Tacheles Gallery (Berlin)

Berlin is right at the pinnacle of Europe’s modern art scene, but nowhere comes close for sheer exuberance and energy like the legendary Tacheles Gallery. It is located in a weird and wonderful turn of the century building that has had a colourful and chequered history, variously being used as an elegant department store, a Nazi prison and bohemian squat. On cheap city breaks in Berlin, you will see an Antoni Gaudi like facade covered in faded graffiti, iconic pop art and various types of debris styled to produce amazing and eye popping architecture. It gives a foretaste of what to expect inside which if anything is even more surreal and fantastical.

 

Tacheles Gallery is a living, breathing art community where around 50 prominent artists live and work in studios producing cutting edge paintings and sculpture from everyday rubbish such as twisted metal, broken glass, and plastic. It is certainly not for lovers of classical fine art but attracts a diverse crowd of alternative bohemian types, students and serious art collectors looking for utterly unique items. On short breaks in Berlin, you can explore the haphazard and rather derelict interior watching artisans at work. As you explore you will be assaulted by visually arresting photo collages, graffiti and surreal video installations adorning the walls.

 

It is a completely unique art cooperative that has an intense creative energy but is also a vibrant spot to hang out and mingle. There are a number of tiny bohemian bars where on Berlin weekend breaks you can kick back and drink beer on threadbare sofas, watch art house movies, listen to live bands or visit the all night techno club. There is even a rooftop terrace that transforms into a sandy beach in summer and a bar which is located inside a broken down Volkswagen camper van! It is definitely an unmissable experience for anyone interested in underground art or counter culture.