As part of the Glenkeen Garden Residencies, the Crespo Foundation invites artists to spend three months at Glenkeen Garden, during which they research and work on the theme of ‘ArtNature/NatureArt’.

‘The Glenkeen Variations: ArtNature/NatureArt’ marks a premiere in two respects: it is the first exhibition of the first phase of the Glenkeen Garden Residencies and the first exhibition in the open space of the new Crespo Haus in Frankfurt.

The exhibition also embodies the condensation of a network of relationships: of Ulrike Crespo's centres of life in Ireland and Frankfurt, of her work as a photographic artist and garden designer and of her attention and support for artists.

The exhibition shows the works of the international artists and collectives who were in residence at Glenkeen Garden for a three-month residency from autumn 2021 to the end of 2023:

Markus Huemer; Tania Rubio; Moritz Fehr; Carolin Liebl, Nikolas Schmid-Pfähler; Marcus Maeder; Christiana Cheiranagnostaki, Konstanza Kapsali; Filippa Pettersson, Kristin Reiman; Jan Wagner; Max Brück, Katerina Sidorova, Yulia Carolin Kothe; STRWÜÜ (Jo Wanneng & Lukas Fütterer); Lorenzo Rebediani, Vera Scaccabarozzi, Luca Trevisani, Francesca Verga; Elisa T. Bertuzzo, Doireann O'Malley

Ulrike Crespo's photo series ‘Under the Skin of Water’, which was created in Glenkeen Garden, is also part of the exhibition.

The works of the former residents are as diverse as the nature of Glenkeen Garden itself. Sonic explorations, material investigations, scientific research and poetic imaginaries retell the story of the landscape park.

The thought experiments developed by the artists during and after their residency challenge and expand our perceptions and ideas. In the galleries of the Crespo Haus, the geographical distance between Frankfurt and West Cork seems to shrink. The works invite visitors to immerse themselves for a moment in the world of Glenkeen Gardens – and suddenly it seems surprisingly close.

Ben Livne Weitzman
Crespo Foundation