September 18, 2015
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and was named UNESCO’s “City of Design” in 2006. It received this title largely because of the abundance of street art featured throughout the city. Graffiti is present everywhere, from the sides of buildings, to mailboxes and notably, on the remnants of the Berlin Wall. When the Wall was functioning to divide East Berlin from West Berlin during the Cold War, the West side of the Wall was fully covered in graffiti, while the East side remained clean. Since the fall of the Wall and the reunification of Berlin in November 1989, artists from around the world have covered the remaining pieces on both sides. Much of the Wall art holds political connotation, while other street art in Berlin has been commissioned by businesses to enhance the local scenery. The street art in Berlin has become a major tourist attraction, helping to boost the city’s economy.
