Berlin's 'lost places'

The paper mill Wolfswinkel in Eberswalde near Berlin was in operation for more than 200 years. When its press and rolling mills went silent in 1994, the factory was left to rot, creating a special atmosphere that was inevitably seized by young urban artists. They have placed their art on the walls and floors, aligning it with the existing architecture.

The Berlin company go2know organizes photo tours through the abandoned factory because it provides a wealth of photo motifs. Photographer Nadja Lorenz is especially enthusiastic about the figures by artist Kim Köster, which she found in the former delivery and storage depots.

Kim Köster integrates the space into his art, so his monsters look like they want to tackle the insulation on the floor. "Usually monsters and vampires are something evil. But in this picture they simply come inside and turn out to be funny, peaceful beings," said hobby photographer Nadja Lorenz.

"Will I be tall one day as well?" is what the small, one-eyed monster seems to be asking its neighbor. It appears as if the rest of the huge body reaches through every floor and all the way to the ceiling. With this allusion, Kim Köster incorporates the entire breadth and height of the building in his work - a motif captured by photographer Daphne Kougea of Greece.

Daphne Kougea from Athens is fascinated by this artwork. With templates and spray cans the Berlin street artist Evol transformed simple concrete blocks in the factory’s courtyard. "In a place where everything decays, Evol manages to let things like houses emerge," said Kougea, referring to the photo she just took.

Not all of the photographers were interested in wall pictures and room installations. Klaus Mumm from Berlin was curious to see how much the industrial history still resonates in the old paper mill. He documented the former machine hall, creatively using underexposure and overexposure techniques.

Then Mumm came across this wall painting by Tobias Starke, whose symbiosis with the industrial architecture impressed him. "You can clearly feel past and present when looking at this big boss with the cigar," he said. "With his flowing hair he tells me about the old industrial era and seems to literally burn into your memory."

Anika Zinsilowski is the youngest participant on the tour. She didn’t expect to find that much art in the paper mill. The high school graduate encountered masked birds and furry creatures on her way to the paper mill’s former drying loft. "It’s a fascinating mix of reality and fiction," she said.

Her favorite picture shows a wild figure whose painted shadow perfectly aligns with the lighting conditions, giving the artwork a 3D effect. "The motif reminds me of a small, spiteful and fearless child who is trying to test its limits," Zinsilowski said.

Urban art is still regarded as illegal, because property owners rarely make walls officially available. Abandoned houses such as this paper mill are a lucky find for artists. Berlin, which offers many spaces like this one, has become an important hub for urban art.