East Germany to Let Artists Turn Part of Berlin Wall Into Gallery

WEST BERLIN —  East Germany will allow artists to turn part of the Berlin Wall’s bare eastern face into an outdoor gallery, a West Berlin art promoter said today.

David Monty said plans call for a nearly one-mile stretch in East Berlin to be set aside for painting and sculpture by 120 artists.

An East German border guard official, at a news conference with Monty, said authorities expect to leave that wall segment standing and indicated the Defense Ministry has no objections to the project.

Monty said he hoped to enlist famous names to work on 20% of the 33-foot-tall concrete panels making up the wall. The artworks, to be encased in clear plastic, would be opened to the public in May, he said. All topics would be permitted except campaign slogans for East Germany’s elections and “racism,” Monty added.

Contrary to the blank East German side, the West Berlin face of the wall in most places is covered with colorful graffiti.

East Germany’s Communist authorities opened the wall Nov. 9. Interim President Manfred Gerlach later said it would be torn down and replaced with a less imposing installation. Officials say the wall panels will be sold abroad for hard currency, with the revenue to be used for social causes.

Last week, border guards and soldiers removed a first 320-yard stretch and carted the piece to a depot for storage.