The EAST SIDE GALLERY in Berlin, German is another amazingly recognized outdoor art gallery that symbolizes a lasting history. Presenting an unforgettable picture of the Berlin wall divided into two, East Side Gallery holds murals that were painted by international artists after the Wall came down in 1989. It’s our pleasure to invite our readers to learn more about the role and importance of this mysterious structure.
The History Behind the East Side Gallery
However, to understand the artworks themselves, it is necessary to define when and how the Berlin Wall was built and affected Germany. Split the two cities for almost three decades after being constructed in 1961.The wall physically divided East and West Berlin. When it was demolished in 1989, it marked the collapse of the Soviet Bloc and the German reunion.
The Birth of a Global Canvas
Graffiti artists from over the world after the collapse of the Wall flocked to Berlin to paint a symbol of division into that of unity and hope. The aforementioned East Side Gallery became a reality in 1990 when over a hundred artists painted over the remaining wall segments and became an open air gallery.
Exploring the Artistic Masterpieces
Many different artistic attractions can be found when you walk through the 1.3 kilometers of the alley: Let’s take a closer look at some of the most renowned murals:
“The Fraternal Kiss” by Dmitri Vrubel
Perhaps one the most famous ones, this mural depicts the affectionate and intimate clinch of Soviet leader Brezhnev and East German leader Honecker. It depicts the harmony of the two nations and their cordial relation and cooperation.
Test The Best by Birgit Kinder
For example, using her East Germany background, Birgit Kinder incorporates a painted colorful Trabant car. In the case of “Test the Best”, the expression performs more or less the same function where it sarcastically plays for East and West German industries.
“Fatherland” by Jurgen Grosse
Indeed, the artwork done by Jurgen Grosse entitled Reunification depicts the coming together of the two; the east and the west German through a handshake. This painting represents a powerful and unisoned Germany of the future.
The Significance of Preservation
East Side Gallery is a mural art situated along the East Side of the Berlin Wall; it represents far more than a site of tourism, but raises awareness of history and human tenacity. The protection of such murals is an indication of how important unity is together with the effect of art. It reflects the memory of the city and gives people an opportunity to think about what happened earlier and how people learnt how to get over the difficulties.
Preserving and Restoring the Artwork
This gallery is located outdoors and so the art works are prone to deterioration by the elements and sometimes vandalism. The murals have also faded with time and have been in a process of constantly being rehabilitated. Maintenance and sustainability of such works become the work of organizations and volunteers who want to preserve them.
Tips for Visiting the East Side Gallery
If you’re planning to visit the East Side Gallery in Berlin, here are some useful tips to enhance your experience:
- It is better to visit during the early morning or during the night because there are many people during the day.
- Take preferably comfortable shoes because you will be walking for a distance as will be seen later on.
- Make sure you take a camera to take shots of the beautiful art works and interesting things as they happen.
- Do not stick something on the murals and do not touch them because this can damage the surface.
- They should also spend more time reading the background or history of the paintings.
In Conclusion
The East Side Gallery gives people an idea of history and art liberty. It symbolises pain and victory of the Berlin wall and Germany’s reunification both. It not only allows you to take an art lesson but it’s also a history lesson and being able to see the spirit of people standing up for free speech, especially after the tragic event.
Table of Contents
