A Ride Through Berlin's 'Underground Art Gallery'

The variety of designs found in the Berlin subway's 173 stations imbibes each one with its own unique identity. Cataloging this 'underground art gallery' has been the mission of photographer Kate Seabrook.

1 minute read

March 21, 2013, 7:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj

Henry Grabar discusses photographer Kate Seabrook's "Endbahnhof," a tumblr page that captures the interiors of every station along the the Berlin U-Bahn. According to Grabar, the site is "like flipping through a paint-sample catalog of pattern, typography and architecture."

"The stations aren't as exquisite as those of St. Petersburg, or as bombastic as those of Stockholm -- their design variance is quieter, more approachable, and some would argue, more fitting for a utilitarian transport system," he comments. "And while Munich has constructed some of the most radiant underground stations in the world, the Bavarian city's network is only half the size of Berlin's and offers none of the timeworn contrasts -- it dates from 1971; Berlin's from 1902."

"No, traveling through the Berlin U-Bahn is a more subtle trip, a journey through fonts, graphic design, tile-work, molding and color. And, cliche though it may be, history."

FULL STORY: Berlin's Subway: 'An Underground Art Gallery'

Wednesday, March 20, 2013 in The Atlantic Cities

Transportation Europe Berlin Subway U-Bahn Kate Seabrook Endbahnhof View More

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