Urban Art meets Tennis
A comprehensive visual concept was developed for the Steffi Graf Stadium in Berlin for the WTA 500 tournament bett1open. The central idea was to combine the energy of an international tennis tournament with the urban language of Berlin.
The existing concrete surfaces of the stadium became the canvas. Large-format, minimalist depictions of female tennis players in action meet fine, dynamically arranged stripes in red and white. The concrete surface forms a deliberate contrast to the graphic elements and gives the design its urban character in the style of tape art.
This resulted in a visual language that combines tennis and urban art. The players are depicted in motion, conveying speed, tension, and concentration. The focus is not on individual stars, but on the energy of the athletes and the sport as a whole.
An overall concept for the tournament
The various wall surfaces were developed as a cohesive design concept. The individual motifs differ, but follow a common visual language.
The colors of bett1 and the color scheme of the Steffi Graf Stadium form the basis of the overall concept. A linear yet dynamic design structure extends from the entrance area to the stands, graphically reflecting the movements of a tennis match.
This creates a visual thread that runs through the entire event. The art becomes part of the tournament's atmosphere and gives the event its own unique identity.
The trophy as part of the visual world
The winner's trophy was also incorporated into the design concept. A specially designed trophy was created for the tournament. At the same time, the trophy became a standalone piece of artwork on one of the wall surfaces.
This makes the moment of victory part of the artistic design. The motif connects the sporting highlight of the tournament with the visual language of the project.
A piece of Berlin in the stadium
The combination of concrete and street art perfectly reflects the character of the city. The minimalist design of the stadium meets the urban language.
The large concrete surfaces are reminiscent of Berlin's public spaces and create a natural connection to the city. At the same time, they meet the clean lines of the tennis court and the movement of the sport.
The result is a unique visual world for the bett1 open. Urban art, tennis, and Berlin flair merge into a common language that connects the tournament with the character of the city.
Project information
customer
bett1 open
project
Urban Tennis
style
Tape Art
format
visual event staging
Areas of responsibility
Concept, art direction, project management, artistic implementation
Artistic participation in the implementation
Claas Selck, Stephan van Kuyk
Photo credits
Lamia Michna
other projects
ITB Späti
City Beats
Rolling Religion
Railroad Tycoon