Mate Artist – Two Walls, Two Worlds
As you walk across Teufelsberg, you’ll encounter two striking murals by Mate Artist, the Italian-born, Berlin-based street artist Matteo De Martin Pinter. His works are among the largest on the site and carry his unmistakable signature style: figurative realism, refined color composition, and a strong, often socially engaged message.
Mindfulness in the Everyday
Just past the entrance, on the left side below the former canteen, you’ll find the mural “For better use“, created in April 2023. It depicts a highly realistic scene: two hands gently holding a plastic bottle resembling a Coca-Cola bottle, filled with water and lilies. The bottle becomes an improvised vase — a quiet but powerful act of reuse and appreciation.
The hands appear careful, almost tender. Pastel tones, the detailed texture of the skin, soft lighting, and flowing fabric in the background give the image a sense of still poetry. Despite the simplicity of the motif, the work invites multiple layers of interpretation: How do we treat resources? What is fleeting, what remains? How can we assign new meaning to everyday objects?
“For better use” becomes a visual plea for conscious consumption, sustainability, and human care — all expressed through an everyday yet symbolically rich moment.
A Vision of a New Generation
On the north-facing wall of the tower stands the monumental mural “Millenials“, created in 2020. Covering 265 square meters, it’s one of the largest murals at Teufelsberg. The image shows a young boy with curly hair, gazing skyward through futuristic pink sunglasses. His shirt resembles outer space: planets, stars, and galactic depths stretch across the fabric.
Behind him rises a vibrant mix of pink flowers and an urban skyline, dotted with glowing light elements and dynamic lines. Above, several large eagle-like birds soar through the sky, adding symbolism to the piece: vision, freedom, and future.
“Millenials” is a tribute to a new generation — one growing up between urban life, digital realities, climate change, and social transformation. The work conveys a sense of hope, strength, and curiosity.
Street Art as a Social Statement
Matteo De Martin Pinter was born in a small town near Milan and has lived in Berlin for several years. Since 2008, he has been creating large-scale murals across Italy, Europe, Kosovo, Brazil, and many other countries. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brera, where he evolved from classic graffiti to street art and eventually to figurative realism.
He views his art as a continuous process — experimenting with different media both on the wall and in the studio. At the heart of his work are social issues: his pieces aim not just to impress, but to tell stories, create connections, and provoke reflection. Thanks to street art, his messages are accessible to everyone — directly visible and immediately tangible in public space.
Mate Artist has enjoyed major success through solo and group exhibitions. Since 2010, he has worked actively in urban, private, and institutional settings and regularly participates in street art and graffiti festivals around the world.
With “Millenials” and “For better use“, Mate Artist has left behind two powerful murals at Teufelsberg that differ in theme and aesthetic — but are united by one thing: a call to see, think, and act more consciously.