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Last Updated: Jul 14th, 2009 - 11:56:30 |
Hip-hop culture is a big part of our lives. It determines how some people dress, talk to each other and act in various situations. A lot of times, though, we are only exposed to the perspectives of Americans toward hip-hop. We don’t know much about the attitude toward hip hop in other countries. Kapi is a graffiti artist based in Spain who has done work everywhere in the world. He’s worked with the likes of Seen, a profound graffiti artist in New York City. This interview covers one view what’s on the other side of the pond.
So what inspired you to become a graffiti artist?
I was connecting to the hip-hop culture (as most people in 80’s in Europe ) through break-dance. I started breaking in ‘84 and met the other elements that also became very interesting for me. So in ‘86 (Christmas 1985) The Subway Art Book [by Martha Cooper] came to my hands and finally I understood how graffiti worked. I was 15 so I was a good age to start bombing. The thing is that since I started in ‘86 I never stopped painting, I had a lot of activity during my early years because it was the only thing I had. My friends were my motivation to keep tagging so that was the reason that in early 90’s I was well-known on the scene. I was one of the elders already and I was pushing the scene doing big things, like opening a graffiti shop, doing a magazine and making graffiti events.
What other artists or what things do you look at when your doing your work?
I mainly like to see what other graffiti writers who paint on my style, do. We feed on each other I guess. I am not into other graffiti styles (like street art, stickers and so). I like to see wild styles. Everything that comes from the original NY 80’s subways. Everything developed from that point is interesting for me. There are great letter artists nowadays that I have in mind, for example, Dare (Switzerland), Bates (Denmark), all the guys from my German crew (The Chosen Few), Ces (NY) and many more. I like the way these guys "destroy" the letters. I am not very influenced by these elements or any other things lately. Maybe music or cinema are the ones that give me some ideas.
How often do you practice a day and how much of your stuff gets thrown away, if any?
I don’t practice normally. I had very intensive years when I was painting weekly and other years when I was drawing 100 sketches to develop my name’s letters but also I like to rest for long periods of time. For example, last year I did not paint anything besides a few jobs. That’s good because now I feel I want to go again and do some developing and maybe go to the next step in my style. I do b-boying also and DJ so I’ve been practicing with these things lately more then graffiti. But one thing to mention is that I like to have some black books near to do tagging, and write letters, but mostly just to develop my tag style, I got to keep it warm.
How much trouble do you have with putting up your graffiti? Are the cops always on you?
I don’t have a big problem ever doing graffiti. I learned from subway artists. I did recognize that to be hidden and "clean" was kind of an obligation. At first we were just the guys painting in Barcelona and we started off like that. We made sure we kept the yards clean so we could hit spots again. So I always had the fact that I had to take care of everything before doing anything illegal. . I had to run many times (from yards mainly) and I had to spend a few hours in police stations but I was safe (no real proofs). Nothing big ever happened. Now I don’t really paint illegally and when I do (bombing for example) I don’t use my name KAPI.
What has been your favorite piece in the past when looking back on it?
Hard to say man. There are several pieces that are important to me because of the moment. For example in 2002 I did a piece in an exhibition in Madrid together with Seen (NY) and others. I did some new styles and techniques that I had never tried before. After that piece everything changed. It was a new beginning. Nowadays I am still using the same technique. Also I did a piece in Chicago in 2007. (The link is http://kapi.burnemall.com/writerz/k/ka/kap/kapi/6kapichic07.jpg). I like this one a lot, but mainly because it was one of the last. Normally, more recent pieces are what I like the most. It’s a good sign for me that tells me I am developing and growing.
How often do you collaborate with other artists?
Whenever I can. I’ve been painting alone lately but I didn’t used to. In the past when some friend would come to visit me I would love to share a wall with them. It’s inspiring and it also feels good to have some competition.
If you could work with anyone other tagger in the world who would it be?
I’ve painted with almost all of my favorite writers out there. Of course I would do it all again. I haven’t shared a wall with Bates or Ces yet.
What musical artists are you listening to right now?
I am listening Maggotron - Mission Electro (2007 release). I do Electro Funk so I listen to what others do to be inspired and feel some competition.
What did you think about Obama becoming president?
Everybody here in Europe feels some release. Bush was a really hard, evil man doing [stuff] everywhere but mainly in your country. To many people, it seems like you all are going backwards in many senses... I think Obama is trying to put back some "humanity" into politics there in the USA. At least it’s what he says and what he is showing right now. Let’s see...
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