The Walls of Berlin

Berlin is amazing – hip, vibrant, bohemian, sophisticated, artistic, musical, cultural and avant-garde, so great … I am running out of adjectives. The city still bears the marks of its forty year division into East and West. But like a phoenix, it is quite literally rising from the ashes of its tragic past.
Berlin has come back to life and color – each neighborhood with its distinctive flavor and palette.
Trendy boutiques and flea markets reflect Berliners’ love for contemporary and retro design.
Warm, comforting, elegant and very versatile – these pinks work well inside and out.

Modernity threads by history, moving things along…on many levels: the city has become emblematic for its acceptance, permissiveness and tolerance.
Not far from “Check Point Charlie”, an area which until recently epitomized the cold war, a row of buildings celebrate reunification by donning cheerful primary colors.

A breath of fresh air sweeping away the grayness of oppression.

Might the architects have been inspired by pop art?
This palette is dynamic and fun – a real mood up lifter!

Blue, the color of enlightenment, dots old streets, dressing up dull buildings.

Combinations of bright blues and warm grays are soothing.
They make uninteresting edifices seem more welcoming.
Of course colorful vestiges of the “ Wall” can be found everywhere, homage to the suffering of the past. The paintings and graffiti symbolize Berliners incredible resilience.My favorite mural however is on a quiet side street, away from the hustle and bustle.

The simple image of a child’s face gazing upward with windows reflecting the sky is reminiscent of Berlin’s spirit and determination to look towards a bright future.

About Michele: Like poetry, color feeds my spirit; it sings soothing little ballads but also shouts overwhelming and inspiring speeches. It is a constant companion, a lover – filling my canvases, guiding my lens, and pours from my pen. As a driven apostle, I want to share its beauty and power. You can see more from Michele at http://michelecoppin.com/