Introduction
Here you are, Berlin, the city of street art, is it ready to take the tour now? Prepare yourself for an amazing time as we take you through the most vibrant streets and discoveries of this indeed artistic city. Come and learn about graffiti evolution, followed by amazing murals on a free to walking tour, during which we will tell you more about those pieces of art and their culture relevance.
- Street art history of Berlin
Now it is high time to go back to the history of the street art in Berlin to comprehend the phenomenon. The city has always had traditions in arts, the wall dividing it between east and west was painted by many for its political and social statements during its period of time. After the demolition of the Berlin Wall and East Berlin’s versatility became the mecca for street artists across the shore.
1.1 The Role of the Berlin Wall
This divide the city almost for three decades in both physical and political sense because of the wall constructed in Berlin. But it also became a venue for message creation with artists painting its concrete walls as a canvas. Graffiti began as a means to free up areas that were commercialised, protest against political systems, and portray personal personality.
1.2 The Techno Movement of the 1990s
During the 1990s the techno subculture in Berlin was developing and artists of different origins come to this city. The subterranean character of the movement was perfect for the development of street art and new tendencies of the genre. Music, fine art and the spirit of freedom merged into the meaningful and globally recognized Berlin street art which made streets of the city true galleries.
2. The Evolution of Street Art: From Graffiti to Murals
The graffiti on the streets of Berlin has actually changed from simple ‘tagging,’ as the artwork has expanded into massive murals that are iconic to the city. From underpasses to deserted buildings,, artists are now expanding their work onto the fronts of buildings and across whole districts.
2.1 The Rise of Muralism
The art of painting murals has emerged in Berlin with large areas being painted in shade. Walls are made into a canvas where artists put their skill to work in producing amazing pieces or art that can brighten up and breathe life into the concrete jungle. It is therefore common to find that such murals carry social or political themes which show the various voices of Berlin.
2.Abstract This paper discusses how street art and urban regeneration meet to completion the graphic inception that was started by Banksy.
One of the discoveries of this research is that street art has tremendously contributed to the renewal and post modern transformation of Berlin’s urban neighborhoods. Once seen as mere graffiti art, today such a concept is seen as valuable and meaningful way of blossoming of art and culture. Street artists and muralists together with citizens, and urban developers have sought to breathe new life into otherwise abandoned, dilapidated districts which have become tourist attractions.
3. Uncovering Hidden Gems: Some facts about a Street Art Tour
Starting a Free Walking Tour is the best way how to discover Berlin street art. Here are some highlights you can expect to encounter:
3.1 Kreuzberg: The Wall – The Origin of Berlin Graffiti
Initially, an area called Kreuzberg, which has a tradition of being rather liberal and squatters. Wander around the cobbled ways full of tags and paste-ups, read more about artists who were responsible to that.
3.2 East Side Gallery: The Iconic Open-Air Gallery
The East Side Gallery is definitely one of the best places visited when it comes to street art. This section of the Berlin Wall is measuring one mile long and presents more than one hundred paintings from international artists.
3.3 Urban Spree: The Hub Of Modern Graffiti
Urban Spree is an art gallery, event venue and studio in Friedrichshain, Berlin showcasing exhibition and work of local and international street artists. The gallery is also surrounded by some lively graffiti art and murals on nearby buildings that are worth checking out after the visit.
4. SOME USEFUL TIPS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR STREE ART TOURS INTERESTING AND UNFORGETTABLE
To make the most of your street art tour in Berlin, keep the following tips in mind:
4.1 Dress Comfortably
Tours may take several hours so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and follow the weather appropriate clothing.
4.2 Respect the Art and Artists
Street art is done in the open for people to appreciate but remember it belongs to the artists. Take care not to touch the artwork and also do not step on or even knock into various surfaces.
4.3 Engage with Local Guides
To make the most of the local guides, do not hesitate to ask questions. These are people who understand the artists; their style and the history of the creation of the work.
4.4 Capture the Moment
Finally, do not forget to take your camera or your smart phone to capture the stunning street art various along its route. Use social media to tell your experiences using the hashtags concerning Berlin’s street art.
Conclusion
An outstanding free walking tour of Berlin is an outstanding experience for everyone interested in street art and urban culture. Starting from the famous murals at East Side Gallery to the unnoticed ones in Kreuzberg each of these tells a separate tale of the city in the past, present and future. So pack your comfortable shoes, your camera and let the fascination for the colourful Berlin Streetart begin.
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