Greetings street art fans! Here is another mega-mural from Berlin Kreuzberg, specifically to be found on Manteuffelstraße, between Reichenberger Straße and the Paul-Lincke Ufer. If you want to go and check it out for yourself, you really should if you can.
The image is on another classical 5-6 storey apartment building, built before the war. The side was left empty, anticipating that another building of a similar type would spring up next to it... but that never happened. So instead of leaving it boring and gray looking, an artist was brought in to add this striking image.
The Face of Berlin, if you ever saw one
Who is this guy? The deep wrinkles on his face, and his wine-tinted nose suggest that he may have gone through some tough times, whether caused by outside forces hitting him, or self abuse, possibly a combination of the two. But his vividly burning eyes make it clear that no matter what, he simply refuses to surrender.
The color theme of the entire piece is red. His red jacket over his red checked shirt, the sky glowing red in the background, as well his nose, and not lastly the robin on his shoulder. It's the color of defiance, of a deep desire to live, notwithstanding all the tribulations we have to face in life. Could the red robin on the guy's shoulder be part of this symbolism?
Though it is probably completely subjective, but I love the fact that this very image is on a wall in Kreuzberg. You don't need to go very far (the Kottbusser Tor is only two blocks away) to see actual, real people with the same looks on their faces. Folks who have not managed to tweak the system to their heart's desire, but were instead tweaked by the system. And the bird...?
A careful look at the robin will reveal it to be of the American variety, sharing the order of Passeriforms, but belonging to a different family than the European robins found in these parts. Could this be another symbol? Is this Popeye-like character maybe an American too, stranded and stuck in Berlin for whatever reason? Why not? The city is diverse enough to include these kinds of stories in a heartbeat.
This piece was created by Australian muralist Smug. As always, this post is my entry to the current CCC's Street Art Contest, where you can see amazing street art from all around the world. To see more of the murals I have found in Berlin, please visit my Walls of Berlin series.