Deutsche Bahn Embraces Art in Public Spaces: Berlin Metro Stations Undergo Artistic Transformation
Bornholmer strasse station in Berlin with Tape Art. Photo by Ruben Caeiro.
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Deutsche Bahn Embraces Art in Public Spaces: Berlin Metro Stations Undergo Artistic Transformation

Deutsche Bahn Embraces Art in Public Spaces: Berlin Metro Stations Undergo Artistic Transformation

Betty Vanguard

At Basa Studio, we revel in the abstract, colorful, and vibrant world of art in public spaces. When creative agency beMATES approached us to find artists for Deutsche Bahn's Quality Offensive Project, we knew we had an exciting opportunity to showcase how art can revitalize urban environments.

The project's ambitious scope involved beautifying three Berlin S-Bahn stations: Wedding, Frankfurter Allee, and Bornholmer Strasse. This large-scale integration of art in public spaces required meticulous coordination between the agency, site managers, architects, and artists.

See other projects we have done in the past.

Kera's artwork on the glass doors of the Wedding train station in Berlin.

 

Selecting and Collaborating with Expert Artists


"In the first meetings with beMATES, we soon realized that every station was very different…not just their current setting (neighborhood, geographical setting, size, colors, architecture) but also historically. So we knew the challenge would be to match each station with the ideal artist", says Basa Studio co-founder Charlotte Specht.

We carefully selected three Berlin-based artists - Kera, Falk Land, and Guillermo S. Quintana - each bringing extensive experience in large-scale murals and public art installations. Their challenge was to turn drab concrete slabs and plain windows into vibrant landmarks that reflected the history and culture of their respective neighborhoods. However, their role extended far beyond just creating art.

Amanda and Guillermo - 2 artists in charge of transforming one of the train stations with tape. Their artwork in the background. Photo by Caeiro.
Falk working in Frankfurter Allee. Photo by Caeiro.

Kera's beautiful wall in the Wedding strain station in Berlin.


The professionalism and expertise demonstrated by all three artists throughout the projects cannot be overstated. Their ability to consult with architects, building managers, project coordinators, and many others—both on-site and off—made the whole process incredibly smooth and ultimately successful. This collaborative approach was crucial in navigating the complexities of transforming public spaces within Berlin's busy metro system.

Each artist brought not only their creative vision but also a keen understanding of the technical and logistical challenges involved in large-scale public art projects. Their experience in working within urban environments proved invaluable as they tackled the unique architectural features of each station, ensuring that their art not only beautified the spaces but also enhanced their functionality.

This combination of artistic talent and professional project management skills was key to the success of Deutsche Bahn's ambitious initiative. It allowed for a seamless integration of art into public spaces, transforming everyday commutes into engaging cultural experiences.

 

Brand Urbanism: Investing in Community Through Art in Public Spaces


Deutsche Bahn's commitment to using local artists exemplifies the growing “brand urbanism” movement, where companies collaborate with cities to address urban challenges. By investing in art for public spaces, Deutsche Bahn aimed to:

  • Alleviate "Angstraum" (fear of space) in metro stations
  • Represent local history and culture
  • Reduce graffiti-cleaning costs

Interestingly, Deutsche Bahn had commissioned a study on Angstraum (literally "fear of space" in German), and one of the project goals was to eliminate this fear or anxiety that people had while walking the cold, grey tunnels and corridors of these stations.


From grey to colorful tunnels - Art in public space sin Wedding, Berlin. Photo by Kera.
From grey to colorful tunnels - Art in public space sin Wedding, Berlin. Photo by Kera.
 

The Irony of Embracing Street Art


An intriguing aspect of this project is the irony of Deutsche Bahn, which has long fought to remove graffiti from their trains and stations, now embracing street art to prevent further vandalism. The BVG and S-Bahn spend between 1-2 million euros every year cleaning graffiti from their stations alone. In a classic case of fighting fire with fire, they chose to use art in public spaces to their advantage in a win-win situation.

 

Kera's Abstract Vision at Wedding Station


Kera's geometric, haptically-inspired murals add depth and texture to the Wedding station. His meticulous planning and architectural awareness resulted in a guide system that leads commuters through the space with abstract forms and carefully chosen colors.

Kera told us it was fun to “play with the architecture” of the station, painting the walls, the roof, and even using a plastic film over some windows and mixing up the mediums. The result, he said, was a sort of guide system, where “with the abstract forms…you find a way through the metro station”.

Colorful hallways in the Wedding train station in Berlin.

Colorful hallways in the Wedding train station in Berlin.

Kera's signature abstract and colorful strokes for the Wedding train station.

Kera's signature abstract and colorful strokes for the Wedding train station.
 

Falk Land's Local Touch at Frankfurter Allee


Living in Friedrichshain, Falk Land brought a personal connection to the Frankfurter Allee station project. His work celebrates the area's historical landmarks, incorporating renditions of statues from nearby Volkspark Friedrichshain against a backdrop of the neighborhood street grid.

Falk Land's versatility in materials and application techniques made him an ideal choice for this project. His vision aligned perfectly with the client's desire to highlight the contrast between the station's modern and historical architecture.

Some details of one of the walls in the Frankfurter Allee station.

The artist working on his walls, with a protection barrier behind him.

The walls Falk Land painted in the Frankfurter Allee station from the outside.


Guillermo S. Quintana's Tape Art at Bornholmer Strasse


Guillermo's innovative use of translucent tape art at Bornholmer Strasse Station creates a fascinating interplay of light and shadow. His linear style reflects the station's history as a former border point between East and West Berlin.

"We got Guillermo on board because we know how innovative he is", said Basa Studio co-founder Charlotte. "He was the one suggesting to work with translucent tape because he saw how the sunlight would perfectly interact with it".

Guillermo and Amanda's tape art installation transforms public spaces with light and color.


Respecting Existing Art in Public Spaces


The artists were mindful of integrating their work into the pre-existing fabric of the stations. Kera, for instance, noticed some nice graffiti upon first scouting the Wedding station and decided not to paint over it. 

"It doesn't make sense", he says. "I don't want to have trouble with the graffiti locals…and I try to have a nice dialogue with the artists so everyone can be happy."

The lower walls were left alone as Kera did not want to paint over the local graffiti artists' work.

 

The Potential Impact of Art in Public Spaces


While the specific outcomes of Deutsche Bahn's initiative are yet to be formally studied, research from the Yale University School of Medicine provides insights into the potential impact of public art projects like the metro station makeover. The study, which examined the effects of mural installations in communities, revealed several significant benefits that may apply to projects such as Deutsche Bahn's:

Increased collective efficacy:
The Yale study found that residents living near newly installed murals reported greater social cohesion, trust among neighbors, and informal social control. As stated in the study, there was "a relative increase in collective efficacy, including social cohesion and trust among neighbors as well as informal social control."
This suggests that Deutsche Bahn's art installations could potentially foster a stronger sense of community around the transformed stations.

Improved neighborhood aesthetics:
According to the Yale researchers, residents perceived "a relative increase in neighborhood aesthetic quality, including overall aesthetic quality, the walking environment, ratings of specific buildings, and perceived neighborhood safety." This finding aligns with Deutsche Bahn's goal of beautifying the metro stations and potentially improving the overall aesthetic of the surrounding areas.

Enhanced perceived safety:
The study noted improved perceptions of neighborhood safety among residents near public art installations. This correlates with Deutsche Bahn's aim to alleviate "Angstraum" or fear of space in their stations, suggesting that the art installations could contribute to commuters feeling safer in these public spaces.

Potential reduction in stigma:
Interestingly, the Yale study observed "a relative decrease (at a statistical trend) in stigma toward individuals with mental health or substance abuse challenges." 
While not directly related to Deutsche Bahn's project, this finding suggests that art in public spaces might foster a more inclusive and empathetic community atmosphere.

Long-term benefits:
The Yale researchers found that these positive effects were sustained and even increased in areas with multiple mural installations over time. As they noted, "after almost two years, residents living within one mile of more than one newly installed mural reported a sustained relative increase in collective efficacy" and other benefits. 
This supports the potential value of ongoing investment in public art projects like Deutsche Bahn's station makeovers.
 
Art in public spaces has the potential to create engaging experiences for daily commuters.

 
These findings from Yale University underscore the potential far-reaching impact of projects like Deutsche Bahn's artistic transformation of Berlin's metro stations. By investing in art for public spaces, Deutsche Bahn is not only beautifying its infrastructure but also potentially fostering stronger, more connected communities.
 

Looking to the Future of Art in Public Spaces


As we look to the future of urban development and community building, projects like Deutsche Bahn's metro station makeover, supported by emerging research, pave the way for more creative, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces. The collaboration between Deutsche Bahn, local artists, and the community serves as an inspiring model for other cities and organizations looking to revitalize their public areas through art.

The transformation of Wedding, Frankfurter Allee, and Bornholmer Strasse stations represents more than just an aesthetic upgrade. It's a bold step towards reimagining how we interact with our daily environments, how we build community bonds, and how we can use art to address urban challenges creatively.

As commuters in Berlin experience these newly transformed spaces, they're not just passing through stations; they're engaging with a vision of a more colorful, connected, and culturally rich urban landscape. Deutsche Bahn's initiative stands as a testament to the power of art in public spaces to not only beautify our cities but to potentially reshape our communal experiences and perceptions.

This project opens up exciting possibilities for the future of urban design and community engagement. It invites us to imagine a world where every journey, no matter how routine, can be an opportunity for inspiration, connection, and a celebration of local culture and creativity.

Deutsche Bahn's art initiative transforms daily commutes into vibrant cultural experiences. Tape art station by Guillermo and Amanda. Photo: Caeiro.


Betty Vanguard

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