6) Spray-can graffiti covered the West Berlin side of the Wall. Here the message is clear, and it reinforces the first holes chipped in the Wall. (1989)
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Panoramic series looking from A29 toward A28. Panning west to east and including the military base and cemetery. Segment 1.
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1) The Brandenburg Gate was situated in East Berlin. The Wall blocked access to it from the West. (1964)
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2) The barren desolation along the Wall suggests its singular brutality. (1964)
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3) It was by way of Allied Checkpoint Charlie -- under the watchful eye of the guard tower -- that travelers entered East Berlin on foot or by vehicle. (1964)
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4) The irony of the sign located immediately in front of the impassable Wall is palpable. (1964)
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5) A view over the Wall just beyond the sign makes clear just how impassable the Wall was. (1964)
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6) Spray-can graffiti covered the West Berlin side of the Wall. Here the message is clear, and it reinforces the first holes chipped in the Wall. (1989)
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7) A more subtle statement -- “Sieh !” / Take a look ! -- encourages a peek through a chink in the Wall. (1989)
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8) Hammers and chisels were for rent along the Wall. Words of encouragement read “Beeilt Euch bevor SIE weg ist” / Hurry up before it is gone. (1989)
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9) Chunks of the Wall became souvenirs, and an American from “Walla-Walla” gave voice to wordplay. (1989)
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10) Crossing through the Berlin Wall at Checkpoint Charlie became a mere formality, as the graffiti slogan exults, and even Mickey seems to say “Willkommen” / Welcome. (1989)
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11) The authorities in East Berlin cut new crossing points, as here, not far from the Brandenburg Gate. (1989)
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12) A cross-section of the Berlin Wall at the crossing point -- to the left West, right East. (1989)
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13) The last victim, shot just months prior to the Fall of the Wall, is memorialized by his date of death in February 1989 as an “Opfer der Honecker-Diktatur” / Victim of the Honecker Dictatorship. (1989)
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14) The Fall of the Wall is memorialized by the scribbled renaming of the “Street of the 17th of June,” the date of the East Berlin Workers Revolt against the regime in 1953. (1989)
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15) Dual-language tee-shirts were immediately available. The artwork, such as it is, depicts people surging westward to freedom. (1989)
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16) The Brandenburg Gate remained behind the Wall, still flying red banners and guarded by but a single East Berlin policeman atop the structure. (1989)
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17) People flocked to the Brandenburg Gate, an architectural icon of German history, which became passable after this photograph was taken. (1989)
