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‘Art On The Wall: East Berlin’ by Matthew Wylie

By on April 7, 2014

matthew_wylie_paris_portrait
Name: Matthew Wylie
Hometown: Texas, United States
Resides: Toronto, Canada
Profession: Professor of English and Philosophy / Writer
Hobbies: Writing, Photography, Rare Books
Hipstographer since: 2011
Year of Birth: 1978

Favorite Combo:  John S  +  US1776 
Favorite Lens:  Lowy 
Favorite Film:  US1776 
Favorite Flash:  Jolly Rainbo 2X 

"Historically, the Berlin Wall has represented a marked sociopolitical divide - one of war and conflict that has long been noted and studied. In 2014, however, on the east side of Berlin, the remnants of what's left of the wall embody an artistic drive towards memory and preservation. Rather than eliminating from sight and memory the wall altogether, most citizens are in favour of keeping it as an artistic platform of expression against despotic action and thought, as well as the preservation of a significant time period in the city's history.
The irony I find most interesting is that, while the wall once carried negative connotations, representing divide and separation, today, it represents a spirit of unity and a space for free expression that most artists naturally gravitate towards. A year ago, when pieces of these remnants were scheduled to be torn down to make room for luxury apartments, local Berliners and artists protested the tearing down of the wall. That is a beautiful paradox, I feel - considering the original purpose of the wall itself."
Matthew Wylie

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This post is also available in: French

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