There’s a pest problem in the city. And no, it’s not rats, or pigeons, or even wild boar. It’s something far more… sedentary. You might walk past one every day and not even notice. Folded up under a tree, leaning drunkenly against a wall or lurching dangerously towards the bike path, the street-side mattresses that litter the sidewalks of Berlin have an ungainly presence in the city. But, like all unwanted creatures, it’s not their fault.
They were domesticated once, with loving owners, before being abandoned to the streets where they stay, slowly deteriorating in sun and rain, largely unnoticed by the general population – until Instagram account @matresses_of_berlin began giving our foam friends some overdue attention. Run by German creatives Michael J Heinrich and Mel Müller, the ongoing documentation is a playful celebration of jettisoned mattresses in Berlin and beyond. We caught up with the cushion chroniclers to see what made them spring into action.
They interact with light, or their position resembles a human gesture – in the end, it is a kind of artistic still life.
What inspired you to start the account? Was there a mattress that started it all?
Mel Müller: Everything started with our dog, Maybe. This meant we were going out for longer walks than usual, often with good friends. We noticed that more and more mattresses were lying around. I grew up in Neukölln, but I can’t remember anyone “losing” their mattress when I was a child. We asked each other, “Who really thought that someone else would have use for them?” One day, Michael stood in front of a mattress and said, “Today is the day,” and set up the account.
And now you’ve been running it since 2017. What keeps you coming back for more mattresses? What is it about them that fascinates you?
Michael J Heinrich: Sometimes there are nicely arranged objects [around them], some have graffiti or interesting patterns. They interact with light, or their position resembles a human gesture – in the end, it is a kind of artistic still life.
Do you have a favourite piece of mattress graffiti?
MM: The mattress on the 2024 European elections day: “J’ai pas de murs” [“I have no walls”].
MJH: The Happy Mattress, December 19, 2024.
I know you occasionally accept submissions from other cities, but it does feel like there’s something very Berlin about the constant presence of pavement mattresses. What do you think that says about the city?
MJH: I guess in central Berlin, there are many younger people and students, and when they decide to move in or out together, there is always one “person” who is left behind: the mattress.
Mattresses are a notoriously difficult item to get rid of or recycle – few people want a secondhand mattress, even if you’re getting rid of a really nice one. Do you think there’s a better way?
MM: … and they are notoriously difficult to carry around. You can call official numbers to let them pick [it] up, you can take a share car to bring it to a garbage dump. Some companies have a service that when you order a new one, they take the old one with them.
Do you think that removing the street mattresses would take something away from the vibe of the city?
MM: Berlin has a nice sense of black humour. It’s not too critical, mostly open-minded, and has an arty vibe. Berlin stands for culture: modern art, music and club culture. That’s the reason why people come to our vibrant city. What kills the vibe [is not the mattresses but] the budget cuts to Berlin’s cultural sector … and drunk and aggressive tourists.
When scrolling through your feed, I felt there was something a bit melancholy about all of the abandoned mattresses. Do you want to inspire a specific emotion in your work?
MJH: The presence of abandoned mattresses can indeed evoke a sense of melancholy, as they often symbolise neglect and the passage of time. While we don’t aim to inspire a specific emotion, we do hope to provoke thought and reflection in our audience. Emotions can vary greatly from person to person, and I find beauty in that diversity. The mood that is interpreted into it is somewhat up to the viewer.
The presence of abandoned mattresses can indeed evoke a sense of melancholy.
I was surprised to see a video from Art Basel on your Instagram that featured an art installation that looked like a mattress showroom. Do you consider your account to be poking fun at the modern art world, or do you view it as modern art in and of itself?
MM: I studied art. I would never make fun of an artist, but art should be reflected upon and not taken too seriously at times. Culture and art are part of our lives. When I saw this room at Art Basel, I was completely excited. There are also a few more artists who work with mattresses: Thomas Möcker, Mohamed Bourouissa, Kerstin von Gabain and Tim Eitel have painted them – just to name a few.
Has this project, and the act of paying attention to ordinary things, changed the way you look at this city?
MJH: Yes, the project and mindfulness for everyday things have definitely changed my perspective on the city. By focusing on the small details, I often discover beauty and meaning in aspects that I previously overlooked. It’s fascinating how the perception of familiar places and moments can deepen when you pay more attention to them. This new viewpoint allows me to experience and appreciate the city in a completely different way – and every friend who sent us pics.
What’s next for the account? Do you have any new plans?
MJH: At the moment, it is just fun.
- Follow on IG @matresses_of_berlin
