Artists come back to recreate their original murals on the Wall

The East Side Gallery is being fixed up in time for the 20th anniversary of the wall of the wall this autumn. Artists are being invited back to recreate their works on the wall after time/weather/vandalism has deteriorated the original murals.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8009447.stm

However, some artists are also boycotting the Berlin Wall art project:

http://www.apakistannews.com/a-group-of-artists-boycott-berlin-wall-art-project-117456

I am not always for recreating buildings or other architecture of the past to hold on to history and identity. Sometimes I think it's important to move forward and create new art/architecture and form new identity. Some people believe that the wall should be painted by younger artists. I don't understand the point of that... those who initially painted on the wall produced art that reflected the conflict/frustration/emotions of that time, having modern artists with no experiences of those things paint the wall completely defeats the purpose of the murals. The article says that some artists boycotting the restoration are objecting to payment or the "manner in which the project was being financed." I'm not sure what the details are there, but I think it would be a great honor as an artist to be invited back to preserve history.

I think this is an important restoration project, not just for Berlin but for the world. The murals express the emotions of the people during a very significant part of our history, and bringing back the art by original artist is a good way to keep the history of that generation alive.