Editor's note: Fifteen University of Nebraska-Lincoln students journeyed to Germany this summer as part of a advertising and marketing study abroad program sponsored by the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.The following article includes the observations of two of the students who took part of the German study abroad program.
There is nothing unusual about graffiti covered walls in Berlin. Often, the first thing a Berliner sees as he or she exits the subway is a wall adorned with brightly colored drawings and words. However, Americans find graffiti on their buildings and walls offensive. The drawings and writings are slowly but surely becoming an act that police are punishing with harsher penalties.
What exactly makes the graffiti in Germany special, or at least acceptable by the people? Why don’t Americans appreciate graffiti as a form of artistic expression?
Most Berliners do not even notice the graffiti, and when they do, it seems more like art. Former West Berliner Manuel Gutberlet said, “Here [Germany] it’s like artwork, a way for anyone to leave their mark on Berlin.” He added that one of the biggest reasons Germans not only allow, but accept graffiti in their cities is because of the infamous graffiti painted on the Berlin Wall. Once a symbol of division, the preserved parts of the wall now showcase some of the most famous graffiti in the world.
Expression of emotions
Gutberlet said, “So many of us grew up seeing the markings on the wall. It was a way for our people to express their feelings.” The wall was on East Berlin territory, and painting wasn’t allowed, most people began to paint on the Western side in the early 80’s. “East Berliners were isolated from everything going on around them, and the two different sides of the wall kind of express that difference.”
Gutberlet also said the Western side of the wall was colorful, whereas the Eastern side was white or grey. Punks and East German resistors living in West Berlin took advantage of the little police surveillance around the wall. They used the miles of blank wall as a canvas for street art. When the wall came down, this art flooded into East Berlin.
According to the ITALISIZEDNew York Times article “One Wall Down, Thousands to Paint,” a task force was formed in 1990 to fight back against graffiti, but remained ineffective. Despite the 15 arrests a week for graffiti vandalism, shops like Overkill specifically sell spray paint and accessories to street artists. Even though graffiti is technically considered vandalism in Berlin, it is more highly regarded as art.
Graffiti as decoration
Clubs and bars are also commonly decorated with graffiti. This is such a big contrast from most clubs and bars in the United States. The graffiti makes some travelers leery of venturing in to such establishments. Michigan native, Mallory Medlin, stopped in her tracks as she entered a Berlin club. “The walls of this huge building were literally covered in graffiti,” Medlin said. “I was so nervous to go in because I thought the club might not be a safe place.” After seeing all of the people dancing on every floor of the building Medlin let loose and had a great evening. She said, “I guess graffiti is just a common expression here. It’s just so different from in the States where people go to jail because we believe graffiti is disrespectful.”
Graffiti in Nebraska
Unlike Berlin, the city of Omaha is working as fast as it can to clean up graffiti around town. According to graffitihurts.org, Omaha spends about $100,000 a year on graffiti removal. It can be a difficult task when there is only enough money for one full-time graffiti removal worker and van. Omaha businesses cannot even sell spray paint to anyone younger than 18, unless an adult is present.
Nebraskans do not seem to find any need for graffiti on their buildings. According to the ITALISIZEDLincoln Journal Star, Jody Luth owns five buildings in downtown Lincoln that are frequently hit by graffiti vandals. “This isn’t art,” Luth said, “this isn’t anything more than destruction.
In reality, Americans believe graffiti hurts homeowners, communities, businesses, and schools. In addition, graffiti generates the “perception of blight and heightens fear of gang activity" reports the U.S. Department of Justice. The appearance of graffiti is often perceived by residents as a sign that a downward spiral has begun, even though this may not be true.
