A Playground for Artists

We had 3 days in Berlin and on the 3rd day we finally were able to venture out and explore the city. Descriptive words swirled between us: hip, gritty, cool, tough, spirited, angry, political.

Berlin is a city that deserves all of it’s raging praise, and more, for evoking contemplation like none other. It’s not a shock that the city was awarded UNESCO’s City of Design, as even down the most nondescript side street we would always find something to capture our eye and imagination.

 
Berlin Street Art - Grid

 

The voice of the street art around Berlin has had many inspirations, but most are political. The Berlin Wall itself became a canvas for artists. Two famous French artists, Noir and Bouchet, became quite well known for their murals depicting the wall as an oppressive barrier. They painted many kilometres along the wall in efforts to ridicule it. Today one can still find traces of their work where the wall still stands.

 
Berlin Street Art - Screams

 

Berlin Street Art - Thumbs Up

 

Berlin Street Art - Behind a Mask
 
Now the art has spread throughout many of the city’s neighbourhoods in both the east and west. And the art immediately had a direct impact on us and how we view our own work. It made us to want to be better, to challenge the work we create. To express ourselves in ways we didn’t think of before. To push ourselves out of the comfort zone and not be afraid to stay within the boxes that sometimes constrain us.

Isn’t that what art is all about?

 
Berlin Street Art - Colour

 

Berlin Street Art - Life

 

Berlin Street Art - Masquerade

 

Berlin Street Art - Always watching

 

Berlin Street Art - Rats
 
Berlin Street Art - X's and O's

 

Berlin Street Art - Time to Dance

 

Some call street art a crime, but as many others do, I see it as a voice, a valued expression. And thankfully, Berlin embraces it.

 

34 Comments... Read them below or add one of your own
  • April 5 2013

    Looks quite beautiful!! Makes walking around such a joy! Thanks for sharing these pictures.
    Arti recently posted..Thirsty Throats and Water Woes of India

    • Pete
      April 7 2013

      It truly does Arti, everywhere we walked there was something for the eye to behold.

  • Carmel
    April 5 2013

    This is just fantastic.

  • April 5 2013

    Excellent photos. In recent times I’ve been making a point of noticing the street art where I live (often you just wander by oblivious) and thinking I should spend a day wandering around with camera. Looks like you could spend much longer doing that in Berlin!
    hayley recently posted..When in Queenstown…

    • Pete
      April 7 2013

      It’s one of my favorite things to do, aimlessly wander with camera in tow. Thanks Hayley!

  • April 6 2013

    Reminds me of the walls in Belfast. Great artists out there!

    • Pete
      April 7 2013

      Indeed wonderful murals in Belfast.

  • April 6 2013

    Amazing photos…. Makes me want to spend many days just wandering around Berlin, soaking these in.
    Heidi recently posted..Exploring Boston: Our 10 Favorite Spots In Our Hometown

    • Pete
      April 7 2013

      It is definitely a cool city to soak in.

  • April 6 2013

    Wonderful post. I love street art because it has an inherit counter culture ingredient missing in most contemporary art.

    • Pete
      April 7 2013

      100% agree Jeff, it’s my preference as well.

  • April 6 2013

    I would love to see the street art in Berlin, did you catch any of the 1UP crew stuff? Just downloaded their documentary about Berlin.
    Ayngelina recently posted..Food Friday: I love horse meat

    • Pete
      April 7 2013

      I did not catch any of the 1UP stuff, but I am going to download that now.

  • April 6 2013

    Wow, I didn’t know Berlin was such a center for street art! Luckily it’s already on my European bucket list 🙂
    Alex recently posted..Bangkok’s New Hipster Hangout: Talad Rot Fai Night Market

    • Pete
      April 7 2013

      It’s certainly a fun place to be with a camera, I have a feeling you’ll like it a lot.

  • Sam
    April 6 2013

    Great selection of pictures! I too love how Berlin embraces its street art, and here in Buenos Aires, I’m reminded of that attitude. It’s quite refreshing.

    • Pete
      April 7 2013

      BA is another superb city for street art. Thanks Sam!

  • April 6 2013

    Wow, I need to get you guys to take me on your street art tour of Berlin!

    • Pete
      April 7 2013

      It’s a date if we’re ever in Berlin at the same time 😉

  • April 6 2013

    Amazing pictures! moving to Berlin in a year and with this post makes me wanna go now!

  • April 6 2013

    Berlin looks like an a walker’s treasure chest!
    Bet you could spend hours just turning left or right, take this side street or that and be entertained the entire time.
    Maria recently posted..Super Sweet Blogging Award

    • Pete
      April 7 2013

      It’s one of those cities where aimlessly wandering certainly rewards you.

      • April 7 2013

        That is one of the things I enjoy about your site and reporting style – you will wander, stroll and take full advantage of pedestrian adventures.

  • Laura @Travelocafe
    April 6 2013

    I am a sucker for street art. Really love it. I remember seeing some great street art in Berlin, last time I have been there.

    • Pete
      April 7 2013

      I’m a sucker for it too, needless to say my memory gets soaked up whenever I start shooting.

  • Emily in Chile
    April 7 2013

    Gorgeous detail and colors! I have heard so many people say all sorts of different great things about Berlin over the past couple of years, and I hope I’ll get to visit for myself in the not too distant future.

    • Pete
      April 7 2013

      I hope so too Emily. It’s a pretty cool city to spend some time in.

  • April 7 2013

    Great pictures! I love street art, how it taps into the pulse of a city that you don’t read about or hear about.
    Brian recently posted..Challenges

  • April 7 2013

    Yes, that is definitely what art is all about!! The only hard part is deciding which cities have the coolest and most intriguing street art. San Francisco and London being my two favorites 🙂
    Derek Freal recently posted..Travel Wisdom: 4 Years & 16 Countries Later…

  • April 8 2013

    Berlin’s street art is really awesome. Thumbs up to the artists.

  • April 8 2013

    Loooove the photos. I love street art all over the world, but it seems like some of it means a lot more in Berlin…
    Amanda recently posted..In Photos: Costa Rica Highlights

  • April 11 2013

    That was what I loved about Berlin the most as well… so much street art, I was constantly pulling out my camera! And that wall… I could just imagine what it must have felt to have been forced to live behind it.

  • April 12 2013

    Cool steet art! Thanks for the photos. Hope to get back to Berlin one of these days.

  • January 24 2014

    Wow, beautiful! Makes me love Berlin all the more

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv badge

css.php