Exhibition ‘Die Zeit hat kein Zentrum – Works from the art collection Ulrike Crespo’
Open Space
Weißfrauenstraße 1—3
60311 Frankfurt
free
One statement you often read at exhibition openings is “The artist is present,” but this show could easily amend it to “The collector is present”: after all, Ulrike Crespo (1950–2019) is present in every single one of the works in her collection.
The exhibition ‘Die Zeit hat kein Zentrum – Werke aus der Kunstsammlung Ulrike Crespo’ (Time Has No Centre – Works from the art collection Ulrike Crespo) opens on Thursday, 23 October 2025.
The show is the first to present around 120 works from Ulrike Crespo’s private collection, which encompasses painting, photography, works on paper, sculptures and even a video installation. It highlights the qualities of specific groups of works as well as the strengths of individual pieces.
While Ulrike Crespo may have inherited a passion for collecting from her grandfather Karl Ströher, her collection reflects the independent and highly distinctive perspective of the artist and psychologist. She trusted her intuition, in championing female artists and in her preference for depictions of the female figure.
At the same time, Ulrike Crespo placed particular emphasis on fostering younger and lesser-known artistic positions. The freedom this created, together with the spirit of discovery it inspired, becomes tangible to visitors of the exhibition.
Curated by Dr Mario Kramer.
Guided Tours
Mondays
27 October, 17 November, 24 November, 8 December, 15 December, 12 January
each at 6:30 p.m.
Saturdays
25 October, 8 November, 22 November, 6 December, 13 December, 20 December, 10 January, 17 January
each at 4 p.m.
With DGS (German Sign Language) interpretation
Saturdays, 1 November at 2 p.m. and 29 November at 4 p.m.
Guided tours in English
Mondays, 3 November, 1 December, 5 January
each at 6:30 p.m.
Artists
The show includes works by artists such as Miriam Cahn, Ursula Edelmann, Bea Emsbach, Eric Fischl, Günther Förg, Bernard Frize, Angela Grauerholz, Gabi Hamm, Martha Jungwirth, Michael Kalmbach, Brian McKee, Barbara Klemm, Imi Knoebel, Juul Kraijer, Petra Morenzi, Stefan Moses, Tony Oursler, Vanessa Pey, Bernhard Prinz, Amparo Sard, Markus Schinwald, Cornelia Schleime, Dayanita Singh, Kiki Smith, Günter Umberg, Nicole van den Plas, Paloma Varga Weisz and Ben Vautier.

© Jens Gerber

© Jens Gerber

© Jens Gerber

© Jens Gerber

© Jens Gerber

© Jens Gerber
Events
Guided Tour ‘Die Zeit hat kein Zentrum – Works from the art collection Ulrike Crespo’ (in English)
- Location
- Open Space
- Time
- 6.30 p.m.
Guided Tour ‘Die Zeit hat kein Zentrum – Works from the art collection Ulrike Crespo’
- Location
- Open Space
- Time
- 4 p.m.
A Day of Art as part of the exhibition ‘Die Zeit hat kein Zentrum – Werke aus der Kunstsammlung Ulrike Crespo’
- Location
- Open Space
- Time
- 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Guided Tour ‘Die Zeit hat kein Zentrum – Works from the art collection Ulrike Crespo’
- Location
- Open Space
- Time
- 6.30 p.m.
Screening Bill Viola as part of the exhibition ‘Die Zeit hat kein Zentrum – Werke aus der Kunstsammlung Ulrike Crespo’
- Location
- Open Space
- Time
- 8 p.m.
Guided Tour ‘Die Zeit hat kein Zentrum – Works from the art collection Ulrike Crespo’
- Location
- Open Space
- Time
- 4 p.m.
Guided Tour ‘Die Zeit hat kein Zentrum – Works from the art collection Ulrike Crespo’
- Location
- Open Space
- Time
- 6.30 p.m.
Guided Tour ‘Die Zeit hat kein Zentrum – Works from the art collection Ulrike Crespo’ (with German Sign Language interpretation)
- Location
- Open Space
- Time
- 4 p.m.

Juul Kraijer (*1970, Assen, NL), Untitled, 2002, pastel on paper, 140 × 96 cm

Brian McKee (1977, Kansas City, USA — 2018, Üsküdar, TR), Palace Staircase #4, Afghanistan #34, 2002, Agfa Professional on Dibond, 125 × 160 cm

Bernhard Prinz (*1953, Fürth/Bavaria, DE), Lockung II (Allurement II), 2001, Ilfochrome, 43 × 56.5 cm

Gabi Hamm (*1956, Stuttgart, DE), Untitled, 2002, oil on wood, 54 × 45 cm

Miriam Cahn (*1949, Basel, CH), Fremde Laufen 1982 (Strangers Walking 1982), 1982, oil on canvas, 114.8 × 63 cm

Martha Jungwirth (*1940, Vienna, AT), Untitled, 2016, oil on paper mounted on canvas, 143 × 249 cm








