Berlin Wall Hits Los Angeles

In one of the boldest commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall outside of Germany, Los Angeles is hosting a symbolic re-creation of the structure that once separated East and West Berlin and political repression from freedom. The Wall Project, painted by professional and amateur artists, erected the “Wall Across Wilshire” in front of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Culver City’s Wende Museum founder Justinian Jampol; City Councilman Tom LaBonge; and Wolfgang Drautz, Los Angeles consul general for Germany hosted a small ceremony this week to recognize the largest piece of the original—10 sections totaling 40 feet—wall ever to be brought outside of Germany. The project will include a reenactment of the actual events that led to crumbling of the symbolic barrier during which dignitaries will break down portions of the partition on November 8 between 11 p.m. and midnight. The public, however, can view the site free of charge through November 14.