A former illegal graffiti artist is now being paid by Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway company, to transform 26 buildings around Munich's East Station with colorful murals featuring local landmarks. Marcus Dörr, a 50-year-old street artist from Offenbach, has been commissioned to paint 1,500 square meters of railway buildings as part of an initiative called "From Gray to Wow."
Dörr's journey from underground graffiti artist to legitimate commercial painter reflects a broader trend among street artists who have discovered they can monetize their talents. The artist has previously worked on high-profile projects including painting a business lounge at Frankfurt's main train station and sections of Munich's Allianz Arena, with additional work in Berlin and Dortmund.
The current project focuses specifically on the Munich S-Bahn trunk line area, where Deutsche Bahn has requested murals featuring Munich's most famous landmarks and floral motifs. The artwork includes depictions of the Frauenkirche cathedral, Nymphenburg Palace, the Bavaria statue, and the Chinese Tower, all set against a backdrop of snow-covered Alps. Large-format Alpine flowers, including gentians, complement the landmark imagery.
"Tourists arriving in Munich via the East Station will be welcomed by these landmarks," Dörr explained. "In my city, we would be happy to have even a fraction of these wonderful sights." The artist expressed particular fondness for his depiction of the Siegestor (Victory Gate), calling it his favorite motif in the collection.
For Dörr's agency, this comprehensive commission represents an unusually large-scale project. He noted that quality artwork tends to earn respect, suggesting that the professional murals may serve as a deterrent to vandalism. "Good art is respected," Dörr said, referring to the protective effect that legitimate street art can have on urban spaces.
Deutsche Bahn officials hope the colorful murals will serve multiple purposes beyond mere decoration. A railway spokesperson explained that the company aims to minimize graffiti vandalism by transforming plain utility buildings into attractive art installations. "Transformer stations are just beige blocks," the spokesperson said. "Images of the Eisbach river and flowers should make everyday life more colorful and bring joy."
The project raises questions about artistic authenticity and regional identity, with some observers wondering whether the hometown-themed motifs might be considered overly sentimental or kitschy, similar to traditional Bavarian folk art. When asked about this concern, Dörr offered a pragmatic response: "Of course there could be other motifs. But I think everyone wins. If you ask 1,000 people, you get 1,000 answers."
The initiative represents a growing trend of cities and corporations embracing street art as a legitimate form of public decoration and community engagement, while simultaneously addressing concerns about unauthorized graffiti and urban blight.
