This past July, the historic city of Lübeck, Germany, played host to an enthralling celebration of street art and urban contemporary expression: The Urban Art Festival. With its rich tapestry of history and architecture, Lübeck provided the perfect backdrop for an amalgamation of contemporary styles, narratives, and urban visual dialogues.
Diving into the list of participants, one can see a blend of both local and international talents. Each artist brought a unique flair, making every mural a distinctive testament to their artistic prowess. Participating artists were Bond Truluv, Satr, EAS, Force and Friends and Team Hip Hop.
Behind this festival’s inception and smooth execution is a team with a deep-rooted passion for graffiti and urban art. The curators of the International Mural Program – Gerrit Peters, Mirko Reisser, and Heiko Zahlmann – have been stalwarts in the Hamburger graffiti scene since the 1980s. Recognizing the synergy in their visions, they joined forces in the late 1990s to form the artist collective ‘getting-up’. Bringing with them a wealth of experience and diverse expertise in Urban Contemporary Art, this trio ensured that the festival was not just another art event, but an unforgettable experience.
Their efforts bore fruit by bringing together seven mural artists of international repute for Lübeck’s first-ever Urban Art Festival. The city’s streets became a canvas for local, national, and international artists alike, resulting in a vibrant array of contemporary styles and perspectives. This festival offered attendees a chance to witness a dynamic interplay of different styles, actors, and origins.
Copyright photo: Fred Dott