Generally speaking, I dislike the people who go around and vandalize everything here in Germany. It seems to be an epidemic – and unlike some places in the world – who promptly cover it up with paint (or repair work) and punish the people placing their mark out there — Germany seems to be more leniant (either not bothering to prosecute or if they do, it’s a fine and that’s it). Thus, there seems to be a large amount of interesting and somehow “art”-like graffiti that flows out of the creative minds of the local vandals – everywhere. And so, those that are doing this type of stuff are now (in my book at least) divided into two categories – the Taggers / Vandals – who just set out to put their horrible ugly mark on everything…. and the Graffiti artists.

Humor me if you will – the following is tagging/vandalism that I hate (this green WR of someone’s initials or handle or whatever) because it is just nothing – it’s ugly, it’s just there and has no visual quality that you can see other than just to annoy and cause me to want to go back and repaint / repair the windows, doors, tables, chairs, or whatever else that it has been put on:

However – the following is a short sample of some amazing graffiti art – that I’ve found all over Berlin (with labels), mostly in/around abandoned places – by unknown “artists” that seem to come back and/or have hours to spend spray painting – with out the worry of being BUSTED (where do they find the time to do this?):

“running spray can” at Weissensee Childrens Hospital

The Sweeper & His Broom (notice how the broom is actually incorporated) at Weissensee Childrens Hospital

5 figures at Barenquell Abandoned Brewery

Anyhow, the thing is that over time, you realize that some of the work you’re seeing is “marked” somehow and/or all by the same graffiti artist. The style is the same, and the interesting thing is that believe it or not – some of them have actually gained a following. For example, one guy XooooX here in Germany is rather well known (photos below), and another “Banksy” in the UK has been here as well. To top it off once relatively known by their handle, you can find books where these more “famous” graffiti artworks are even MAPPED OUT for people to go and see. (Personally, I like just stumbling across it…)

“XooooX Paris”

Barstool Girl by XooooX

Striped Sweater / Shorts Girl by XooooX

Because of a sort of sick sense of pleasure and enjoyment in the discovery – over 4 years, I’ve become kind of aware of the pattern of some of the more consistent “artists” – and when I see it, I make sure to take a picture and add it to the set. Why? Well, because it could be covered up sometime – any time. And if you talk to the people putting it up there – that’s half the fun… creating a work of “art” that people see before it’s gone.

You can see my full graffiti art set (ever growing, in fact) by viewing the slideshow below: