Discover these 7 Types of Stunning Street Art & Graffiti in Berlin
Street art has become a huge part of Berlin’s culture and identity. The city’s rich history and diverse population have created a fertile ground for artistic expression, and visitors to Berlin can discover incredible street art around every corner. Whether you’re a fan of political murals or abstract designs, Berlin’s street art scene is sure to inspire and captivate.
In this blog post we share the 7 different types of Street Art in Berlin with you. Having this knowledge in you back pocket makes it all the more fun to explore the many Street Art locations in Berlin.
We absolutely loved discovering the different forms of Street Art. Going on a free Street Art Walking Tour (see details below) was the best decision we made. It gave us so much more information and we learned a lot about current artist working the wall in Berlin. Street Art is constantly changing and evolving as new artists arrive and old murals are updated. We can’t wait to go back to Berlin to see how much has changed since we last visited.
What Street Art Forms does Berlin have?
Murals
Large-scale murals are one of the most common types of street art in Berlin. These often cover entire walls and buildings, and they can be found all over the city. Many murals in Berlin are politically charged or have social messages, but others are purely decorative.
Stencils
Stencils are another popular type of street art in Berlin. These are often small and intricate
designs that have been cut out of paper or cardboard. The stencil is then held up against a wall or other surface, and spray paint is used to fill in the design.
Tags
Tags are the simplest and most common form of graffiti. They are usually just a quick signature or name painted on a wall or other surface with spray paint. While some tags are just a simple scribble, others are very elaborate and artistic.
Wheatpaste
Wheatpaste is a type of street art that involves pasting paper posters onto walls or other surfaces. These posters can be anything from political messages to abstract designs, and
they are often quite large.
For this artwork the artist went to a club on Saturday night and would take a picture of someone dancing without them knowing it. The picture would be blown up to real-life format and stuck to a wall with some glitter and confetti added to it.
After having a great night out, it might as well be you the next week… somewhere on a wall in the center of Berlin.
Stickers
Stickers are another common form of street art in Berlin. These are usually small designs that have been printed onto stickers, which can then be pasted onto walls or other surfaces. Stickers can be used to promote a particular message or idea, or they can simply be decorative.
Installations
Installations are a less common form of street art in Berlin, but they are still worth noting. These are often three-dimensional pieces of art that are installed in public spaces. They can be made from a variety of materials, and they can be quite elaborate and interactive.
Yarnbombing
Yarnbombing is a type of street art that involves covering objects in public spaces with knitted or crocheted yarn. This can include everything from bike racks to trees, and it is often done for decorative purposes.
“After we had a Free Street Art Walking Tour, I kept seeing more and more details in all the artworks in the street. I loved all the new insights I learned and that helped me discover smaller works of art instead of only seeing the large murals.”
What is the Difference between Graffiti and Street Art?
The main difference between graffiti and street art is that graffiti typically includes letters and words, where street art mostly includes images.
Graffiti is writing, or drawings scratched, scribbled, or sprayed illegally on a wall or other surface in a public place.
Street art is visual art created in public places, such as sidewalks, exterior walls of buildings, and highway overpasses.
Graffiti isn’t about pleasing or connecting with the masses—alongside its function as an internal language, it is largely a means of self-expression. In contrast, street art is created with a specific public audience in mind, especially when it’s commissioned by businesses, local organizations, or city officials.
Is Street Art illegal in Berlin?
It is important to note that not all street art in Berlin is welcomed or legal. While some artists work with the approval of the city, others choose to take a more rebellious approach and paint without permission.
Though Street Art is not fully legal in Berlin. The fact that lots of tourists come over to check out all the art in the streets, makes that this art-form is mostly condoned.
Want to book a FREE Street Art Walking Tour? Check out Free Walking Tours Berlin.
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