Various & Gould are a Berlin-based art duo who began their collaboration in 2005. They address the major questions of our time — work, immigration, sexual identity, death, the financial crisis — with a distinctive blend of humor and earnestness. They find enthusiasm in the accidental beauty of everyday life, and channel that positivity into playful yet pointed critiques of contemporary society.
Their relationship with the street is one of give and take: the urban environment inspires them, so they feel compelled to give something back. They create a genuine dialogue between their inner inspiration and the public who encounters the work.
As for their technique, the pseudonym of one of the two artists says it all: “Various.” Their practice is defined by great diversity, with a particular emphasis on screenprinting.
The Modern Saints
In 2010, Various & Gould reinvented the saints of the Catholic tradition with a series of ten screenprinted posters entitled “The Modern Saints.” Saint Pharmacy, Saint Gentrification… these new icons began to appear across Berlin’s walls. The traditional saints no longer suited the twenty-first century — they had been replaced by healthcare institutions, politicians, and pop stars.
The duo is as skilled in the art of screenprinting as in the art of performance. Like most of their projects, “The Modern Saints” were staged as a procession through Berlin. During the event, Saint Pharmacy was placed in front of the Bayer laboratories, and Saint Gentrification in front of Tacheles, Berlin’s legendary artists’ squat (now closed). With humor and irony, Various & Gould expressed their dismay at the decline of Berlin’s urban and alternative culture.
Face Time
“Face Time” is the name of the duo’s project that fits our era perfectly. The series centers on “Faces” — portraits that seem to be assembled from different collages, which is exactly the intended effect. The goal is to create a multifaceted character representing different cultures and personalities.
To introduce this new series to the public, the duo went big, bringing out their brushes and rollers to paint a 350 m² facade in the Kreuzberg neighborhood.
Public Tale
Another project inviting public participation is “Public Tale,” created as part of the Backjumps 20+1 street art festival. Various & Gould illustrated a story written by Polina Soloveichik. The three main characters — construction workers Mike, Pete & Joe — explore the mysteries of abandoned building sites. Knowing how quickly property developers have invaded the banks of the Spree over the past decade, the project is both timely and eloquent.
From the Street to the Gallery
In the gallery, the duo never abandons the idea of dialogue and contact. The playful aspect is almost always present, and the technique remains the same. Their exhibition at OPEN WALLS Gallery in November 2013 featured screenprints made with a special paint that allowed visitors to strike a match against the surface of the print. The public was invited to participate in the spectacle. The show presented works from the “Wanted Witches” series — portraits of living public figures known for their controversial roles in public debate.