Inspired by an idea that a group of artists from Rio de Janeiro came up with, Literaturwerkstatt invited more than 40 graffiti artists from Berlin, Rio and Barcelona to collaborate with poets from Berlin. The canvas was an old shopping center in Lichtenberg (alter Kaufhof at Anton-Saefkow-Platz). The building is a perfect urban gallery: It has an almost windowless wall that goes all around the building and the upper part of the building is wider than the lower part forming a roof that protected artists and visitors from the rain.
Despite heavy rain many people showed up for the event, amongst them many locals. The works ranged from figurative paintings to stylish calligraphy and experimental arrangements of text images. Most works were illustrations of poems and the were painted on the walls right next to them. On one hand it was a bit disappointing that so many artist respected that pattern, on the other hand the works were quite accessible that way.
It’s going to be interesting how local graffiti artists will react to these works that are officially not only tolerated but even welcome.
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