Julia Stoschek Foundation Reopens Düsseldorf Headquarters with Major Anniversary Exhibition
The foundation marks its 20th anniversary with a curated exhibition exploring identity and intimacy.
1Düsseldorf Headquarters Reopening
The Julia Stoschek Foundation will reopen its Düsseldorf headquarters on April 10, 2027, following extensive renovations that began in April 2025. This industrial building, originally dating to 1907, was redesigned by Berlin firm Kuehn Malvezzi. The reopening coincides with the foundation's 20th anniversary, signaling a strategic shift toward consolidating operations in Düsseldorf.
2Strategic Realignment of Operations
The foundation closed its Berlin exhibition space in October 2026 after a decade of programming that hosted 22 exhibitions and 500,000 visitors. This closure is part of a strategic realignment aimed at focusing on the Düsseldorf headquarters and international projects. The goal is to make the extensive collection accessible to a global audience.
3The Selfish in Bed Exhibition
Curated by Krist Gruijthuijsen, the inaugural exhibition titled Selfish in Bed features 52 works by 43 artists. It draws its name from Sarah Lucas’s 2000 self-portrait, Selfish in Bed II. The show examines how individuals construct identities, express sexuality, and present themselves to the world, using the bed as a central thematic starting point.
4Diverse Artistic Perspectives
The exhibition includes significant works by artists such as Tracey Emin, Bill Viola, Wolfgang Tillmans, and Bruce Nauman. Pieces like Emin’s Why I Never Became a Dancer and Monica Bonvicini’s Destroy She Said explore complex relationships with bodies and domestic roles. Several works in this selection have never been exhibited by the foundation before.
5Immersive Spatial Design
Spanning two floors, the exhibition utilizes video projections, mirrored surfaces, and glass walls to create an immersive environment. These installations aim to reflect the contradictions of the bed as both a private, vulnerable space and a site of digital interconnection. The layout encourages visitors to engage deeply with the presented time-based media works.
6Focus on Time-Based Art
The Julia Stoschek collection now encompasses over 1,000 works by more than 300 artists. It primarily focuses on time-based art, including video, film, moving-image installations, multimedia, performance, sound, and virtual reality. This specialized collection highlights the evolution of contemporary artistic expression from the late 1960s through to the present digital age.
7Collector’s Vision and Legacy
Julia Stoschek describes herself as an emotional collector who seeks images that stay with her. Reflecting on two decades of collecting, she emphasizes the joy of welcoming new audiences. The anniversary will be accompanied by a publication featuring contributions from writers and critics including Rachel Cusk, Chris Kraus, Dean Kissick, and McKenzie Wark.
8Exhibition Schedule and Impact
The exhibition will run from April 10 through December 19, 2027, with an opening reception scheduled for April 9. By centering the anniversary on these themes of identity and digital tension, the foundation reinforces its commitment to contemporary discourse. This event marks a new chapter for the institution’s long-term cultural presence in Düsseldorf.