Hidden galleries of Berlin's East Side.

Berlin's art scene has always flourished in the city's interstitial spaces - the courtyards, former factories, and bombed-out buildings that tell the story of a city perpetually reinventing itself. East Berlin, in particular, offers a treasure trove of clandestine galleries operating in repurposed industrial complexes.

These spaces, often unmarked and accessible only through word of mouth, represent the antithesis of the commercial white cube gallery. Here, the raw concrete walls and exposed brick provide a dialog with the art itself, creating an experience that is uniquely Berlin.

Many of these galleries operate on a pay-what-you-can basis, or simply pass a jar around at closing time. The economics are precarious, and buildings are frequently reclaimed by developers within a year or two of opening. But that impermanence is part of the appeal: nobody visits expecting the same show twice.