Berlin Wall at IWM
30 Years Since the Wall Came Down
We had the pleasure of installing two sections of the Berlin Wall outside the Imperial War Museum in London
On the night of 9th November 1989, the Berlin Wall dividing Soviet-led East from West Germany collapsed. It has been 30 years since the Berlin Wall came down and Imperial War Museums collaborated with graffiti artists STIK and Thierry Noir to paint two sections of the wall in commemoration.
Thierry Noir, who is credited to be the first graffiti artist to have illegally painted the wall in the early 1980s, paints his trademark character in a vivid array of colours – you may already recognise the character from his colourful murals dotted around East London.
STIK has also been painting in and around East London for years with his iconic stick artworks. He uses his work to comment on issues related to homelessness and community. He often collaborates with hospitals, charities and homeless organisations.
"Our team were lucky enough to be joined by STIK himself who assisted in measuring up both sections of the wall."
The artists met in Berlin, 2012 and have remained friends ever since. However, the painting of the Berlin Wall is their first-ever artistic collaboration together.
We were fortunate enough to work on this project with Imperial War Museums and both artists. Our technical team provided full logistical support throughout the entire process including, site visits with the IWM Project Manager and STIK, production of risk and method statements, art handling and transportation from the artists’ studio across London to their destination at IWM London.
Each section of the wall weighed 2.6 tonnes, as a result, we used a custom vehicle with a HIAB crane attached.
Both walls were uncovered and secured to the back of our vehicle at the artists’ studios and the journey was filmed as an integral element to the overall artwork.
Once arrived, we then installed both sections of the wall with help via our HIAB crane. Our team were lucky enough to be joined by STIK himself who assisted in measuring up both sections of the wall. We received final approval from the man himself which meant WALL had been officially installed!
WALL was on display outside IWM London until 1st December.
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© Imperial War Museums 2019