Hallo October. For me, you were an unwelcomed guest.Not many really looks forward to your arrival, including me. Well,they called it “Autumn feels” , Golden October and honey golden sunrays. Many out there are eagerly wants to hug their giant pumpkins, slipping into their cozy sweaters and turned on their heatings. Sweater weather.

I am not exactly looking forward to the cold, you know.

An unwelcome piece of imagination. I could call it ” CoronaArt”. By the way, here in Germany, we call this “Das Bombing“.Since visiting Berlin twice and learning more about history, I realized that Berlin is a city of mundane ,bold walls. With the infamous “Berlin Wall ” ( 1961-1989), from which they turned into an artist´s paradise.I have been there and I have seen some works of the Artists and they are really phenomenal.

Maybe King Kong was so disturbed with so many climate- change issues and needs a place to smoke and vent out his anger.He had an unwelcome encounter with humanity but he can be a menace when it comes to being depicted as an art subject. But Art did him justice.

He can calm down now for sure.

Very timely, today marks the 30th Anniversary of German Unification. Its a holiday here today but falls unfortunately on Saturday. Normally this day is widely celebrated but then because of Corona, no such Burgerfests are held this year.If your´re not from Germany and have no idea what is this date signifies then let me tell you something about it.

The German Unification Day ( Tag der Deutschen Einheit) which happens to be celebrated today, 3rd of October 1990 is a very important day in the history of Germany. Since 1945,this is the day where Germany finally becomes one again, a unified as a single nation. The East Germany (German Democratic Republic) and West Germany ( Federal Republic of Germany) were reconciled and united. Along with the Berlin Wall or called as well as the ” Wall of Shame” by Willy Brandt because it is defying the feedom of movement.The Fall of the Berlin Wall paved way to the Tag der Deutschen Einheit or the German Unification Day.

So what happened to these walls after the collapse?

They started the demolition from June 1990 and completed until November 1991. The remaining walls became the canvas of many Spray Artists, Mural artists and became a Graffiti haven.The East Walls had been sprayed with Paint Aerosols, the birth of the East Side Gallery. So basically, spray paintings are a big thing here. It is always scandalous, always drawing attention seeking, provocatively revolutionary. Since then, the birth of free Art is here.

If you visit Berlin, then you will know what I am talking about.Maybe that´s the reason why its called the Graffiti capital in Europe.Maybe they are right, I truly believe so too.

I am not surprised when I saw this particular mural either. This is Frankenstein and Ingolstadt is his home. This giant character is born here, a native Bavarian.Mary Shelley wrote her novel here in Ingolstadt and used this place as a base ground for her ludicrously successful horrific monster to shock the world. I dig in to her story and I even went to the Deutsches Medizinhistorisches Museum here in Ingolstadt and learned more about the fascinating world of Frankenstein. I couldn´t agree no more, He as well deserves a wall here.

I think Germany is by far tolerant when it comes to Graffiti Art, but then what about Graffiti vandalism?Within almost 5 years of living here, I have seen so many Graffiti vandalism that marks the whole town .The thing is, it stays up until now. Nobody wants to remove or repaint it, I don´t really know actually. I hope it doesn´t make me a bad Blogger that I don´t dig into details but I am not writing this to question their legitimacy.What I am trying to say is that Graffiti art in many forms are seen as open here compared to other countries.

This gave me an idea to take a photo of all Graffiti Art and tagging that I see around in my neighborhood. It would be interesting to see how many are they actually. I have learned that the municipality even assigned legal spaces for spray artists to show off their talents, and avoid the tendency to do it illegally.This is what freedom really means.

You can display your creativity and display your art without violating the rules, with this, it is really possible. How cool it is that Ingolstadt even integrated this as a part of the city plan to beautify the cityscape!

Of course, this one too, seems so relevant and important just like the Corona Virus Pandemic, right?

Of course, it all matters.

If you lived nearby and wanted to take a stroll and take a peek of the legal areas to spray, or you just have enough time to kill and admire the Street artworks, then you can find more detailed information Here.

If you are an inspiring Artist and wants to promote your Art and become a Professional, you are welcome to participate and join workshops through the Stadtjugendring Ingolstadt. They are offerring more than Graffiti Art, they have so many fun activites for all ages and I have heard that they even have Ferienbetreuung ( or child care in School holidays and breaks) so that is really cool!

One of the fascinating project they did recently is painting all Electric boxes all over the town. This project is called ” Stromkastomize“. This is a project as well in cooperation with the Municipality. I am sure I have seen these Boxes but I think I haven´t paid enough attention to them! I really need to see them up close!

Here are some of their cool artworks!

In the end, I must add that street Graffiti art is purely up to the viewer to conceive its worth. I totally agree with Budgettraveller´s of these praise worthy Artists and their eminent Projects which graced the streets in Germany.

What do you think of Graffiti street artworks? are they Fame or shame?

Until then, stay safe and healthy everyone! Tschüss.

Graffiti Project Stadtjugendring

La Grande Schmierage / The Grand Hall of Fame

Shadows in Berlin