Cryptik

Posted on Wednesday, 21 July 2010 by Benny

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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