EVERFRESH:BLACKBOOK
THE STUDIO & STREETS: 2004–2010
OFFICIAL LAUNCH PARTIES

Featuring the official release of the Limited Edition ‘EVERFRESH: BLACKBOOK’, artists signings, installation artworks, limited edition photographic prints by
Josh Robenstone & live DJ’s.

MELBOURNE: Friday 03 September, 2010. 6-11pm
1000 £ Bend, 361 Lt Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.
WWW.EVERFRESHSTUDIO.COM

SYDNEY: Friday 10 September, 2010. 6-9pm
aMBUSH Gallery, 4A James Street, Waterloo.
WWW.AMBUSHGALLERY.COM

TOKYO: Friday 24 September, 6-9pm
PLMLIS Gallery
WWW.PLSMIS.COM
5 minutes walk from Omotesando, exit A4
(see website for map)

Big shout out to Cryptik for keeping it real and spreading the truth, take note of what is said, learn from this shit!

Firstly, thank you for your time, what’s been happening?

Mosdef, thank you for the opportunity. Mostly been busy trying to get some new work ready for the streets.

For those who are unfamiliar with you and what you do, can you tell us a bit about yourself and walk us through your typical day?

Well, I represent the CRYPTIK movement, which is essentially a campaign for the evolution of Consciousness. Most of my work revolves around concepts dealing with the unexplainable or the mysterious. I’m into ideas that don’t easily fit into any scientific paradigms, e.g., Out of Body Experience (OBE), Astral Projection, UFO’s, Mystical experience, etc… My interests range from Carl Jung’s Archetypes, to Timothy Leary’s Eight Circuits of Consciousness, to the Magick of Aleister Crowley. Typically, you can find me down in the lab, printing or painting…otherwise, I’m out on the streets putting in work.

Do you think where you grew up has had an effect on your style today?

Without a doubt. The only graffiti I saw growing up was gang graffiti, mostly cholo writing. There weren’t any colorful pieces or murals even. Everything was done in black, from tags to blocks. I was always intrigued by the letters themselves though. It was like a secret language, known only amongst the initiated. It’s been an obsession of mine ever since.

Do you put any thought in to trying to achieve a particular reaction from people when they view your work, what do you want people to go away thinking after they have seen a Cryptik piece?

I’m mostly concerned with putting the ideas out there. If they go away thinking anything at all, I think I’d be content…but ultimately, the goal is to get people to start questioning their entire belief system. I don’t want to tell anyone what they should believe in, in fact, it’s really the antithesis of what I’m trying to accomplish. For me, the beauty is when people are able to make their own connections and interpretations.

You have one of the most mind blowing and beautiful hand styles that i have ever come across, how did you develop this style?

GIVE THANKS! I really appreciate that. I was definitely influenced by all the cholo graffiti I saw as a kid. By junior high school I started getting into Old English, practicing Calligraphy, and tagging, of course. As I got older, I began to study the ancient scripts like, Arabic and Sanskrit, where the “Word” was considered “Sacred” and had magical powers.

Buddhist, Tibetan and Eastern imagery feature heavily in your work, does such imagery hold any personal significance or meaning to you? If so do you feel that people have trouble seeing past the images that you present them with to their true meaning?

I’m actually not a very Religious person, but of all the world Religions I feel that Buddhism is the least “Religious,” there is no God! Buddhism is essentially a study of the mind, a Philosophy. It gets the closest at explaining the nature of reality, as well as, Consciousness, which is still a mystery to modern science. Also, I felt that “Eastern Philosophy” would be a good place to start considering most people are somewhat familiar, or at least comfortable with the idea. I’m sure people just assume it’s a Buddhist Movement, or that I must be Buddhist. It’ll be interesting to see what connections they make once we move into more esoteric philosophies.

Why Cryptik? What, if any, are the philosophies behind the name?

I think the fact that we’re the only symbol using species on this planet says it all. From Prehistoric cave paintings, to pictograms, to ideograms, to words, to symbols…our language has not only created a new dimension of time/history, it has actually created the very fabric of our reality. It’s impossible to have a single thought without using words, so in that regard, we’re also limited by our language. I’m interested in finding ways to communicate outside of any linguistic constructs.

What inspires you to go out and do your thing?

I don’t think people ask enough questions. I want to challenge people to think about other possibilities…to question everything they believe in. I want to offer people a broader philosophy of life that encompasses all religions, cultures, and belief systems.

I’ve seen a lot of your stickers and posters, what’s your preferred way of getting up?

I don’t know if I prefer one way over the other. They both serve the same purpose, but you obviously reach more people with posters, although stickers seem to stay up longer, tough call…

What’s in your pockets right now?

Stickers, chisel-tip marker, and 2 Quarters exactly!

What have you been reading, listening to and watching lately?

Reading: Supernatural: Graham Hancock, Moksha: Aldous Huxley, The Singularity: Ray Kurzweil
Listening: Flying Lotus, The Gaslamp Killer, Gonja Sufi, Kutmah, Ras G…
Watching: LIFE series

To the general public and authorities, there is a very fine line between what is considered art and what is considered vandalism and/or crime, I know of one case where a writer got a longer jail sentence than a rapist on the same day of sentencing, what are you thoughts on that?

I think they should spend their energy looking for child molesters, murderers, and rapists…nuff said.

What are five things that you always pack with you on your travels?

1. Stickers
2. Sketchbook
3. Laptop
4. Camera
5. Cannabis

We live in turbulent times, what are your views on the world and society today?

I think we’re in real big trouble. This dominator, materialist, consumer culture we live in has put a price on everything, including Nature herself. We have forgotten our intimate connection with the earth and with all life on this planet, for that matter. We’ve been deceived into believing that our value comes from the things we own, rather than the values we hold. This has only succeeded in perpetuating our false egos, deepening the illusion of separateness, and the continued destruction of the earth. I believe we’re at a very critical juncture in the evolution of our species…either we Evolve, or DIE.

Advice to up and coming artists?

Do what you’re good at and keep doing it better.

Anything coming up that we should know about?

I’m in the process of getting a body of work together for the first series, Eastern Philosophy/Mysticism. Hopefully, I’ll get the opportunity to share that with you all soon.

Word association, you know the deal, say whatever comes to your mind when you read the word.

Australia – Someday…
Kevin Rudd – Who?
America – OBESE
Obama – Big Brother
England – Stonehenge
The Queen – BORING…
Legal – Any day
Illegal – ALL DAY!
Religion – Division
Time – Space
Greed – Babylon
Humanity – Equality
Peace – UP
Freedom – Fighter
Art – Crime
Graffiti – Art
Life – Death
Happiness – Eternal

Where can people follow what you’re up to and view your work?

www.cryptik.com

Cryptik Says:

“Open Up That Third Eye, Before I Open It For You!”

Another week another feature artist here at This Life, and damn, Scott Move is one hell of an artist, check what he has to say, and take note about what he says about the World and Society today – Spot on.

On another note, everyone who hasn’t done so stay posted to the This Life facebook and twitter pages for exclusive news, pics and free shit, we’ve got some pretty cool stuff in the mix, so stay tuned!

Facebook

Twitter

I never really thought I was talented, its just been something I was always encouraged to do. My mum always used to tell me to “do something creative every day” and i try to. I just like drawing and seeing something coming to life without too many glaring mistakes. I only wish I could actually make a living from creating art but unfortunately I have to work in construction by day to pay the bills. i did go to college for a while but it was rubbish. I really dont want to draw apples thanks. Working for the man truely sucks, but I can’t draw things fast enough or have enough customers to make my living that way. Hopefully I can push myself harder and make the jump, but right now I need to pay my rent. And my phone bill.

I love all sort of art and artists. Theres amazing stuff everywhere and from all eras, but my favourate artist really is Francis Bacon. He was amazing and simply didn’t give a fuck what anyone thought. I’m into anything that comes from the heart and looks cool. I’m not so much into computer made art as I cant really relate to it.

Yep. Black ink. I draw everything in pencil first and colour it with black ink. Mainly with Sakura pens as they are tough as fuck and the ink is really good. I can’t stand those rotring pens, they’re just a load of expensive messy shit. I do like painting too but i much prefer the meditation and time killing of drawing. I can happily spend hours and hours drawing away, but i get bored painting after ten minutes. Maybe beacuse I’m crap at it hahaha….

What’s been blasting through your headphones lately?

My ideal world is being able to draw all day and night drinking coffee and listening to music, which is what I was doing during my three month hiatus from work. If i could live that way I would be a happy man. I might even draw something nice for a change. Recently Ive been listening to a lot of doom, like Lord Vicar, St. Vitus and Yob. I’ve been overdosing on the Black Pyramid album too, I cant get enough of that band. Also a band from the UK called Moloch, who are brilliant. I urge you to check them out. I also love real Hip Hop like Non Phixion, Tribe, Jeru and Artifacts. Not that watered down pop shit from the radio. I do love a bit of dubstep too, especially good mixes and stuff…

Every piece I finish without fucking it up is an accomplishment for me really. Ive never exhibited anywhere or anything. This interview is probably the best thing Ive done. Although Im sure I sound like a boring twat.

Advice to aspiring artists?

Learn Photoshop and Illustrator.

I would love to get my act together and have a small exhibition somewhere, with some decent artists to draw people in, and they could glance past my stuff on the way out.

Australia – spiders

Kevin Rudd – prime minister

Religion- lies

Time – won’t wait

Greed – money

Humanity – is there any?

Peace – see above

Freedom – too expensive

Art – meditiation

Life – precious

Happiness – Black Sabbath

You can check my myspace page or my blog. I write terrible explainations of my work there and general nonsense…
Isawnothing.blogspot.com

Last words, shout outs?

Id like to thank Thslfe.com for asking me to do this, i really appreciate it. If I had anything awesome and profound to say I’d say it now, but I don’t. Just think of that famous quote from Ferris Beullers Day Off or something that Bill Hicks would have said.