Hello My Name Is: Dee Inca

Name: Dee Inca / Cain One
City/Country: Amsterdam
When did you start writing? I did my first piece in 1989.

What’s graffiti for you?
A constant challenge and loads of fun.

Influences?
New York, Amsterdam/Paris, Berlin.

Tell us about your city, how is life and graffiti there?
Amsterdam is a nice place, interesting historical background, always something happening. Graffiti wise I don’t find the scene that interesting these days. It once was a graffiti capital but lost that title quite some time ago in my opinion. Damn shame for a city with such a deep history in graffiti culture.

What keeps you still writing?
The love for bending letters and the ongoing search for discovering new directions in doing that. I also still keep surprising myself, with my own work. That has always been very important to me. If I think that I’ve already seen my own pieces it’s a cue to step up.

What first made you interested in graffiti and how did you end up on that track?
In the 80’s most guys at school had a marker, just writing silly stuff in and around school, not really knowing about graffiti. Then this new guy brought Subway Art and Spraycan Art with him. All the answers were there!

What trends are you seeing now in the graffiti world that you don’t like?
If I have to I can enjoy most stuff with a fill and an outline but what I really don’t like is people repeating themselves by more or less painting the same piece/design over and over again. To me that’s all about being afraid of failure and just playing it safe. Safe people are boring. Failure supports progress!

How would you describe your style?
Post 80’s-Amsterdam/Paris Electro-rock-future-shock.

Can you remember the first piece you did?
Absolutely! I wish I could relive that moment once again. That special feeling about the new, the unknown. Pitch black night, not really knowing where I should aim that cap precisely, then seeing the end result the next day. Magic!

Future plans?
Sure.

Do you adapt your pieces and tags to the spot/surface?
Not really but lately I like to paint walls with a limited amount of space. This way I really have to compress the design to make the piece fit. It’s very rewarding because you’ll come up with a composition, layering and connections you wouldn’t sketch otherwise. I really like to set such limitations to push myself into other directions.

What do you do when you’re not painting?
Work. Eat. Sleep.

What do you think about the new generation of writers in your city?
Dunno. Some good, some not, I guess. What I don’t see is a new movement that really wants to push things further from previous generations.

What are the best and worst aspects of graffiti?
Not sure if there are any negatives sides other than possible health issues or some occasional ego clash. Many positive aspects though. Friendship being the best one. Also visiting urban outskirts and being in situations you would have never visited or experienced when not writing.

Who do you paint for?
I would lie when I say I’m not sensitive to compliments (or criticism for that matter) but I write for myself. Can’t be bothered too much with other peoples opinions unless its constructive, because I do appreciate a good discussion about the meaning of it all.

What writers have inspired you?
Way too much to mention. The New York and Amsterdam/Paris 80’s scene as a whole for sure. Also the 90’s Berlin scene. If I have to mention one writer it would be Dondi: Style Master General. And Serch, for his dedication and advocating anything graffiti related.

Can you ever feel tired of graffiti?
Sure, but the feeling doesn’t last long.

What do you hope people will think and feel when they see your stuff?
That they feel the dedication behind it.

FIVE FAVORITES
Spray Paint: Any. Spraypaint brands are not part of your success or failure.
City: Berlin
Markers/pens: Wacom-tablet pen, strictly digital 
Surface: Concrete
Cap: Stock and skinny

Instagram: @Incacain 
Facebook: Facebook.com/dee-inca

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