Tuesday, July 29, 2025

The world’s best bodypainting artists united in Sterzing for the Camouf...

The medieval town of Sterzing/Vipiteno became the breathtaking stage for the World Bodypainting Festival 2025 Special Edition in Italy, as participants from around the world competed in the World Award Camouflage, thanks to the fantastic support by the town Sterzing/Vipiteno.

Over the course of two vibrant days, thousands of spectators roamed the charming old town in search of human canvases seamlessly blended into historic walls, towers, and artworks. What appeared to be an illusion was, in fact, the result of hours of thorough artistic precision — the human body blended into various backgrounds.

A limited number of 20 selected international artists were able to compete in the World Championship. The locations picked for the competitors were carefully curated by the world-renowned artist and bodypainting illusionist Johannes Stötter, born and living in Sterzing/Vipiteno. He was part of the jury, together with Bulgarian fine art artist and gallery owner Bella Volen, living in Vienna, as well as former World Champion in Camouflage, Olena Semenets, who traveled especially from Kyiv, Ukraine, escaping one of the biggest Russian terrors and finding peace in art, at least for a few days.

Some location highlights were definitely the top of the town’s landmark, the 46m-high tower “Zwölferturm” – it was already a task to get up there with the artists’ equipment. Another challenge was a man in traditional South Tyrolean costume as part of the scenery for the camouflage. Not only the model but also the person in the background had to stand still for the allowed time of 3 hours to complete the challenge. Another spectacular setting was the historical town hall, where a wooden epitaph from 1597, touched with gold, stood as a timeless tribute to South Tyrolean sacred art.

The competition level was so high that it was a very tight race, especially for the top 5 competitors, with only a few points apart.

Special thanks to our partners and sponsors:Town and Tourism Organization ‪@TVsterzing‬ ‪@KryolanOfficial‬ ‪@leitnerropeways2325‬ ‪@BirraFORSTBier‬ 

World Bodypainting Festival official Website:  www.bodypainting-festival.com
WBF Photo Galleries: www.bodypainting.rocks 

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🎥 Filmed by Josh D. Lim
🎬 Edited by Alex Barendregt – @PurpleShiftStudio
🌐 www.purpleshift.studio
📣 Produced by WB Production – www.wb-production.com

#worldbodypainting  #Bodypainting #camouflage #worldchampionship