roaming with the creative beast
If there's one thing that is predominant in the suburb of Mitte, it's art galleries. Every second shopfront seems to have one in it and nestled in every other garden house is an artist's atelier. Every technique is available: painting, sculpture, installations, audio, visual, interactive... you name it, there is someone in this area doing it.
If you are more likely to drop in on the local shoe shop or record store than to brave the doorway of an apparently empty gallery, the task can be daunting. Of course, that may just be me, but I find myself too insecure in the arts to risk making a fool of myself in front of people wearing individually designed clothes and neck scarves. So I tend to glance in these windows, raise my eyebrows in query or gasp in delight, but rarely set foot in them.
Which is, of course, silly. Artists want people to look at their work.
This weekend galleries all round Mitte are having openings. In fact, I have even been told that the Australian Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett (formerly of Midnoght Oil fame), will be in town checking out the scene - although rubbing shoulders with him is apparently an invite only event.
But with so many places actively opening doors and encouraging people in this weekend, it's a good time to go get your Art on. I'd suggest starting on Auguststrasse, and just work your way through the streets, stepping into any which appeal. You may just find that painting which perfectly expresses your state of self at the moment, or that disturbing cartoon which will really upset Mum when you take it home.