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Berlin Wall Art Comes To Bay Area

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By ESTHER HAMMER, Tribune correspondent

Published: October 25, 2007

TAMPA - The Berlin Wall was once a symbol of suppression, but artists have turned its remnants into symbols of freedom of creativity and expression.

On Friday, 45 painted pieces of what was once the Berlin Wall will be displayed at Syd Entel Galleries in Safety Harbor. It will be the first of many stops for the exhibit.

The paintings are part of a 90-piece collection painted by three accomplished Russian artists, Andre Aksenov, Vladimir Smachtin and Tamara Dubinovskaja.

They were selected by Rainer Hildebrant, founder of Checkpoint Charlie Museum, who asked them to give historic and artistic significance to the reunification of Germany in 1990.

The pieces are part of a 350-piece collection recently purchased by the Outdoor Arts Foundation. The acquisition includes the 90 painted pieces as well as unpainted pieces in varying sizes.

The 45 selected pieces in the Syd Entel exhibit range in price from $4,000 to $20,000 each.

The exhibit opens with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the gallery. It is free and open to the public.

Since arriving in the United States in 1991, the wall pieces have been in storage, so only those intimately connected with the foundation have seen them.

This will be the first time the public can view any of the collection.

After this weekend, the exhibit will be at the St. Petersburg Clay Co., 420 22nd St. S., from Nov. 9 through Jan. 12.

The remaining 45 painted pieces in the collection will begin a separate national tour in 2008.

ON DISPLAY

WHAT: Exhibit of 45 painted pieces of the Berlin Wall
WHERE: Syd Entel Galleries, 247 Main St., Safety Harbor
WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and noon to 2 p.m. Sunday

ADMISSION: Free; (727) 725-1809; www.outdoorartsfoundation.com

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