery, Königsallee 27-31, Düsseldorf


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