These two murals are some of the best known large-scale works here in Berlin. They were painted by street artist Blu in 2007-08 in reaction to changes to the working-class neighborhood, Kreuzberg. The mural on the right also celebrates the reunification of East and West Berlin, if you look closely, you'll see that one of the figure's fingers make the sign E and the other a W.
Sadly, the walls were painted over in December 2014 at the request of the artist in protest of the further gentrification of the neighborhood. These buildings were sold to developers and are slated to be torn down to make room for luxury apartments. You can read more about the development plans here and you'll find more murals at Monday Mural.
Developers... their word has no value.
ReplyDeleteThese were massive.
What a shame.
ReplyDeleteMaking your photograph all the more important.
ReplyDeleteThe murals do look massive, a pity they will be destroyed... the price of progress?
ReplyDeleteI was just reading about these last night. I've presented one from Berlin this week and was shocked to read these 2 had gone! Such a shame
ReplyDeleteThis mural has a very strong message. It's good you took this picture before it will be eraser.
ReplyDeleteWow, literary great murals with a message and a maker with a conscience. I like that.
ReplyDeleteIncredible murals and glad you got photos of them. It's a shame what developers do.
ReplyDeletetear down the old and make way for the new. It's all about money!
They are so enormous! At least you manage to record a piece of history before it's gone.
ReplyDeleteOh it his gives me a lot to think about before I have my morning coffee. I wish the artist had not painted them over, but That's better than if someone else had decided it didn't fit the new image of the area ... It was his to decide at least. But both parts of the mural are so good and so thought provoking. And as a retired paper-pusher, I can quite relate to those golden chains.
ReplyDeleteHow sad they have been painted over and the area gentrified.
ReplyDeleteThey are BIG !
ReplyDeleteThat's the sad thing about street art I guess Hal, it has a tenuous lifespan. This work is impressive even in this state!
ReplyDeleteThat's the sad thing about street art I guess Hal, it has a tenuous lifespan. This work is impressive even in this state!
ReplyDeletei'm with william!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering how a person can paint such massive murals?
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame that these are gone but, I do understand the artist's position. Just what the world needs, more luxury housing. It's a good think you have this photo to share with us.
ReplyDeleteThey are great!
ReplyDeletewonderful mural...thanks for pointing out the east and west
ReplyDeleteOho. so big murals.
ReplyDeleteThey are so huge!
ReplyDeleteAt least they'll be remembered...
ReplyDeleteThat seems to be the way of the world these days.
ReplyDeleteBuilding only for the very rich doesn't seem like a viable long-range plan for any community. Thanks for contributing to this week's Monday Mural.
ReplyDeleteSuch telling images!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you are glad to have found these before they were wiped off. (I'm sure glad to see it here. )
Now, this is one way to keep those gigantic murals alive. :)
Kreuzberg was once a very bourgeois quartier, changed dramatically after the wars and especially after the construction of the wall. The proximity to the East was not attractive and the area went down to be inhabited by students, foreigners, artists etc. Now it is up and coming again. Sad, it was such a wonderful area.
ReplyDelete