Hello My Name Is: Mosk

Name: Mosk
Crew: YCP
City/Country: Rijeka, Croatia
When did you start writing? 1998.

What’s graffiti for you?
A certain sense of liberty.

Influences?
Music, graffiti, art, film, literature, pop culture, technology, no matter what, influences are drawn from many places, references, categories, well, what would you expect from living in the postmodern age.

Tell us about your city, how is life and graffiti there?
Rijeka is a harbor city, with a perfect geographical position, situated in the north of the Kvarner bay, sorrounded by mountains with warm summers and mild winters. It has a mediterranean easy going, open minded spirit and people, well, mostly. The strong tooth of the latest trends of growing nationalism, fear, prejudice has taken a nasty bite in our country, and some of it can, unfortunatelly, be felt here, but still not as much, Rijeka always stood as an opponent to such negative currencies. That kind of positive, humane mentality certainly helped to shape the city as a welcoming place to everyone who wants to come. Here used to be a graffiti scene, and now we have several graffiti enthusiasts, aficionados who keep the flame from burning out. But the city always had a vital rock and alternative music, art & literature scene, and still does. Rijeka will be the European Capital of Culture in 2020. and we’ll see what kind of changes it will bring, I’m hoping for the best ones.

What keeps you still writing?
As long as I can see that there is a progress to be made in my work, I will keep going. And yeah, I still absolutely love it.

What first made you interested in graffiti and how did you end up on that track?
Walking to school and seeing some kinds of graffiti and tags, but I was to young to decipher what was so interesting in it and why was it so attractive to me. Now, I guess, it was something unknown but in a strange way familiar to me. The energy of the swift execution, the immediacy whilst painting. I think, soon after I started painting, related to that because big part of my personality functions that way. In short version- I like to think about the problem, hence I sketch a lot, and when it comes to executioning I like to paint fast, energetic. At least from my point of view.

What trends are you seeing now in the graffiti world that you don’t like?
Trends always happened, and will happen in everything, as well in graffiti. It’s a circle of life and time is the best judge.

What do you do when you’re not painting?
Playing with my bands, listening to music, reading books, cooking, hanging out, just everyday stuff.

How would you describe your style?
Music played an important role in developing something that can be maybe described as, my style. In the last seven or eight years vintage classic rock, as well as its sub genres such as progressive, blues and hard rock, psychedelia and the whole aesthetics of album covers, made an impact on my creative ways. I see my graffiti as I love my rock’n’roll, classic but with many twists.

Can you remember the first piece you did?
It was late autumn in 1998., I was fifteen years old. Sketches were carefully being made months in advance. Money for cans was saved form all sides. I’ve waited for the perfect weather conditions. Every detail was being planned ahead. It was like I was an astronaut on my first mission to the Moon. The day came, I was fully equipped with three full cans. And there I went. Two hours later, and to my surprise, the result was barely resembling the initial sketch. I could’ve stopped right there.

Future plans?
To go on, inspite of everything and no matter what.

Do you adapt your pieces and tags to the spot/surface?
Of course, the moment I start working on any surface I, unconciouslly at least, adapt to it.

What do you think about the new generation of writers in your city?
If they have something fresh and new to offer, it will reflect, and they will be seen, soon, I believe.

What are the best and worst aspects of graffiti?
Love, hopes, evolution vs hate, fears, bigotry. As in everything, the universal problems.

Who do you paint for?
For the sheer thrill of it.

What writers have inspired you?
From friends who, for reasons unknown, still paint and hang out with me and support me, to numerous classic style writers, muralists and other creative and innovative graffiti artists.

Can you ever feel tired of graffiti?
Luckily I do. And when it happens I put them aside for awhile, and take a book, play guitar, put on some music or go jogging. Clear my head, and then I’m ready to go again, unsaturated and refreshed.

What do you hope people will think and feel when they see your stuff?
What is that?

FIVE FAVORITES
Spray Paint: Montana Black
City: Rijeka
Markers/pens: Black ball pen, pencil, black marker
Surface: Whatever so far.
Cap: Fat cap, skinny sometimes…

Instagram: @Mosk83