Visiting Berlin has been a dream of mine for long, but an opportunity to visit this diverse city made me realize why Berlin is known as an art lover’s paradise.

Berlin has been around, in part, since 1237 AD, specifically the part known as Colln. Berlin itself is referenced in 1244. The city is home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites, being named “UNESCO City of Design”

Berlin also boasts nine castles, six manors, three active opera houses (the most in the world), and the longest open air gallery in the world. This gallery extends the length of 1,216 meters of a surviving piece of the Berlin Wall with 105 paintings from artists from 21 countries across the world.

A city nine times bigger than Paris, with more bridges than Venice, navigable by boat with over 180 km of waterways, four universities, four art schools, residents from over 184 nations, Berlin is one of the most fascinating and fun to explore cities in the world.

If you want to learn more about what’s written in the history books, you’ve got a city to conquer and explore, and that’s Berlin. Berlin’s rich history has spread all over the world, thanks to its legendary noble scientists, philosophers, and groundbreaking artists.

Many modern art movements owe a substantial nod to the art schools and artists of Germany.

Diverse in artistic expression

The Berlin Art Scene is very diverse from the authentic street art culture of East Berlin to the sophisticated contemporary art scene of West Berlin.

When they saw the other side of the wall for the first time, East Berliners were met with a riot of color and image done in ways they had never seen before. This sparked a street art movement in East Berlin that has evolved into a very deep and moving tradition.

A book store, Neurotitan located in House 39 hackescher markt is a must visit to see what Berlin has to offer in terms of creativity!

The artist BLU creates large scale pieces that have a puzzle like message that is poignant when you see it. The artist is creative and innovative in using street art to create wall painted animations on film.

The crew 1UP has gained popularity with their simple yet beautiful tags throughout the city in uncommon and hard to reach places. They have released a documentary called One United Power, the full name of their crew.

Roland Brukner, a.k.a. Linda’sEx, is a street artist in Berlin that gained media attention from the sad and mopey figures he painted that were pining for a girl named Linda. The city became so involved in the figure’s heartbreak that radio and television followed the story. Other street artists posted responses. Museums have since exhibited the story of Linda’sEx.

The artist Alias uses carefully drawn stencils to create work that is similar to that of Banksy. His work is usually a clever pun or message and is created to fit in with the environment.

Other areas of the city have artistic subcultures as well. West Berlin his home to the Neu West Berlin, a contemporary art space of nine stories that includes studios, ateliers, event spaces, show rooms, and exhibition rooms. There are over 80 artists that work in the space.

West Berlin artists regularly meet at Enzian, a bar that was founded as a refuge for punk and new age musicians but that has become a networking hub for artists of all types to work and inspire each other across mediums.

Hosts world-renowned museums and art spaces

The city hosts art with diversity in space as well. The Sammlung Boros collection is housed in a World War II bunker, featuring renowned contemporary artists with intimate tours of 12 visitors at a time.

The Haus am Waldsee is a fairytale like villa with an adjoining sculpture garden that not only shows the greatest contemporary art to date, but is also a platform for artists that currently live and create in the city. You can even view the private collection of German art collector Thomas Olbricht in his residential space. The collection contains works from the 16th century to contemporary pieces.

Museum Island on the Spree River is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to five museums housed within grand examples of exquisite architecture. A lot of street art can be seen all around Berlin that has an obvious, or sometimes very subtle, anti-establishment hint in it.

The Pergamon museum houses the Pergamon altar frieze from the Pergamon acropolis.

Built as an altar of Zeus, it dates to 165 B.C. Works housed in the other four museums on Museum Island include the Bust of Nefertiti, Byzantine art, Egyptian art, Biedermeier, and others.

The Neue Nationalgalerie is one of the most influential contemporary art museums in the world. It is a National Monument of Germany and includes 20th century contemporary art and sculpture gardens.

Art Fairs with international presence

The Berlin Art Week is annual celebration of art that takes place every September. During the month, the most important art fairs in Europe. Hundreds of galleries take place in this yearly event.

Preview Berlin, an art fair that takes place in various locations, often shows work from not only emerging artists, but art students in addition to the major players in the contemporary art scene.

Art Berlin Contemporary has recently changed from a curated show that was by invite only to a full-fledged art fair that brings in curators from the world’s leading museums such as the Tate and MoMA.

Berlin’s art week is a well-organized even that also includes performances, lectures, and social receptions for networking amongst gallerists, artists, curators, and collectors.

In addition to the obvious reasons that Berlin is a visual art lover’s paradise, visitors to Berlin will be exposed to all of the culture and diversity that influences art also influencing food, music, architecture, and the performing arts.

Have you visited Berlin, if so would love to hear your thoughts.

The post Why Berlin Is The Most Fascinating And Fun To Explore Art City In The World appeared first on The Artist.

It is the American melting pot of the arts, the natural trendsetter for fashion and has the most breathtaking skyscrapers that fill out the city’s skylines.

One of the largest cities in the world, hosting the most famous spots such as Wall Street, Time Square, Broadway and Manhattan, navigable by 350 km of subway tracks, with over fifty theatres, hundred museums, twenty design houses and residents from over 200 nations, NY is one of the most fascinating and diverse to explore cities in the world.

A recent visit to this bustling city was certainly a very stimulating experience

Art in much more ingrained in Newyork’s culture – Sam Taylor Wood

Superior efforts by leading creative houses such as Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), Metropolitan Art Museum, Whitney’s etc. have ensured that New York is consistently innovating on art, culture and design

7 Art Attractions You Can’t-Miss in New York

With an art scene as prominent and diverse as New York’s, you shouldn’t miss these seven unique things that only New York can offer.

1) Taste the royal flavor of Rajasthan paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art has been present in India for millennia and has evolved through religious, cultural, and political change. The period between 16^th and 19^th centuries in India displayed extraordinary creative outputs by many artists through paintings, literature, music and other art forms. Artists during this period were highly skilled and ambitious and produced many masterpieces such as Gita Govinda, Rajasthan royal court paintings, Surdas poems, etc.

MET museum features a significant collection of Rajastan royal paintings, named them as KRONOS Collections, many of which can only be found in MET, characterized by their charming colors and powerful portrayal of scenes from Hindu epics such as Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana, mystical legends and courtly life.

KRONOS collections celebrate the diverse styles and traditions of Indian painting and culture, which is not very common to find in any other art houses in the world.

2) Heighten your visual landscape outside museum walls through New York Street Art

Street art has proven itself to be a true expressive art form. It is not an inferior form of political outcry nor is it the indifferent rebellion of disaffected youth, rather one of the most expressive forms of art NY Street art thinks, feels, and evokes thought and emotions in the people that view it with an open mind. Here’s top five worth considering

• The Bushwick Collective in St. Nicholas Ave, Bushwick, Brooklyn
• The Audubon Mural Project (Map)
• Johnson Avenue in Bogart Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn
• Tuff City in 650 Fordham Road at Belmont Ave, Bronx
• South Bronx Block in E 173rd Street at West Farms Road, Bronx

3) Trace the course of Islamic Civilization at Metropolitan Museum of Art

While Arab world has been evolving as a modern and cosmopolitan hub, it seems there is an inherent inability to research, collect, curate and educate the enormous cultural and historical aspects of Islamic Culture

At MET, you will be amazed by the galleries of  “The art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and later South Asia” section, where you will experience some of the finest masterpieces from the Islamic world.

The works primarily hosting works of art from the earliest periods of Muslim rule in the Arabian Peninsula, the Eastern Mediterranean, Iran, and Iraq. On display, there are magnificent examples of calligraphy, objects featuring arabesque décor in a wide range of media, manuscripts, paintings, carpets, etc.

These collections tell great stories of Islamic civilization from its roots in the Sasanian, Byzantine and south Arabian past through its early development in the Arab lands and Iran and subsequent spread into Turkey, Central Asia and India.

MET has created a huge canvas of Islamic tradition, showcasing the indigenous creativity this region has possessed, through its spaces, are all apparent that you can’t miss this one

4) Explore the Secret Art Max Neuhaus Times Square

A little-known sound installation located between 45^th and 46^th Street in 7^th Ave, created by well-known sound sculptor Max Neuhaus, aptly resonates with the vibe and flow of Time Square.

The amazing fact is that hardly anyone notices it’s there. There are no curated directional signs, artist’s statement or signboards. It is simply a machine that amplifies the resonance of Time Square’s vibe, producing a sound similar to the mechanical humming

In his 2009 obituary, the New York Times ran this quote from him: “Traditionally, composers have located the elements of composition in time. One idea which I am interested in is locating them, instead, in space and letting the listener place them in his own time.”

So, the next time you’re in Times Square, find this place and become engulfed in the cacophony of Neuhaus’s installation

5) See Modern Masterpieces at MoMA

At first glance, MOMA is just another museum. But if you go deeper, MOMA is a very sophisticated institution representing many of the most challenging and creative art of our times. An art laboratory, situated in the heart of Manhattan, that truly represents the aesthetic and intellectual interests across various mediums such as painting, film, sculpture, photography, media, architecture and design, prints and illustrated books, drawings etc.

Many of the most world-renowned masterpieces are in the collection—including Pablo Picasso’s Demoiselles d’Avignon, Henri Matisse’s Blue Window, Paul Gaugin’s The Seed of the Areoi, Frida Kahlo’s The Self Portrait, Piet Mondrian’s Broadway Boogie Woogie, Henri Rousseau’s The Sleeping Gypsy etc.

Be a moral force for your art – This is one key message that you consistently see in every work at MoMA

Two most attracted works – Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night and Salvador Dali’s The Persistence of Memory. It’s worth a visit to see these two great works of our time. Any understanding of MoMA must begin with the fact that this institution is forever willing to absorb risks, criticisms, and controversies

One unique trait MOMA reflects – It’s openness to study, curate, collect and organize a vast array of art forms across various mediums and borders. This is a courageous act indeed

6) Freedom Tunnel

It is surprising that none of the city tours and NY-To-Do lists have Freedom Tunnel as a recommended destination. Probably, the dark allies of this place could be a threat to usual tourists and urban explorers

The Amtrak tunnel under Riverside Park in Manhattan is known as Freedom Tunnel. Famous graffiti artist Chris Freedom used the tunnel walls to create some of his notable artworks, hence it is known as Freedom Tunnel

(Video Courtesy – Gritty NYC)

A lot of works have an obvious, or sometimes very subtle, anti-establishment hint in it. But if you’re one with an adventurous mindset and love for street art, this place is worth a try

7) Shop at Whitney’s Design Store

New York is no short of design stores and creative shops promoting local artisans and their works.

A bookstore located at the ground level of Whitney’s Museum is a must-visit to see what New York has to offer in terms of creativity. A small shop that features exciting and creative collections of apparel, books, prints, and accessories which will definitely stimulate your creative muscles.

New York – A Melting Pot of Creativity and Energy

Everything in New York is love. From the streets to the high-rises, foods, and nightlife, the New York Art and history, you’d leave the place with fun-filled experiences and overwhelming memories.

The post An Exhilarating Pursuit Through New York’s Art World, You Can’t Miss These 7 Art Spots appeared first on The Artist.

Even when the skyscrapers are appearing here and there fast, and even when people get too busy with their lives, there is always enough space for art to thrive.

Art is the connection to our primal kinship with beauty, creativity, madness, and passion. It is through art that we also re-connect with what is essential – warmth, reminiscence, provocation, awareness, enlightenment, etc.

There are very artistic cities in the world that make urban living much bearable for people. They also serve as gateways to the real core of our existence – the complex and magnificence of making, appreciating and feeling. Art in these cities also serve as avenue for advocacies, personal voices, and universal clamors.

Here are 10 top emerging art destinations around the world that you wouldn’t want to miss:

Bangalore

Bangalore’s culturally vibrant landscape offers a vast range of avenues for dance, music, theater, literary, and visual arts. The art scene of the city started to take off in the 80s and later in the 90s, informal art spaces finally sprouted one by one. Through these places, people have become more artistically and culturally aware. Bangalore has not only invested in galleries and museums. The city has also hosted various arts and music events that can nourish and nurture any art enthusiast’s enthusiasm and education. Gallery Sumukha, SKE and 1 Shanthi Road are among those that have made history for themselves.

Here are other art spaces in Bangalore that you must check out and experience:

• Bflat- a lounge bar located in 100 Indiranagar; here, the music scene of the city continues to blossom. Also the famous venue for the Himalayan Blues Festival.
• National Gallery of Modern Art – The 100-year old mansion, Manikyavelu located on Palace Road; home for visual arts and film screenings.
• Tasveer- Tasveer gallery is where photography is being treated as an art form; platform for emerging photographers.

Let this city be your exotic and soulful experience while in India.

Brisbane

Since the opening of Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane’s art scene has rapidly become more vibrant and active. Contemporary art is booming and making all art-lovers more alive. The museums serve as avenues for exciting art from diverse genres while the numerous galleries offer works from different artists. GOMA has reached beyond expectations. It highlights the works of Al Weiwei and other temporary exhibitions such as that of the works of Warhol and Picasso.

Some of the most popular galleries in Brisbane

• QUT Art Museum – Queensland art, contemporary Australian prints, new technology, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.
• Institute of Modern Art – contemporary arts in Queensland with an eclectic mix of cabaret, circus, dance, music, theatre, and contemporary performance.
• Philip Bacon Galleries – contemporary arts such as works by the most acclaimed Australian artists, such as William Robinson, Margaret Olley, Robert Dickerson and Tim Storrier.
• Jan Murphy Gallery – contemporary arts of both established and emerging artists.

This city down south is a journey of colors, whirls, and juxtaposition.

Budapest

By the majestic river Danube, Budapest is not only home for rustic architecture and the most awe-inspiring coffee houses. The city is also a must-experience for all art lovers because it is the melting pot of the hottest trends in Central Eastern European Art. Contemporary art is unstoppably reaching more enthusiasts. If you are visiting the city, here are some galleries that can surely quench your thirst for magnificent art:

• Trafo Galeria– an exciting venue for art that is outside the box. It has been home for exhibitions with themes like environmental politics. In addition,it has hosted gatherings of curators, writers and other artists to further discuss about the current state of art in Central-Eastern Europe.
• Kisterem – an award-winning gallery that holds even the most unusual art exhibits in the city.
• Studio Galeria – where young artists in Budapest showcase their works. It has kickstarted the wonderful careers of so many artists. It has also been a center for important discussions that affect the socio-politics of the city and region.
• 2B Galeria – holds exhibits that could encourage essential debates. One of the most noteworthy exhibits that have happened here is that of the blind and partially sighted artists.

The fusion of past and present can be wonderfully experienced here.

Dubai

When one thinks of Dubai, some words may come into mind: filthily rich, future-oriented, dynamic, self-indulgent, and prosperous. The city’s art scene does reflect all of these. To some extent, others claim that the art scene here has also been very market-driven.

The years 2005 through 2008 have been the most active years in Dubai’s art. In addition, there are other factors why the art scene blossomed tremendously here. The art fair Art Dubai has attracted a lot of art lovers. In addition, Bidoun Magazine which was started in 2004 has also opened a lot of avenues for both local and international artists. Galleries in the cities are also continuously keeping the passion – The Third Line, Green Art, Isabelle van den Eynde and Cuadro.

For those yearning for luxury and artistry, this Middle Eastern City can truly cure that longing. Art in Dubai is emerging very fast

Johannesburg

Tagged as the hippest hub for art, music and fashion in Africa now, Johannesburg is trying to climb its way as one of the top cities for street art. Their goal is to be the best in the world in 2040. This is the very reason why they are investing big portions of the Johannesburg Development Agency’s fund to public art. To date, there are 460 officially listed public art; 1000 from the unofficial list.

When around the city, the suburb of Newtown is the place to be. Here, alternative art is being uphold, paving the way to more opportunities to everyone to enjoy the burgeoning art scene –whatever your social status is.

A proof of the exciting art scene in the city is the official Newtown Heritage Trail which guides you through walking maps, art attractions, and lots of street art.

For those who believe in revolutionary art through free spaces, this is the city to be.

Quezon City

It is safe to say that the art scene of Quezon City is also the summary of what’s in for the Philippine arts these days – the rising of contemporary art while bracing the academic and commercial side of it. Cultural and artistic exchange has both been flourishing in the city due to the presence of various art galleries. Light and Space Contemporary for example is oozing with enthusiasm and energy for it is a pretty young space compared to the rest.

The gallery tries its best to highlight the diverse fields of the arts while promoting an avenue for dialogues within the bounds of social, political, and artistic endeavors. Meanwhile, Green Papaya Art Projects have been around since 2010, an alternative space for artistic experimentation which has never been reliable to any governmental support.

Quezon City is the place to be when wandering around the quaint Manila area searching for good art.

Seoul

From distinct pocket galleries to the strip of fine arts in the most fashionable city, Seoul is the place to be. In the most recent years, it has been outstripping other creative hubs in the country. Seoul has also been popular for avant-garde art and generous artist residencies provided to local and international artists. Proof to this is the must-visit art districts in the city.

• Samcheong-dong – where you can get lost in beauty and expression in Gallery Hyundai, Kumho Museum, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Hakgojae, and Kukje Gallery.
• Hyoja-dong – home for Korea’s literati and now the creative grounds for Gallery Factory, Project Space Sarubia, Leeahn Gallery, Daelim Museum, Ryugaheon, and Koo Bohn Chang.
• Itaewon – you can find here Gallery 101 and Gallery Golmok.
• Pyeongchng-dong – this mountainous area has been influential galleries in the country. Gana Art, Total Museum and Kim Chong Yung Museum are all worth checking out.
• Cheongdam – Gangman locale where you can explore Arario Gallery, Songeun Art Space, CAIS Gallery, and Ghalerie Bhak.

Seoul can surely be a soul-food for the creative heart.

Singapore

In 2006, Singapore’s first Biennale took place and from then on the art scene in this prosperous city has never been the same again. It has been growing, and booming. Dubbed as the hub for Southeast Asian Art, the city hosts annual art affairs – Affordable Art Fair and Art Stage Singapore. In addition, the government has been taking the necessary steps to push art further. The government-led Gillman Barracks is a solid proof of how here; the government takes art seriously as an essential part of nation-building. It has to be noted too that according to gallerists, there is a rise in new breed collectors recently. Some of the most popular galleries that can take you to a whole new path of creative experience in this city are: Sundaram Tagore Gallery, Future Perfect Gallery, and Art Plural Gallery. There are also cultural festivals such as Singapore Art Festival and Night Festival. Online, there are a couple of emerging galleries – ArtLoft and Artling.

This Southeast Asian city is indeed a must visit for art lovers of different ages.

Sydney 

It can’t be denied that Sydney is an exciting artsy city. Whether you are looking for an artsy destination while traveling around or trying to seek for a space for your own art, the city offers so many galleries and museums.

From aboriginal art history to the contemporary and experimental art, you can find what you want in the following spaces: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Art Gallery of NSW, White Rabbit Gallery, and S.H. Ervin Gallery. There are also spectacular events that uphold art and creativity – Vivid Sydney, The Sydney Writer’s Festival for those who are drawn in the magic of words, and Sydney Film Festival for film junkies and filmmakers. For those whose art is captivated by theater, the city boasts Sydney Opera House, State Theater, Sydney Theater Company and Belvoir St Theater.

Other artsy events and venues worth your time are as follows: Art and About Sydney (public art fest), Hayes Theater Co, Sydney Sculpture Walk, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery.

When in Sydney, it seems that there is so much to enjoy.

Toronto

Known as an eclectic and vibrant city, Toronto is the citadel for those who adore the arts whether it is visuals, literature, music, theater and other performing arts. The Toronto Film Festival happens every year and has been a fuel for the global film scene.

Museums here are from the classic to the quirky – the Royal Ontario Museum, Gardiner Museum, and Bata Shoe Museum which are very approximate from each other. You can also marvel at the various pieces big and small at Art Gallery of Ontario. In addition, FRINGE is the biggest festivals in the city. It features 155 performances from the cities most surprising places.Let Toronto amaze, amuse, and inspire you.

So there you go the 10 emerging art destinations around the world. If you are an artist or art enthusiast, explore these cities vicariously. For those who are just starting to appreciate the arts, these cities will definitely lead you to the right corners of passion and humanity!

The post 10 Top Emerging Art Destinations Around the World appeared first on The Artist.

He’s the creator of unprecedented works within the land art movement; he paints directly on desert rock. His big projects take several months to complete and require years of meticulous preparation. The works of this man are highly recognizable.

This Belgian-born French sculptor began to paint stone in 1975 in the Cevennes Mountains. Since then he has done a series of open-air-workshops. Each of his projects has been a masterpiece and (almost always) better than the last.

Have you heard of concepts such as land art, earth art or environmental art?

Jean belongs to artists who are proponents of this style – earth art – have decided that using a traditional canvas is too mainstream, so instead they pick natural landscapes as a canvas.

Taking nature as canvas, these artists play with volume, mass and space to create monumental artworks. They use grandiose elements of nature served both as a canvas and setting for artists in search of the exceptional.

Every project of this kind is a grand endeavour and requires a lot of time and money to prepare. Oftentimes materials have to be transported to remote locations where the artist can create his vision for the place.Lots of painting materials, tools, scaffolding, and more are needed in order to complete a project of this proportion, not to mention all the food and supply required for the survival of the camps. Indeed, in most cases the locations are so remote that camps are required to sustain the artist and his supporting crew.

This is never easy, which makes it all  more impressive.

[quote_colored name=”” icon_quote=”no”]The artist says, “I set out to accomplish my purpose in becoming an artist; to express myself; liberate myself, to create and invent without concerning myself with rules, schools, laws, genres, precedents, permits and the empty striving for honours.”[/quote_colored]

In 1987, he travelled to the Tibesti desert in the north-east of Chad and spent several weeks searching for a site which sent out the right “flows, waves, call it positive, sensual vibes”. He found the perfect location a circular area almost 2 kilometres in diameter and surrounded by rocks, at an altitude of 1,200 meters. Then he set about making his preparations.

This was an undertaking of colossal proportions and took almost two years to prepare: after obtaining the official permits required for the legal completion of this project, he had to arrange the transport of all painting materials he needed to the site. We’re talking about 1500 canisters of paint, custom-made especially for this project, paint sprays, compressors, scaffolding, tools, supporting equipment, and more. This was just the beginning, though.  There was also a camp to be made for the survival of the entire crew for the length of the project. Tents, food, water, and petrol, all of this in a several-month supply, transported in the desert.

They also had to adapt to the living conditions, themselves. As you probably know, the temperatures during the day are very high, but they can drop below zero during the night. All of these challenges have to be carefully considered and proper planning has to be made in order to execute the project without any problems (or more like with as few problems as possible).

Jean worked there from March to June 1989. Using spray pistols, he painted large patches of blue, red, black, violet, and white on rocks, some of which were 30 meters high.

[quote_colored name=”” icon_quote=”no”]The result was a sight to behold.[/quote_colored]

This incredible work of art has to be seen and cannot simply be described. Imagine walking through the lifeless, barren desert. There is nothing around – the whole landscape is monotonous and empty, and all of a sudden you see something you never expected to see. Some of the rocks bear different colours. There’s blue, and red, and violet, and black.

You start to think that you’re hallucinating, and this is exactly what it seems to be happening. But you’re not hallucinating. This is reality. And it’s beautiful. The contrast is so vivid that you can’t stop staring at it.

[quote_colored name=”” icon_quote=”no”]The artist used nature itself as a canvas.[/quote_colored]

Jean nearly died of dehydration during this gruelling adventure in the Tibesti desert. This does not stop him from completing his work and signing it, as his custom, by writing his legacy in the sand. This speaks volumes of the strength of character of this great man.

There is nothing that can stop him from achieving his objective. Nothing that can stand in his way toward making the world a more beautiful place one project at a time.

Jean Verame, you’re truly awesome!

The post This Artist Who Painted On Rocks Will Truly Inspire You appeared first on The Artist.