Kino Interview X The Message

The Message is proud to introduce you to a certified Finnish graffiti star.
Remember the mid-nineties? Probably not because you are too young but that’s when KINO started
tagging, learning his craft from the walls of his city (the world before Instagram). Fast forward 30
years, and KINO’s still out there with a bunch of good letters, colors, arrows and bubbles. So aspiring
taggers beware, KINO is going to share with you some pearl of knowledge and some of the finest
Suomi pieces you have ever seen. Enjoy!

Hi KINO, it’s a pleasure to have you here at The Message. How and when do you start painting?
It was mid nineties when i painted my first piece. Taking my own space felt so good that I kept
going with painting. No books or internet back then, all the knowledge was on the walls around
me. Didn’t have any idea what tags or pieces meant.

In your opinion, what are the elements that most identify and characterize your style today? And
how has it evolved over the years? Influences?
When I started I liked bubbles and arrows and the endless ways to combine letters. I mean there
is infinite number of ways to create combinations between letters which is interesting.
I use fat caps and stock caps depending on the spot. Also I like to use warehouse paint among
graffiti label paints so my lines are sometimes dirty and sometimes clean. But most likely there are
some bubbles and arrows. The big difference now is I can crank those bubbles and arrows out
way faster. Plus, I got more paint in the stash these days, so I can throw more colors into my stuff.

Can you give us a rundown of the Finnish graff scene today?
Walls are getting painted and freight trains are covered with paint. Sometimes there’s panels
rolling by. Kids are more easy going than the eighties generation. No fuzz and fight. The conflict
between police force and painters has almost vanished instead there is more security guys
running around. “Street art” is getting a lot of positive attention in media while graffiti is ignored.
Penalties are way lighter today.

Can you tell us about your crews and how you joined them?
Lately I met this guy in a bar. He told me that he had heard some rumor about me. Some shit that
I had done that he thought was extremely funny. Well, he didn’t want to tell me what was it about
when I asked him. He just told that now I have earned my membership in their crew forever….
I guess it’s like you do stuff and meet people and at some point you get invited to a crew and then
you meet more people and so on. And do more shit.

In your opinion, what trends are you seeing now in the graffiti world that you don’t like?
I don’t like graffiti memes and painting on homeless people. I might use Insta but I really don’t like
that. It’s okay to paint on people that have homes though. But graffiti memes…

What qualities do you consider essential for a writer?
Bad social skills and fast legs. Rich parents might make things easier when you start. Ability to
concentrate and patience is essential. Passion for the sport.

After so many years in the game, what keeps you going?
It’s the urge to search new spots and see new places. The adventure. Also colorful arrows and
bubbles and an infinite number of combinations.