Thirty years ago, graffiti in Russia existed exclusively illegally. Graffiti artists would paint walls, trains, and industrial zones at night, and their works often didn’t last until morning.
The first «Box» debuted on the grounds of the former «Kristall» factory ten years ago. Back then, street artists gathered more for themselves than for the public—it was a chance not only to sketch freely and hone their skills but also to receive sponsored paint. Over time, the project proved highly successful and evolved into a full-fledged urban initiative, with the cubes—painted by artists year after year—becoming its main symbol.
This year, the festival was supported by ZILART and for the first time took place in the Tufeleva Grove park. Sixteen artists covered four large cubes over two days, and the audience watched the entire process—from the initial outlines to the final details. The project featured Ivan Ninety, Nadya.O, Dusto, Oper.Bomse, Alexey Luka, and other prominent figures from the Russian graffiti scene.
The festival wasn’t limited to object painting. The program featured art battles, music performances, workshops, a market for independent publishing and printmaking, and special projects by artists Alexey Luki, Kirill Burygin, Bassir Fall, and a performance by Grisha. The festival concluded with a large concert headlined by Antokha MS. Anikv, Mesr, and the band «Nedry» also took the stage alongside him.
