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Art
From `street` art to ´high´ art
Ten pages devoted entirely to Berlin's art life
wouldn't be enough to do it justice. Berlin has the greatest art scene in the world
right now, and with good reason: Cheap rent, hundreds of studios, a
supportive artist community and significant economic support from the
German government make Berlin hard to beat as an art-friendly city.
Berlin has so many artists flocking to it from around the globe that
other governments have started lucrative art programs in an attempt to
keep their artists from leaving their respective countries and heading
to Berlin.
The best way to get a taste of Berlin´s art community is simply to walk around Prenzlauerberg, Mitte, and Kreuzberg, and pop into the many galleries that line the streets. (The area around Oranienburger Straße and Linienstraße in Mitte has a ton, as does Griefswalder Straße in Prenzlauerberg, both of which are within walking distance of Alexanderplatz). Remember the names of these up and coming Berlin artists: in thirty years, some of them will be staples of art history books. If you´re looking for something on a larger scale, try the Hamburger Bahnhof (S-Bahn Hauptbahnhof), which boasts an impressive permanent collection (Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly, and Damien Hirst are among the most recognizable names) as well as new and exciting exhibitions (currently on display is ´Pain´, which deals with various artist´s interpretations of pain). The Deutsche Guggenheim is small but worth seeing, and keep an eye open for state-sponsered exhibitions on the streets.
Of course, no art-lovers trip to Berlin would be complete without seeing The Pergamon Museum, the jewel of Berlin´s museum collections. I suggest splurging for the English Audio Guide: you will appreciate what you´re seeing infinitely more when you hear the explanations and commentaries provided.
One last thing: when you´re strolling around the city, don´t ignore the ubiquitous grafitti. It may be unseemly and illegal, but grafitti in Berlin is as much a part of the city and art scene as the Pergamon. Whatever your impressions are, take a moment to at least look at street art in it´s purest form.
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The best way to get a taste of Berlin´s art community is simply to walk around Prenzlauerberg, Mitte, and Kreuzberg, and pop into the many galleries that line the streets. (The area around Oranienburger Straße and Linienstraße in Mitte has a ton, as does Griefswalder Straße in Prenzlauerberg, both of which are within walking distance of Alexanderplatz). Remember the names of these up and coming Berlin artists: in thirty years, some of them will be staples of art history books. If you´re looking for something on a larger scale, try the Hamburger Bahnhof (S-Bahn Hauptbahnhof), which boasts an impressive permanent collection (Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly, and Damien Hirst are among the most recognizable names) as well as new and exciting exhibitions (currently on display is ´Pain´, which deals with various artist´s interpretations of pain). The Deutsche Guggenheim is small but worth seeing, and keep an eye open for state-sponsered exhibitions on the streets.
Of course, no art-lovers trip to Berlin would be complete without seeing The Pergamon Museum, the jewel of Berlin´s museum collections. I suggest splurging for the English Audio Guide: you will appreciate what you´re seeing infinitely more when you hear the explanations and commentaries provided.
One last thing: when you´re strolling around the city, don´t ignore the ubiquitous grafitti. It may be unseemly and illegal, but grafitti in Berlin is as much a part of the city and art scene as the Pergamon. Whatever your impressions are, take a moment to at least look at street art in it´s purest form.
Back
Abschließender Newsletter (Nr. 7, November 2007)