The German landscape has changed in recent years, just as it always does. One of these changes being undertaken by many cities is the initiative of mural festivals. the art of creating large format murals that take a semi-permanent place in the DNA of a city. A movement, that not only brings color and life to a place, but as seen in cities such as Heidelberg, Mannheim and Berlin, bring with it a positive outcome for the residents, value adding for visitors, and a space for cultural development for the artistic communities wherever these festivals take place. And now it’s time for Stuttgart to get amongst it.

The inaugural Pfffestival 2022

Stuttgart joins the mural route

In September 2022, the Pfffestival celebrated its inauguration in the creation of 5 large scale murals, an exhibition based around the festival’s achievements, and a printed publication of the event. Curated by Studio Vierkant, the Pfffestival in partnership with Kulturamt Stadt Stuttgart, the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung, the Kunstverein Wagenhalle and Montana Cans, the festival aims to create an annual festival over the next 3 years and beyond.

The DNA of the city

For this the initial year of the event, the torch to be the first was given to a broad spectrum of local and international artists which consisted of Rafael Gerlach (München), Roids (London), Inga Krause (Bremen), Bezt (Lodz) und Marvin Daumüller (Stuttgart). A city known for its ingenuity, innovation and celebration of the arts, it seemed only natural that it too spotlighted art on large scales for its citizens and visitors to enjoy.

Eye catching urban art in large format

That and its blazing graffiti movement which has been spreading color on the city’s walls since the 80s. An idea that bore fruit in 2022 with some eye-catching street, urban, and contemporary art that now stands proud for spectators to enjoy and wonder. 

We look forward to what 2023 holds install for the second annual Pfffestival.

All images by Pfffestival