Berlin has changed a lot in recent years. In fact, Berlin might actually have been the fastest changing city in the world during the last two decades. What used to be a really cool, creative place during the 90s had by now become a much too shiny and polished version of its former self. It almost seemed that Berlin had somehow lost its soul along the way, leaving me to feel like a complete stranger, every time I had the chance to visit the city that I once used to call my home.
But luckily a group of young adults had taken it upon them to help ensure that the old Berlin was not entirely forgotten. Volunteering their own personal time and dedicating their mission to the beautification of doorways, these youngsters were providing delicate works of art that visually remind of those great days gone by. These beautiful works of art were not only found on the very few original buildings, but to my big surprise also on some renovated ones. Like weeds slowly taking over a forgotten structure, this street art was also organically taking back its former property and at the same time providing visual access to the past.
In that sense these doorways of Berlin could not only be seen as simple works of art of the next upcoming generation, but also as a portal, helping to get a glimpse of the formerly wild days of Berlin. As I had been feeling quite out-of-place in this often quite sterile looking city, this doorway art was simply putting a big smile on my face. Even if Berlin had become a tame adult by now, at least its soul was still alive and it could be found somewhere between the lines of this delicate artwork in the different kinds of doorways…
Doorway Art of Renovated Buildings
Doorway of Renovated Building in Knaackstrasse, Prenzlauer Berg
Doorway Art of Renovated Building in Berlin Mitte
Renovated Doorway by Boxhagener Platz in Friedrichshain
Beautification of Renovated Doorway in Raumer Strasse, Prenzlauer Berg
Delicate Doorway Art on a Renovated Building in Berlin Friedrichshain
Beautification of Original Buildings
Original Doorway of a Building in Torstrassse, Berlin Mitte
Doorway Art of Unrenovated Building in Berlin Mitte
Beautification of Unrenovated Doorway in Berlin Mitte
Original Doorway with Berlin’s Art in Ackerstrasse, Berlin Mitte
Delicate Doorway Art on Friedrichstrasse in Berlin Mitte
Doorway Art of Commercial Buildings
Industrial Doorway Art by Puschkinallee in Berlin Treptow
Doorway Beautification on Oranienburger Strasse in Berlin Mitte
Delicate Backdoor Art on Rosenthaler Strasse in Berlin Mitte
Commercial Doorway with Beautifications in Berlin Mitte
Doorway Art of Industrial Building in Berlin Treptow
What do you think about Berlin’s doorways? Are they vandalism, normal urban expressions or true works of art?
The graffiti is interesting – is it art? Perhaps… It’s certainly colorful and a form of self-expression. It’s more attractive on the eye than abandoned buildings or construction sites. Janice took in some of the graffiti in Berlin on her short visit – but Berlin is a city we would really like to explore in depth…
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I think that graffiti can definitely be a form of art, but this qualifies for it is another question. It’s great to hear that you also discovered some of the graffiti of Berlin, it somehow is a big part of the city. Certainly try to explore more of this interesting city, it really has a lot to offer, besides this pictured delicate doorway art…
Dennis, when I think of Berlin, I think of anything but sterile looking city. Glad to see that the young artists are taking it up to themselves to bring the artistic Berlin back to life.
frankaboutcroatia recently posted…Top things to do in Zagreb
You are obviously right Frank, but at the same time it seems to be a matter of perspective. Certainly, Berlin is still a great artistic and interesting city, but in comparison to how it used be and look like, it really changed a lot and lost a lot of its former character. Luckily you can still find some reminders of Berlin’s wilder past…
Hmmmmm some of these are just plain UGLY and not art at all. I love street art, when it’s done well and sadly lots of these don’t
Big thanks for linking up with us to #SundayTraveler again.
SJ @ Chasing the Donkey recently posted…Croatia’s moving beach: Zlatni Rat in Bol
Thank you SJ for your honest opinion!I obviously have to agree with you although I have to admit that this little bit of my proclaimed art really helps to bring back some of the rougher charms that Berlin once used to have…
Yes, Dennis. The last time we were in Berlin we were commenting on this “beautification” program as well!
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Great Corinne, I am happy to learn that you also noticed this form of artistic beautification when you were visiting Berlin. It really adds some character to the city, doesn’t it?
Dennis this definitely is more youthful and graffiti at its colorful best, I still would love to visit Berlin some day. Maybe you can show me around the area.
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You are certainly right Noel,but this kind of youthful beautification had become a trademark of Berlin and I was happy to see that it still existed in this otherwise rapidly changing city. If I happen to be in Berlin when you are, I would be more than happy to show you around…
I love these shots! It is my hope to get to Berlin before it becomes too “shiny” and groomed. It does seem like once a place gets “discovered” its soul gets lost. It is great that these folks are preserving some of it.
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Thanks a lot Jonathan! Unfortunately Berlin has become too shiny already, in comparison to what it used to be. But luckily you can still find little creative pockets with different kinds of art here and there. My fear is that they might disappear completely at some point. Definitely come and visit when you get the chance, just make sure to do so during the summer months…
I find it difficult to say this is art. To me, they mostly just look like random tags and words that someone had spray painted. I don’t deny that graffiti can be called art, but there needs to be more substance than just random letters and text. I do agree that Berlin needs to keep this other side in order to stay true to itself though. It’s why so many people love the city so much I think.
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You are definitely right Adeline! It’s hard to call this art, but at the same time it’s important to preserve some of the character that makes Berlin such an appealing city. Unfortunately a lot of that has been lost already, but luckily some can still be found somewhere between the spray painted tags…
This is a tough one – some of these, I can see the artistic merit, and yet some of it just looks like graffiti tags that are not anything I’d consider art. With art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I’m sure there are many varying opinions on this. A lot of it just looks like vandalism. I think a city should be a vibrant place where people can make their mark with art, it doesn’t have to be a squeaky clean place, but some of it just looks like random scribbles and tags, nothing too artistic.
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Agreed Lauren, art is definitely something that needs to judged by the observer. If this qualifies for it is a great question, but it certainly has become a big part of Berlin, even it has disappeared in many areas already. Finding some of these marks that people had left reminded me of the past and what Berlin once used to be, everything but a squeaky clean place…
I don’t know. For the most part, while I can appreciate the talent that goes into it, I see this more as vandalism rather than art…unless they have the property owners permission, of course. While I think some of it looks pretty cool, I guess it just isn’t my thing.
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Thanks for your honesty Greg!I am guessing from a home owner’s perspective this wouldn’t be my thing either as it was certainly done without any form of permission. Call it art or not, it definitely is part of Berlin’s character and despite all recent renovation programs it was interesting to see that it still existed in some places…
My opinion would be greatly swayed but whether this is wanted street art or unwanted (e.g., vandalism). Some of those doorways are pretty unattractive to me and only a few look like art, the rest just look like graffiti. I like it when cities set aside places that anyone can do street art or hires artists who do street art to paint art or do mosaics on buildings, old walls, along train tracks, etc. But if someone did this to my private door I would not be very happy. I think it is one thing to express oneself (paint one’s own door, car, wall), another to deface another person’s property.But I see your point about wanting Berlin to hold onto its soul!
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Thank you Jessica for relating to the preservation of Berlin’s soul. You are also right that actually all of these expressions, calling them art or not, are obviously all vandalism in the eyes of the property owner. But looking at Berlin as a former divided island in a communist sea, there are still a lot of people in the city who don’t believe in the concept of property. In that sense, this form of beautification is actually quite an interesting statement that tells a lot more than just the obvious visual facts…
I like the thought that the art has reclaimed territory like a jungle retaking lost areas. One step back and two forward. Great colours.
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Thanks a lot Jan! It’s quite nice to think that the jungle is still alive and nature, even in form of vandalism or art, always has to be factored in, no matter how technologically advanced we are…
I have yet to make it to Berlin, but with all I’ve read I will love it. I’ve recently been exploring ‘street art’/graffiti and I am a bit conflicted. Is it vandalism? Is it art? As with beauty – it is in the eyes of the beholder. I appreciate the expression and the character and often wonder what the stories are behind the tags. (Followed you from #SundayTraveler)
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Thanks for stopping by Heather! Too bad that you haven’t made it to Berlin yet, but if you really like street art and graffiti, you should really try to squeeze in a visit when you get the chance. I am sure you won’t regret it and maybe you would even be able to discover some of the meanings of the tags. Definitely keep me posted if you do…
I like to think of it as beautification too. Nature abhors a vaccum, just as artists abhor a bare wall or an abandoned or empty space.
These remind me of the graffiti-covered subway cars that we used to see in NYC years ago. Most people thought it was vandalism and eventually they were all removed.
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That is an interesting point Marcia! I have actually never experienced the graffiti covered subway cars in NYC, but I can can imagine that it must have been an interesting beautification as well, even if the MTA probably wouldn’t agree…
I personally love them even if for many people they just are some act of vandalism. Of course there are some pieces that I love more than others, now the stickers are becoming more popular than the graffiti and some of them are truly well done.
Franca recently posted…Ohlala – A French Vegan Brunch in Berlin
That is definitely true France, some of the doorway is better and closer to actual art than others. It’s interesting to hear that the stickers are becoming more popular in Berlin these days. I personally really like to see this form of expression and it definitely used to be an integral part of Berlin’s streetscape…
Berlin’s street art absolutely rocks!! Every time I go there, I can’t stop taking photos of graffiti!
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It’s great to hear that Agness! Berlin is definitely a great place to explore many things and the great street art is definitely one big part of it…
I’m conflicted on this issue. While I think the graffiti looks cool on the old buildings, it is grossly out of place on the new. Where do you draw the line?
Heather @ Ferreting Out the Fun recently posted…My Favorite Cafes in Riga
I actually agree with you Heather! There definitely is a fine line when it comes to street art and the beautification of buildings. I personally appreciate the graffiti, but I also don’t own a nice house. Maybe I would see it differently otherwise…