Project educate - Interview Opek-one

Sep 11, 20129 min read

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kiwi-pdd

Published: Sep 11, 2012

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is a an artist with a very individual style.
One that certainly stands out from the mold and stands alone.

What name do you go under, and what are it's origins?

Gosh, …. (long pause) to me ( and FOR me) .. a name is an excuse.. An excuse for something to draw/paint/ create when you want to do so but lack ideas…
I’ve had many names, some had zero meaning, some had tons of meaning; my current name… is.. just me. It is just a formulation of all of my circumstances, visions, past, dreams, and feelings. But less of an identity; and more as an emotion.. AT this point it’s sooo hard to explain.. But to me a name is NOTHING, everything is nothing; yet nothing is EVERYTHING. If someone was to study my art, I hope they should be able to pick my creations out of a crowd; based more so on style and message; than on visible name. That‘s just my old age speaking .. I can’t say that I’ve always felt that way.

What form of street art do you make?

I don't make street-art. I make art. I am not a painter. I paint. ART IS the MOMENT in which the thoughts within our minds transcend into this spectrum. Art is a feeling. Not an object, not to be owned or possessed. It is purely ephemeral.

How would you describe you particular style of graffiti?

Creation in any form, makes me happy. In eighth grade as my excuses for drawing pictures were growing thin, I found graffiti. At the same time, I was accepted to a private art school. Being immersed into a culture of folks that appreciated art in all forms reminded me of where I had come from; full circle. In short, I felt/ feel as though I use a name as my initial excuse to continue physical creation; just a starting point. A name starts a shape; repetition of shapes, slightly varied over time creates style. When this style is applied to whatever medium I’m are working with …. THAT IS MY GRAFFITI STYLE.
No name…JUST STYLE; expression

My style is just an interpretation of me … clean, classy, educated and respectful of roots; yet mixed with absolute trust in myself, my shortcomings, and my limitations. Controlled explosiveness.

What medium do you use?

LIFE; on this plain is my canvas. When I ride my bike, it is my brush; the streets are my canvas; the cars are the obsticals which I must incorporate yet not allow to comprimise my path, idea or destination; I must work with them and involve them. Like it or not.

I might make a beat, dj a set, paint an all-day piece, draw a picture at home, climb a mountain or cut a fence and sneak into a highly secure area. At no point is there a boundary between that which is 'considered' art and that which IS NOT.

ART IS CREATION; in any form which can be sensed within our plain of existence. Like I said: ART IS EPHIMERAL.

How did you get into street art?

When we were kids we dreamt of building tree-houses beyond our imagination. I'm sure that a vast amount of us at this point headed to the forrest with nails, boards, hammers and friends in tow. Upon arrival to the chosen tree, we would realize that our envisioned plans would be extremely far fetched; with out the use of heavy equipment, chainsaws and just short of a miracle to build. Nonetheless, we climbed, built, hammered and screwed in boards; to our hearts content. We try and combine our original vision of the perfect tree-house and our given/ chosen environment. Thus, our building skills plus our environment ( at the given time) PLAY A MAJOR factor in the final outcome. This moment then, and now, CREATES A "RARELY" FELT FORM OF INTIMACY; between ourselves and our environment. This moment of feeling is what I lust after when I do ANYTHING outside. Let us all with our own styles and even more so, with the collaboration of others; create a place which exemplifies our connection with our environment, our peers and most of all our connection within ourselves. Mentally, I still imagine, plan and persue and exicute the perfect tree house.

Are you a member of a crew, and what would you consider to the plus and down sides of being in one?

2econd Nature >> life baby!!! FTA; and our group we used to work a name in my old town when was little 80-HD just ‘cos we were little ADD/ADHD f**kers

Where do you stand on the art/vandalism divide?

Would it p**s you off????

I try and weigh anything I do on a balance scale. Everything has it’s place. Other than the law, I have NEVER been caught by someone who didn't say & "WOW !! That's really nice. To bad it's illegal"; or something of the such.

I generally try and beautify areas; I don't paint private/ personal property (though many dispute with me as to what is private or personal property). I have never been caught by a civilian and had them be upset ( therefore there REALLY IS a general understanding of what is really public) That is not to say that I'm innocent. Some vandalism really carries a message and has it's place.. But in my opinion, most vandalism to me seems to be kids whom have a need to identify with a culture. These kids go out and place first time or first understanding tags on private business, personal property and items which would totally upset anyone of us. So, come on kids!!! FAME IS ONLY A SHORTCUT TO SELF APPROVAL.. If you love what you do, you will do it regardless protect it, covet, and support it. To me vandals are not typically artists. Yet, becoming extinct in this era of vandals are the folks trying to illicit a message; I'm not saying that vandals are in-experienced artist or those lacking a message; all things have their place..

Respect what you do; respect the others around you; yet do what you do so you so that those in the future can to keep doing it (better and hopefully more freely and less-inhibited). Sometimes vandalism is needed in order to create change; but I feel ART (even if ephemeraly) is respected and appreciated.

Have you ever been in trouble with the law yourself over your street art?

Yea hella, I just got popped again in fact.. I would rather not incriminate myself but I have defiantly put in my share at the poke over the last 15 years. I get so frustrated at the efforts and risks that must be taken that I could really see myself being a big political advocate for our movement, in the future.. Once I settle down myself.

How important is it for you for your art to have message?

My art definitely has a message… F**K YOU! Leave me alone; do your own thing; and we should be fine. LOL as rough as that sounds I’m an easy going Lebowski.

In order of importance how would you rate the following? Skill, Tools, Location, Size, Guts.

Trust your feelings, intuitions and most of all…. Just get the job done. Everything is relevant.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the scene today?

BE YOURSELF.. It’s so cliché these days to try and BE A GRAFFITI ARTIST. If you are trying to be the latter, you have already been left behind. There is no boundaries anymore. If you feel artistic, you’re already an artist; now all you have to do… is SOMETHING! ANYTHING!… Let us not limit our creativities with definition constraints.

Be sure to go and check out the rest of his gallery for even more amazing art work.
A big thanks to

for taking part.