An Afternoon at Berlin's Urban Nation Museum

If you’re looking for a very “Berlin” art museum, Berlin’s Urban Nation Museum for Urban Contemporary Art is a must-see. Located on Bülowstraße in Schöneberg, and just a short walk from Tiergarten, this two-story museum showcases 150 international urban art stars and local talent alike. Urban Nation brings the graffiti and street art scene to the gallery. A clever way of connecting the community with the artists whose work they may see on buildings they pass by. You won’t find swarms of tourists here as this museum is still relatively new and under the radar, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy the incredible talent within the gallery walls.

Approaching the building, you’ll see stretched out before you that the building itself is a work of art; a colorful masterpiece greeting its visitors. The current mural on the facade of the building is entitled, “No Justice, Just Us,” by the Dutch painter Super A. If you step back from the building, you’ll see the Roman goddess of justice with birds surrounding her and manipulating the scale that she is holding in her hand. A fitting piece for the city of Berlin, the artist has left the interpretation of this piece to the viewer.

As you enter into the museum, you’ll find a two-story art gallery filled with bright pops of color surrounding you. Nearly every piece in the Urban Nation Museum was commissioned specifically for the gallery. The design of the gallery is open and bright with a catwalk above on the second floor, giving visitors various perspectives of many of the exhibited works.

Like many art galleries, the museum is divided up by different art movements such as pop art, realism, and portrait to name a few. At the time of my visit, some of the exhibited works included a bear sculpture made out of recycled cardboard, an intricate face etched into the interior wall of the building, and colorful stairs with a powerful message that will leave you thinking (pictured above). Around every corner there’s a fresh perspective, varying colors, shapes, and textures.

You’ll see pieces from artists all over the world including Banksy, Invader, and Shepard Fairey and you are sure to find a new artist whose work you will be mesmerized by. Personally, I fell in love with the work of Pixel Pancho and James Bullough. If you make a trip to Urban Nation Museum, you’ll have to keep your eye out for their pieces on display. Unique, brilliant, and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. What I find most fascinating is that by looking at many of these works, you may not even realize that these artists are street artists, whose primary work can be found on building facades and bridges. After seeing what they’ve created here in this gallery, you can really appreciate the magnitude of their work on the street.

Berlin is the capital of street art which is what makes a visit to this museum so necessary whether you live in Berlin or are just visiting. The inspiration behind the messages these artists want to convey are fueled with passion and activism, drawing awareness to various topics. By the time you exit the museum, you will leave feeling moved, inspired, and maybe even a bit changed. That’s what art does to you. It moves you. And visiting Urban Nation Museum and seeing the variety of talent within those walls and around the entire city of Berlin, you’ll find yourself wondering, “How’d they do that?” In awe of their talent and creativity and courage. Because there’s nothing “safe” about being a street artist.

Thank you, Urban Nation for the beautiful and thought-provoking curation of art you’ve put together. It’s at the top of my recommendation list for any fellow art lover and I can’t wait to go back later in the year. My focus now that I am living in Berlin is to share the Berlin arts & culture scene with readers here on my blog. There is so much to see and discover within this city and I’m excited to be a resource for all of your Berlin arts & culture needs! If you’re new here and want to see everything I’m up to in Berlin, follow along on Instagram @ChelseaDinen.

Address: Bülowstraße 7, 10783 Berlin

Cost: Admission is free (donations accepted)

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM to 6 PM.

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