Tracing Berlin's Forgotten Stockpile of Abandoned Mattresses
In the heart of Berlin, two creatives, Michael J Heinrich and Mel Mueller, decided to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. It was in 2017 that they stood before a discarded mattress and birthed the Instagram account @matresses_of_berlin.
The city, known for its vibrant cultural scene, faces challenges such as budget cuts in its cultural sector and the negative impact of drunk and aggressive tourists. Yet, amidst these issues, the duo found beauty and meaning in the small details of the city, focusing on the ever-present abandoned mattresses.
The project was not inspired by a single mattress but by their daily walks with their dog, Maybe. As they explored the city, they began to notice an increasing number of mattresses on the streets. This personal connection became the catalyst for the unique Instagram account.
@matresses_of_berlin documents jettisoned mattresses in Berlin and beyond, showcasing an art installation that resembles a mattress showroom, as well as mattresses that interact with light or resemble human gestures, creating a kind of artistic still life. The account occasionally accepts submissions from other cities, but there seems to be something very Berlin about the constant presence of pavement mattresses.
The creators, both art graduates, do not aim to inspire a specific emotion but hope to provoke thought and reflection. Michael J Heinrich's favourite piece is The Happy Mattress, posted on December 19, 2024, while Mel Mueller admires a piece of mattress graffiti that reads "J'ai pas de murs" ["I have no walls"].
As the project progressed, it changed Michael J Heinrich's perspective on the city. Mel Mueller, who grew up in Neukoelln, doesn't remember mattresses being abandoned when she was a child. The account's creators currently have no new plans for the project, but it continues to capture the city's unique character and inspire its followers.
Other artists who work with mattresses include Thomas Möcker, Mohamed Bourouissa, Kerstin von Gabain, and Tim Eitel, adding to the growing appreciation for this unconventional art form. The abandoned mattresses of Berlin, once a symbol of urban decay, have been transformed into a source of inspiration and art.
You can follow @matresses_of_berlin on Instagram to witness the ongoing evolution of this unique project.
With their unique perspective, Michael J Heinrich and Mel Mueller curate a home-and-garden exhibition within the cityscape of Berlin, transforming abandoned mattresses into art installations through their Instagram account @matresses_of_berlin. Their lifestyle project, begun in 2017, showcases the beauty found in the small details of urban life, providing a fresh take on the traditionally unglamorous subject matter of discarded mattresses.
