We once again spent a full and inspiring weekend in Munich, taking part in the tightly curated and flawlessly executed VARIOUS OTHERS program. As in previous years, numerous participating institutions, galleries, and artist-run spaces were collaborating to present new exhibitions.
For the first time, a gallery and an artist-run space received the “VARIOUS OTHERS Prize” (VO Award) for an outstanding exhibition. The decision was made by an international jury. The gallery prize went to Gallery Sperling for the exhibition “Triangle reshapes the O of my mouth” by Anousha Payne, done in collaboration with sound and performance artist Ushara, and concrete poetry by Kitty Doherty. They shared the prize with with max goelitz gallery the exhibition “eva hesse, lukas heerich, rindon johnson” made in collaboration with Hauser & Wirth.
The Off Space that won the prize was space n.n. for the group exhibition “After the map was drawn,” featuring artists Fernanda Aloi, Sophie Bergemann, Ivukuvuku, Joachim Perez, and Thandi Pinto in collaboration with AlmResidency, an artist residency in the Bavarian foothills of the Alps.
As part of VARIOUS OTHERS 2026, the young gallery nouveaux deuxdeux, in collaboration with co-curator Dr. Luisa Seipp, presented “Double Star”, a solo exhibition by Paris-based artist Paola Siri Renard. Gallery Rüdiger Schöttle presented together with Gallery Travesía Cuatro two exhibitions: a solo exhibition “Make or Break” by LA-based artist Milena Muzquiz and the solo exhibition “Glory” by Berlin-based artist Elif Saydam.
Knust Kunz Gallery Editions, paired with Bernard Jacobson Gallery, presented as well two exhibitions in their two venues around the city. The Ludwigstraße venue features an exhibition of selected prints by Robert Motherwell (1915–1991), one of the foremost artists of the Abstract Expressionist movement. At the Theresienstraße venue, in the exhibition “Cunningham Capsule,” drawings and editions by dancer and choreographer Merce Cunningham (1919–2009) were shown alongside works by painter and visual artist Chuck Close (1940–2021), photographer and painter Saul Leiter (1923–2013), video art pioneer Nam June Paik (1932–2006), and visual artist and choreographer Lena Grossmann.
Hosted by JO VAN DE LOO, Gallery Noah Klink presented works by two young positions: sculptural and wall pieces by New York-based interdisciplinary artist Irina Jasnowski Pascual and drawings and paintings by Munich-based artist Andreas Chwatal in the exhibition “TRUE ROMANTIC.”
As for the opening day of VARIOUS OTHERS, the Museum Brandhorst opened the “Carrying” exhibition project with its accompanying events, activating various spaces inside and outside the museum. International artists, including Hêlîn Alas, Cana Bilir-Meier, Louise Lawler, Kate Newby, Tiffany Sia, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, and Leyla Yenirce, occupy historically charged sites—such as Cy Twombly’s “Lepanto” room or the “Türkentor” (Turks’ Gate). Architectural interventions, performances, and paintings, as well as sound and filmic works, engage with the museum in a physical space. Together with the Gallery The Tiger Room, GiG Munich, a nomadic art space run by Magdalena Wisniowska, opened the exhibition “Before your eyes open” with works by Vienna-based artists Laura Hinrichsmeyer, Luisa Kasalicky, and Andrea Zabric, highly focusing on the medium of painting.
After two years of renovation, the Museum Villa Stuck reopened its doors on festival opening day, 14th of May, presenting itself with updated technology and as a newly staged Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art). Restored facades, redesigned historical rooms, a revived artist’s garden, and four new exhibitions. Built in 1898, the artist’s house of painter and sculptor Franz von Stuck (1863-1928) is one of the most important Art Nouveau villas in Europe.
Lothringer 13 Halle, together with Goethe-Institut, presented a project based on the premise that democratic (cultural) work is antifascist work. The group exhibition “Antifascism: Now” presents newly commissioned, adapted, and existing interdisciplinary and cross-media works coming from many Southeastern and Eastern European-born and based artists.
The opening weekend was crowned by the dinner hosting hundreds of participants and guests in the Deutsches Museum, Munich, followed by the party in Club BLITZ. The program continues through Sunday, 24 May, with many exhibitions extending into the deep summer months. Impressions will undoubtedly linger with us and all who experienced the program well beyond the festival itself.
More information, tours, talks, and the full program can be found at: www.variousothers.com
VARIOUS OTHERS (VO) is Munich’s contemporary art initiative, where the city’s key players — galleries, artist-run spaces, and institutions — invite everyone to experience Munich’s thriving art scene. In collaboration with a network of international partners, VO presents a ten-day contemporary art festival every May. VO’s collaborative approach brings local participants and international guests together, creating space for exchange and collaboration. Alongside invited artists, galleries, and curators, VO stands out as a unique platform for artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts.
