Notes on Street Art in Berlin:

Let us (Summer and matt) start this off my saying that we are not artists, whether it is drawing, painting, spray painting—it all just ends up being a blob.  However, during our stay in Berlin, we were allowed to go to a “Street Art” class.  Now, as Summer likes to say, ”This class is much harder than it sounds. You don’t just take spray bottles and tag buildings.” To explain what we were truly doing, we’ll talk a little about the final outcome and the steps to get there.  First, you get your design in mind.  Next you must draw this on paper that will soon be covered in tape.  Once laminated with tape, you then begin to cut out your designs with ‘point objects’ or properly know as exacto blades.  Then you prepare your board.  Starting with your background color.  This could be one or more color in different patterns.  Once this all dries, all you must do is apply your stencil to your background.  This is so much harder than it sounds, because you spray paint over your stencil.  After that, you’re done.  Now since we are both terrible artists, I would say everyone was surprised when each of us created great art pieces.  This entire class was a VERY fun experience that we are both glad we were allowed to participate in.

--Summer and Matt

Street Art is dynamic.  It is rugged and relentless. But most importantly—it is necessary.  Street Art allows a community to express relevant messages and provide personality and humor for both buildings and our lives.  The Street Art scene in Berlin is extremely fascinating.  I’ve never been in a major city with actual Street Art (not graffiti) and it was really incredible to experience an absolute overload of art, stickers, stencils and the like.  It really opened my eyes about my opinion between the difference between art and graffiti, and where that line is drawn.

--Jason Bartley

Everywhere you gaze, your eyes will fall upon art.  Art is different for every person, with the message or image itself.  Street Art is placed into the rebel category.  Here, in Berlin, it is socially accepted for the most part.  I liked seeing everyone let out their inner artist.  In Berlin, I feel I can voice my artistic opinion.

--Aubreigh Himes