Street Art

Although this piece of street art by Blu, “Businessman in watch chains”, has since been removed by the artist himself, in protest of gentrification, it is still one of my favourites in Berlin. And I’m sure I’m not the only one to miss it.

I recently got a phone cover with it on as a memory – although I’m sure this is one of the poor representations that annoyed Blu – using his street art as marketing for the city.

Politics aside, street art is one of the most vibrant and unique aspects of the city. Breaking up the urban landscape with colour and creativity.

It is not merely graffiti. It is art. And some truly brilliant pieces populate the city.

It was one of the first things that I noticed and which attracted me to Berlin.

A city that used to be divided by a wall, shows its heart and soul on the walls, making them as much of a creative part of the city, as the people themselves.

When I walk through Kreuzberg now, black spaces lie instead of what was once an integral part of Kreuzberg.

It’s sad, but it represents the change in the city that has never stood still.

It’s difficult really to put politics aside when talking of the street art in Berlin. You only have to walk beside the East Side Gallery, by the river, to see how the two are inextricably linked.

From the famous “Bruderkuss” kissing politicians, to the colourful swirly faces looking at you, to the flood of people breaking through a gap in the wall – they are all powerful pieces of art.

And they all leave an equally powerful political message written at the heart of the city.