Berlin's Art Scene

Berlin has always been a liberal city, embracing new art movements and young talent. During the Cold War, West Berlin evolved as a laboratory for art, music, and literature. At the same time, the tough Socialist regime in East Berlin pushed artists underground where they created important political art. Today Berlin is attracting artists and gallery owners from around the world—thanks to its inexpensive rents and ample space.

More than 400 galleries showcase works by artists who seem to account for half the entries of world-class art shows such as the documenta in Kassel or the Biennale in Venice. In addition, Berlin's own art fair, the Art Forum Berlin (www.art-forum-berlin.de), is staged annually in October. Longtime galleries present classic modern German and European art along Kurfürstendamm's side streets, between Leibnizstrasse and Uhlandstrasse. Equally established institutions are in Tiergarten (Lützowplatz) and Schöneberg, while Kreuzberg plays host to galleries whose alternative days are behind them.

The real buzz is happening in Mitte, specifically in the Scheunenviertel, where Auguststrasse has emerged as an informal art alley. Typical for Berlin, new galleries and shops open and close all the time; makeshift, temporary locations are a thrill to discover; these are finding their ways into edgy districts like Friedrichshain and even Lichtenberg or Wedding.

Attracting international jet-setters are the top collections in the city, such as the Flick Collection at the Hamburger Bahnhof (www.friedrichchristianflick-collection.com), the body of modern works owned by Daimler and presented in the Weinhaus Huth (www.sammlung.daimler.com), or the shows at the Deutsche Guggenheim (www.deutsche-guggenheim.de) on Unter den Linden. Privately owned spaces such as KW Institute for Contemporary Art (www.kw-berlin.de), located in an abandoned margarine factory in Mitte, or the Sammlung Hoffmann (www.sammlung-hoffmann.de) add special appeal. As hard as it is to keep track of a scene constantly on the move, various resources like the city magazines tip Berlin (www.tip-berlin.de) and zitty Berlin (www.zitty.de), as well as the gallery guide artery Berlin (www.artery-berlin.de), will help you find your very own piece of Berlin art.