Face Time – Transition

The new Kolping Jugendwohnen Berlin-Mitte building is located in a historically significant spot. The border between East and West Berlin once ran right nearby, and the large Heinrich-Heine-Straße border crossing was located there. Today, young adults live here during their vocational training.

Various & Gould created art specifically for this location — both on the exterior facade and inside the building. Each work addresses the theme of “overcoming borders” in its own way.

Various & Gould painted an oversized head on the approximately 320-square-meter facade. It is composed of many facial features from different people. The image resembles a giant paper collage and comes to life through vibrant colors and striking grid dots.

Upon closer inspection, the face consists of two halves that appear to be drifting apart or growing together. This is intended to serve as a reminder of the (former) division of the country and it’s society.

The mural is part of the “Face Time” series, in which the art duo celebrates human diversity and subverts conventional ideals of beauty. And there’s another unique feature at this location: directly across from this artwork, there is another mural by Various & Gould, painted right opposite, back in 2015.

The two works are, so to speak, facing each other across the former strip of the Wall, much like people from East and West used to look across the border at one another. At least that’s the idea; strictly speaking, both murals are still located on former GDR territory. The West didn’t begin until just under 100 meters away, at Sebastianstraße, but you get the idea!