Less than two hours from Paris by plane is the most original and quirky city in the world. Famous for being the city of museums, Berlin has built up an undeniable artistic identity. There are about 170 museums and 300 contemporary art galleries. Jean Louis Sbeghen, a great lover of Berlin art, invites us to take a guided tour of the city’s most famous contemporary art squares.
The city of Berlin itself is an open-air museum. Street Art has given the city the appearance of a gigantic work of art. Visitors are amazed at the quality of the ephemeral illustrations on the vast majority of the walls of the largest districts. The best known are Mitte, Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain, where you will find works by the British artist Banksy or even the great El Bocho.
If you are thirsty for cultural tourism, here is the selection proposed by Jean Louis Sbeghen of 5 contemporary art spaces that you must absolutely visit.
1. KINDL – Contemporary Art Centre
Built on the remains of the former Kindl brewery, the centre houses gigantic installations and large-scale works of art. The very spacious rooms, meanwhile, are home to modern paintings with a futuristic look. You will be very impressed by this sprawling space, which stretches over three floors and presents, above all, emerging artists.
2. Berlinische Galerie
In order to get a clear idea of the artistic activities of the city, this gallery has been created especially to represent a showcase of a multidisciplinary art of architecture, fine arts, and photography “made in Berlin”. Jean Louis Sbeghen has, above all, appreciated this local aspect.
3. Captain Petzel
Restored not too long ago, this space is a true Eldorado for art collectors and architecture enthusiasts. The very popular works of Sarah Morris and Gisela Capitain can be found here.
4. Max Hetzler Gallery
Well known in the German art scene, Max Hetzler inaugurated an exhibition space in Charlottenburg in 1994, and the following year a second space was opened in Zimmerstrasse. Both galleries are now located in West Berlin. Alongside young emerging artists, Hetzler exhibits the works of great artists such as Mona Hatoum, Jeff Koons, Beatriz Milhazes.
5. König Gallery
We have arrived at Jean Louis Sbeghen’s favourite. It is, in fact, one of the trendiest contemporary art spaces in his eyes and the most visited in Berlin. Opened by Johann König when he was only 21 years old, the gallery now welcomes the most provocative international artists of our time, such as Jeppe Hein and Tatiana Trouvé.
There are, of course, other galleries and contemporary art spaces all over Berlin. Every corner of the city reveals itself through the art present there, as young artists bursting with creativity continue to invade and influence the city. Jean-Louis Sbeghen reveals to us that contemporary art claims a large part of this flourishing artistic landscape, and only an eye capable of appreciating the beauty and colours of Berlin can testify to this.
