The Berlin Wall: Now the Largest Outdoor Art Gallery in the World!

Remnants of the Berlin Wall linger throughout Berlin today both in physical landmarks and in the hearts and minds of those whom have lived through this period of time.

Today, those whom are, Berliners, will ask the question, “So are you an ‘ossie’ or a ‘wessie’?” . Your response to this question defines your roots from the past Berlin and marks the continued progress of coming together as one community.

On August 13, 1961, the wall was erected around Berlin to permanently cutoff West Berlin from the outside overnight. Barbwire and concrete fortifications were established to define the borders between the east and the west. Literally, West Berlin was political island inside East Germany from 1961 to 1989. Supplies to maintain life inside the Berlin Wall were airlifted into Tempelhof. Families that were separated by the wall burrowed under the wall, crashed through the wall, and catapulted their way over the wall to be re-united. Sometimes, their attempts were unsuccessful. These stories have been well documented.

It was the bold words from the President Ronald Reagan, “Tear down that Wall” that ushered a change no one ever saw coming. Honecker was holding on tight to his position to continue to build higher walls and thicker enforcements. All the while, President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev were coming to an agreement to open the borders between the east and the west. On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall was opened for passage between the east and the west. On this day, the ‘wall peckers’ were born. Everyone within proximity of the wall and a tool to chisel; carved a way a piece of history to hold onto. Today it is prohibited to peck at the wall in order to preserve the history.

Instead, portions of the Berlin Wall remain and serve as a kaleidoscope collection of outdoor art by famed artist from all over the world. The Berlin Wall serves as the canvass for where expressions of liberty and freedom come to life in each artwork display.