Alan KET Interview

Bizarre Beyond Belief: As a graffiti artists with years of experience under his belt, can you tell us what fascinated you about the culture in the beginning?

Alan KET: The adventures that writers had and the places that they were painting fascinated me most (tunnels, yards). The complex lettering styles that some writers created were amazing and beautiful.

 

BBB: The culture has clearly evolved since you began, can you describe what you have seen change? 

Alan KET: Well, styles have changed and we seem to be in a place where many writers are painting styles from the 1970s and 1980s. At one point writers wanted to come up with the next style but know it seems that this is the pursuit of a few. Of course I have been around to see it go global, become commodified by corporations looking to be cool, and be finally accepted into the art world as a collectible and real art form.

BBB: Furthermore, do you feel it has evolved for better or for worse?

Alan KET: For the most part I feel that it has evolved for the better. There are so many artists painting today that there is more artistry with all sides of the art form (tags, throw-ups, pieces).

BBB: There are so many different aspects of graffiti (i.e. bombing, piecing etc.), do you feel there is a hierarchy among these practises?

Alan KET: Yes. The hierarchy for me never changed since the 1980s and the pieces still reign supreme. To be able to paint a burner is at the top of the pyramid. I love all aspects but burning shows skill, creativity and a mastery of a letter style.

BBB: Considering you are not only a graffiti artist, but an author, photography, curator. How does your approach to the various fields differentiate?

Alan KET: The work I do no matter what field I am in has to be exceptional. I start there with the desire to create something memorable and good. I do an extensive amount of research with all the projects in the different fields I work in and perhaps I do the least amount of this type of exploration with graffiti so that it doesn’t influence my own style.

BBB: Were these endeavours spawned from graffiti or has there always been an interest in your life in doing something further than graffiti art?

Alan KET: I’ve been interested in books, comics, photography, and many other areas since I was a very young. Graffiti took over my time and life because I feel for it deeply and because it was so much fun. It has enabled me to explore other interests by opening the doors for me to do so. I’m fortunate in this respect and appreciate all that I have learned as an artist as a result.

BBB: You have worked with exceptional individuals and companies, how does the creative process work in a commercial setting compare to that of collaborating on a production with crew-mates?

Alan KET: It takes much longer to make decisions for one. Many times people are unsure of what they want in the commercial setting so its up to me or other creatives to tell them what they want or what to do. In the corporate setting the looseness of graffiti is gone and its replaced with a desire for perfection versus enjoyment. While in the graffiti world, working with other writers is different because there are only creatives involved so there are always lots of ideas and opinions. However things move faster because everyone wants to always paint. 

BBB: Furthermore, working with large corporations can have its impact on the art, how important is it for you to maintain your own creative integrity when working with these brands?

Alan KET: I don’t see it so much as keeping my own creative integrity that is the challenge when working with brands but helping them keep their own creative integrity is. Brands always want to be fresh and adapt to trends but that doesn’t mean they have to copy others. Working with brands its always a challenge to have them realize this and do things in their way, respecting their DNA and brand. There have been times when I have felt that my integrity has been challenged and I just shut it down. There is no need for me to fold when it comes to that. If brands want to copy or create junk that I don’t agree with they don’t need me for that.

BBB: Because many believe graffiti belongs in the streets, do you feel it’s possible to bring it into the gallery and maintain it’s credibility?

Alan KET: It’s not graffiti when it goes into the gallery. It’s art by graffiti writers. It’s art in a graffiti style (for some). It’s possible to maintain its credibility if what is coming indoors is fresh and beautiful. As we get older many writers just can’t afford to keep painting in the streets or on trains and they have to move on. Family, bills, and monotony are a real challenge for writers that have done it all and for those that are gifted. I believe that attempting to have a professional art career is a logical transition for many and I can’t knock it. Artists create the credibility and as long as you have put in work you have it. The gallery world is different anyway and there are new rules once you decide to go that route. Your art credibility needs to be built up in that arena to be successful.

BBB: Graffiti art is a relatively new phenomenon and due to its stigma, it’s not as widely regarded as traditional artistic practises, do you feel it will ever be as accepted as fine-art and photography?

Alan KET: Yes, in time it will be and its happening at a rapid pace. Much faster than it did for photography as fine art for example. In the 40 odd years its been around there have been museum exhibitions, hundreds of gallery shows, commissions, public installations, serious collectors buying it, and a huge fan base; for photography it took 70 years into its invention before the MOMA opened a photography department. The MOMA already has works from writers in their collection now.

BBB: With such a productive and hard working personality, are there any projects, events or collaborations the readers be on the lookout for in the future?

Alan KET: I am working with a slew of artists to launch graffiticollector.com to give people more access to affordable art by graffiti artists that are not looking at the gallery seen as an outlet but still have great art to share. I also have an artist driven brand launching next year with collaborations with some of the best known writers in the world. Stay tuned.

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