Berlin EAST SIDE GALLERY

The East Side Gallery is believed to be the venue, where art happened to be a demonstration for a period when Germany was separated. It is a juncture where the old Berlin and the new Berlin, divided and unified Germany, are the main subjects.
   
The 1.3 kilometre long segment of the Berlin Wall, situated at the nearby centre of Berlin on Mühlenstrabe in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, is an international memorial for freedom. It is regarded as the largest open-air gallery all throughout the world, consisting of 105 original mural paintings by artists worldwide. Stimulated by the bizarre events, which brought changes to the world after the fall of the Berlin Wall; artists from different countries all over the world dashed to the place as they witnessed the essence of liberation. The gathering of artists changed the east side of the Wall, providing a new façade in a new period. At present, the paintings are still impervious.

Formerly, the wall murals had been the best feature for visitors and considered as one of the main attractions for several years; however, it is only located on the west side of the Wall. The grey concrete was then transformed by the artists into a masterpiece that conveys the triumph and great hopes for a better future.  Unfortunately, the vast picture wall is now in a substandard condition as one could barely see the old paintings.

Several paintings have provided famous postcard items until the present.  These paintings are known as “Mouth to Mouth Embrace” by Erich Honeecker and Leonid Brezhnev, “Trabi Trabant knocking down the wall” by Birgit Kinder, and “The Mortal Kiss” by Dimitrji Vrubel. These paintings, which still reveal a diverse and bohemian feeling as well as its patchwork of Berlin in its present state is a combination of bizarre figures, effluence of a graffiti-like and political testimonials that extends from the Oberbaum Brucke to the Ostbahnof.

Through the initiative of some artists and sponsors of the East Side Gallery, it is now under protection. However, the images are now peeling off and the Wall is about to collapse. Though the place is regarded as a tourist spot, it is sad to know that due to the mismanagement in the past few years, the East Side Gallery seems to be forgotten.

Restorations and repainting of the gallery are currently made in order to return it to its original form. Some of the paintings have crumbled caused by air pollution, mutilation, and weather. The aim of the renovation is to bring about awareness of its historical significance to both Berliners and foreign visitors alike. At the same time, it will become identified as a venue for gatherings. It is anticipated that the East Side Gallery will be a vibrant place for and in Berlin. However, the source of funding that the East Side Gallery gets is only through private sponsors and donations, which are not sufficient. What the gallery needs is a political support and protection. In this manner, more investors and sponsors are most likely to invest in the project.