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Berlin Graffiti Workshop

SAS Fall 2013 voyagers explored the graffiti culture and history of Berlin with an intimate two-day tour led by local street artists. Berlin’s urban art movement started in the ’70s when West Berliners began defacing their side of the Berlin Wall. The wall became a cultural Mecca for urban artists to express their opinions. Today, graffiti and street art remains a large part of German society and has helped Berlin evolve into a popular destination for art lovers.

SAS participants had the opportunity to visit the back alleyways of Berlin, along with the chance to leave their mark at a graffiti workshop. To close the trip, students visited the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall located along the East Side Gallery.

A local artist explains how the subculture of street art began in Berlin during the 70's with political statements that were sprayed onto the Berlin Wall.
Graffiti is illegal in most parts of Berlin but is recognized as one of UNESCO‘s City of Design and is encouraged and welcomed in some alleyways.
Briana Geraci from El Camino College in California sees different tags and slogans painted on the longest standing strip of the Berlin Wall.
With the rise of graffiti in Berlin, other forms of street art and sculpture began appearing around the city. This 3-D sculpture resides in a pro-graffiti area of Berlin.
As a hands on part of the trip to Berlin, students participate in a graffiti workshop. Jason Abbott from Loyola Marymount University prepares another layer of paint to his project.
Several boxes at the workshop hold the dozens of empty paint cans used by Fall 2013 voyagers and others to create their unique works of art.
Patrick Lynn, Resident Director from New York adds a touch of yellow to his graffiti creation. Bright colors are often used stylistically to attract more attention.
Graffiti artists often make use of stencils, thick pieces of paper or cardboard with designs cut into them. This allows for a detailed image to be quickly sprayed onto a surface or repeated in different locations. Multiple stencils are often used to create a complex work of art.
Jason Abbott of Loyola Marymount University leaves his mark on the workshop wall.

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