While visiting the major, most popular attractions of Berlin, it can be fun, but also overwhelming and full of selfie-taking tourists. However, the great thing about Berlin is that plenty of hidden art places exist. To go beyond the tourist-filled sites and tour Berlin like a Berliner. You are seeing it for the very first time, check out my "Top 5 art places, where you don't expect it", Berlin's hidden art spots.
Blut und Eisen
When Does a Tattoo Become Art?
Ivan and Marta are two Italian art enthusiasts and artists who have been living and working in Berlin since 2013. Ivan, after an artistic training in Italy, began to get passionate about tattooing around 1998. In 2004 Marta joined Ivan in their studio in Italy. After a long travel, they both came as tattoo artist to Berlin and Ivan a resident at Blut und Eisen. In 2015 Marta decided to combine the art of tattooing with her ancient passion for ceramics and Antikapratika Tattooed Porcelain Collection was born. Antikapratika Tattooed Porcelain is until today a brand that stands out for its style and ethics. Each signed piece is rigorously designed and produced in Berlin.
Blut und Eisen, Stargarder Straße 7, 10437 Berlin (Prenzlauer Berg), +49 30 28 31 982, info@blutundeisen.de, www.blutundeisen.de, Station: U2, S8, S41, S42 Schönhauser Allee, Tue–Sat 13:00–20:00
Filmgalerie
Art comes in many different forms. Filmgalerie invites all movie lovers to discover something that others can only dream of. 112 years of film history is waiting for you: a collection of titles full of exciting new releases, unusual imports from all over the world and a variety of special, weird & classic movies that make even streaming providers jealous. After more than 32 years and 27.000 movies on DVD, VHS and Blu-Ray, Filmgalerie presents one of the largest film archives in Germany. Just give it a try!
Filmgalerie Berlin, Invalidenstraße 148, 10115 Berlin (Mitte), +49 30 23 45 79 11, info@filmgalerie-berlin.de, Station: U8 Rosenthaler Platz, Mon–Sat 12:00-24:00, Sun 14:00–24:00; pic by Maria Dominika
James Turrell - Luthers Light 2015
At the heritage-protected Dorotheenstädtischer cemetery one would not expect a modern light installation by the American James Turrell - but this is exactly where the artist has transformed the existing funeral chapel into a place of light and art. Since 2015, the interior of the chapel has been illuminated by an LED light program which is presented to the interested public 4 times a week exactly half an hour before sunset. With changing light moods you will experience visual phenomena and find a moment of peace in the middle of busy Berlin. You can attend the light presentation from Friday to Monday and will hear an informative lecture about the cemetery and the art from art mediators.
Dorotheenstädtischer Friedhof Berlin Stadtmitte, Chausseestraße 126; 10115 Berlin (Mitte); Guided tours in English and German Fr–Mon at sunset (times may vary), tickets can be reserved here.
Oslo Kaffebar
Next on out list of the 5 top art places where you don't expect it is the Oslo Kaffebar. A simple, comfortable coffee bar with an emphasis on some of the best home roasted espresso, drip coffee and home baked pastries. It is located near the Nordbahnhof S-Bahn station and offers a perfect opportunity for productive work and high-quality coffee in a Scandinavian atmosphere. They also run an Olsokaffe Artspace, curated by UK Artist Matt Jones. If you would like to exhibit or purchase any art you see on the walls, you can contact him.
Eichendorffstraße 13, 10115 Berlin (Mitte), oslokaffebar@gmail.com, www.oslokaffebar.com, Station: U6 Naturkundemuseum Mon–Fr 8:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–19:00, Sun 10:00–18:00
art'otel Berlin Mitte
Let your world be turned upside down and discover the unique world of Georg Baselitz. At art'otel berlin mitte you can admire the art of Georg Baselitz, one of the most famous and important contemporary artists in Germany. The exclusive art collection of art'otel Berlin Mitte includes more than 300 of his original works, all from different stages of his work. His cross-media collection of paintings, sculptures and art prints are typically abstract representations of landscapes, animals and people. His paintings can also be seen in the restaurant Upside Down Bar & Restaurant and every Tuesday at 18:00 there is an art tour.
Wallstraße 70–73, 10179 Berlin, www.artotelberlinmitte.de, Station: U2 Märkisches Museum
If you want to find more hidden gems of Berlin, check out my folding maps BertaBerlin and QueerBerlin. They are available in well-chosen locations all over Charlottenburg, Neukölln, Kreuzberg, Mitte, Schöneberg and Prenzlauer Berg in Berlin and online. But for those of you, who want to stay up to date, feel free to follow me on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK or register for my NEWSLETTER BertaNews.
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