5 interesting art galleries in Berlin

Galerie EIGEN + ART emerged in the year 1983 as an unofficial gallery project in the private loft of Gerd Harry Lybke in Leipzig (GDR). After the Wall came down, he opened a gallery in the (back then still seedy) Auguststrasse where he represented and represents mostly artists from the so-called ‘New Leipzig School’.

(on appointment only) This is a bunker with a typical Berlin history: it was constructed by the Nazis, then turned into a camp for prisoners of war by the Russians, and then used as a warehouse (where bananas were stored) before being turned into a famous hard-core techno club. Now the building hosts the exquisite private selection of contemporary art of Christian Boros. Check the website and make a reservation for a guided visit or you won’t get in!

MEINBLAU is an interesting and small project room. The space is often curated by the artists in residence or by other artist collectives, and has nothing to do with the commercial art market or the political mainstream. The gallery’s position as a bulwark of independent art in this district is becoming more and more important as the neighbourhoods around it are becoming more and more gentrified.

The area around the Potsdamer Strasse seems to be becoming the new place to be for art lovers. The street has developed into a melting pot for contemporary art with already more than 30 galleries. If you need a coffee, try P103 Mischkonzern at number 103.

Although the House itself is much older, it was only launched as an exhibition space in 1946. Today it offers a platform for artists who live and work in Berlin and have already achieved significant international standing. There’s a particular emphasis on reaching out to the public, which is why there are also events like yoga lessons amidst the art, artist’s talks, etc. and there’s a nice cafe as well.