42 metres high are the murals in Berlin’s highest open-air gallery in the Artpark Tegel, located on eight high-rise walls in the immediate vicinity of the Tegeler See lake.
Art in public spaces can be found on almost every corner in Berlin. In 2014, URBAN NATION launched the project “ONE WALL – one wall, one artist, one message”. As part of this project, well-known and lesser-known artists create impressive works of art on building facades in Berlin. These works are not only unique and often of astonishing size, but should also fit into the surroundings.
On Neheimer Straße in Tegel, various works of art have been created on eight high-rise walls since 2015 in the Artpark Tegel, which are well worth seeing. Creative ideas created by international artists that make the once dreary façades unique. Today, not all of the paintings that were there at the beginning of the project are still there. Some have since been painted over and replaced by new pictures.
„The Starling“
Probably the most famous image that you see again and again in the media is the beautiful bird created by the artists Collin van der Sluijs and Super A. “The Starling” is characterised by a remarkable play of colours in the different shades of blue in its plumage.
The eyes and the claws look realistic and you have the feeling that the bird is looking at you from its house wall.
„Departure“
In 2020, BustArt created the painting “Departure” on the façade of the house at Neheimer Straße 4. In this mural, the artist deals with the topic of the closure of Tegel Airport, which was still imminent at the time.
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Jim Avignon, a painter, musician, illustrator and conceptual artist, lives and works in Berlin. His works belong to the realm of pop art.
In 2020, the artist redesigned the façade of the house at Neheimer Straße 8. A colourful, pop image that consists of many different elements. Actually, you should sit down on a chair and look at it calmly in order to understand the artist’s intention.
Fortunately, a small information board provides a little clarification. Avignon deals with the question of the future between uncertainty and a spirit of optimism. – I wouldn’t have seen it like this, but I still like the picture very much.
„2268 miles & Luchadora Pachamama“
From the façade of Neheimer Straße 4, the double image of a head looks down on visitors and residents of the area. The artists Tankpetrol and Queen Kong have transformed an area of 42×16 metres into an impressive image in just under 14 days. Tankpetrol created the Pilot Girl on the left side and Queen Kong the image Luchadora Pachamama on the right side of the façade.
Pilot Girl watches over freedom and fights in space. She then returns home transformed and reveals herself as Luchadora Pachamama, who fights for the preservation of nature, justice, safety and a home for all people.
The 2268 miles in the picture title refers to the people of the neighbourhood. Some of the residents travelled 2268 miles to find a new home here.
Mural by Pixel Pancho
In 2016, the Italian artist Pixel Pancho designed a façade for URBAN NATION’s One Wall project. The two heads, one of which is upside down, can be seen in the Open Air Gallery.
The pictures, painted in predominantly earthy colours, seem a little “outdated” when you look at the colourful pictures on the neighbouring façades. But if you take a closer look at the heads, you quickly realise that two quite current themes are being addressed here. One person resembles a robot, while the other person carries nature within himself.
„Circle of Life“
A woman with a baby in her arms stands turned away from a man who also no longer pays attention to her. Both stand in ruins, not looking at each other and yet looking confident – the end of a relationship and the beginning of another life.
Fintan Magee has appropriately named the painting “Circle of Life”. The background for this 40-metre high mural is the story of the children’s book “A Childs Garden” by Micheal Foreman, in which he tells of the resilience of the human spirit and the ability to always start anew.
„Tiptoes“
The twins How and Nosm like to create huge murals in shades of red, white and black. In Tegel, they have created a surreal creature. It stands on its tiptoes and reaches for the stars.
This picture is so “crammed” with different elements that recognising details is quite difficult for me. Even the “essence” I only recognised after a longer observation.
Mural in Tegel – without a name
The house wall of Neheimer Straße 6 is colourful, funny, positive. Here, the artist team London Police has struck creatively and they reach me immediately with the picture. I can laugh at the smileys and don’t have to think about what who meant and how. For me, the picture radiates joie de vivre and cheerfulness.
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