An interview with the Berlin based graffiti writer who is well known for his extreme spots and distinct style, sharing his personal experiences and views around graffiti as well as stories throughout his life journey.
When and why did you start writing?
I started 10 years ago. It was a kind of freeness and freedom which I never had in the school or private life. I could express myself and put my feelings in my works, and express myself in that way.
What is the story behind Ikarus? Ikarus originally is a Greek legend. I picked up the meaning because I did a 120m building in Berlin and I was almost sued for it. The idea behind the name is not to flit too high, otherwise your wings will burn and you fall.
Where did you get your influence from?
When I started painting the influence came from my city and the pieces I saw around. Later, when I began to do ropeactions, my influence and inspiration came from paradox, who was my teacher in style.
For sure there was also the influence of the internet and social media, which in the time of my generation is normal, but also made a lot of stuff easier and in the same way didn’t let us the possibilty to explore or try things ourselves, like mixing Color or building caps ourselves because everything is already existing.
Why do you use chrome?
I use mainly chrome and black because it shows more the style of letters and don’t hide it behind colours. But this don't devalues pieces or works done with a lot of colours.
What makes a good spot for you?
A good spot is a spot which is visible for a lot of people and which is not being buffed at all or for a long time. The second point for me is more important. It don’t necessarily needs risk to be a good spot, but risk often is a source of pleasure and fun.
How can you describe graffiti in 3 words?
Self expression
Self realisation
Egoism
How does it feel when painting while hanging on ropes?
It feels like being really visible and obvious but in that case often your own perspective is not like seeing the wall from the street. On the rope you have to measure the proportions of the letters in another way than standing on a ground. This was one of the most time taking things to learn in the rope.
Did you come across any accidents while painting high spots?
There was little mistakes like using ropes way too much in the result that the abseiling device is not working good. Several times there was the point right before something happened, but happily we could avoid it.
The craziest experience?
There is not THE craziest experience. But one of the most full filling ones were when 2 friends and me trainsurfed the whole S-train Ring in Berlin at once.
RIP R.
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