Lady.k's Adventures in moscowland
In February Paris-based graffiti artist Lady. K visited Moscow again: for more than two weeks, the center was full of her ultra-wide tags, and the train lines, cars and walls were covered with pieces that has original French charm. The productivity of the trip broke all records when it became clear — all these endless actions were preceded by something that was kept in secret until the last moment. Over the course of several days at «Notfoundgallery», Lady. K was preparing an immersive exhibition inspired by Lewis Carroll's «Alice in Wonderland»: almost all gallery walls were covered with a single artistic plot, pulling a thread from the beginning to the end of the story.
Before the exhibition, we talked with Lady. K about the hectic life of the French graffiti scene of the 90's and its heroes, numerous memories from that era and amusing cases from the police commissariat.
Before the exhibition, we talked with Lady. K about the hectic life of the French graffiti scene of the 90's and its heroes, numerous memories from that era and amusing cases from the police commissariat.
LADY.K'S ADVENTURES IN MOSCOWLAND
In February Paris-based graffiti artist Lady. K visited Moscow again: for more than two weeks, the center was full of her ultra-wide tags, and the train lines, cars and walls were covered with pieces that has original French charm. The productivity of the trip broke all records when it became clear — all these endless actions were preceded by something that was kept in secret until the last moment. Over the course of several days at «Notfoundgallery», Lady. K was preparing an immersive exhibition inspired by Lewis Carroll's «Alice in Wonderland»: almost all gallery walls were covered with a single artistic plot, pulling a thread from the beginning to the end of the story.
Before the exhibition, we talked with Lady. K about the hectic life of the French graffiti scene of the 90's and its heroes, numerous memories from that era and amusing cases from the police commissariat.
Before the exhibition, we talked with Lady. K about the hectic life of the French graffiti scene of the 90's and its heroes, numerous memories from that era and amusing cases from the police commissariat.
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What did I think when I saw the first graffiti?
The most vivid impression was when I studied in CM2 at the age of 11 (an analogue of the Russian fifth grade). I returned home after the holidays, and saw «BLACK DRAGON» written on a white wall. It was a real piece, more than just writing. BLACK DRAGON were 80's «skin hunters», for those who did not like foreigners, for fascists. They had constant encounters between them. All the BLACK DRAGON's were black except one of them who was white, his name was Shuck Two, this is a French graffitist.
The most vivid impression was when I studied in CM2 at the age of 11 (an analogue of the Russian fifth grade). I returned home after the holidays, and saw «BLACK DRAGON» written on a white wall. It was a real piece, more than just writing. BLACK DRAGON were 80's «skin hunters», for those who did not like foreigners, for fascists. They had constant encounters between them. All the BLACK DRAGON's were black except one of them who was white, his name was Shuck Two, this is a French graffitist.
What made you pick up the can?
I first picked up the can in 1991, when I was already in the 7th grade (12-13 years old). It was a spray can that belonged to my grandfather, and together with my friend we went to put some tags on our tutors car.
What was the Paris scene like in those years?
I lived outside the city, the scene was different. And everyone came to Paris, because the metropolitan scene was more developed. I was fascinated by Zantz's works done in my area. Stalingrad was a legendary place of those years, but i never gone, I'm not enought passioned by writing for that, or I'm too young, or both. People came from everywhere to draw. Although I did not draw there. From 11 to 17 years old, I was more interested in contemporary art than writing. I really started painting in the 1997s ... Of course, from that time until today, I am more interested in writing.
When I was younger, my city was clean, neat. Small pavilions, small buildings. And suddenly, among them, I began to notice letters that were easy to write. At first, there were 2-3 tags in the whole city — one at the station, and one at the roller shutters.
And when I looked at the fonts of other guys, like Skore 79, I thought: «How can they do it so cool?» They knew how to draw figurative, while they deduced beautiful letters. My visual perception was influenced, of course, by Zantz and MODE2, as well as Gothic and ancient English calligraphy. When I was 12, I wasn't looking for graffiti magazines, I was just looking for font information. I had several magazines and videos about writing, and it seems to me that my inspiration came from people like MODE2. There are no specific cases where there were some idols that I watched. But these guys surprised me. I also paid attention to the Paris writer WEANE, although he made simple lettering.
When I was younger, my city was clean, neat. Small pavilions, small buildings. And suddenly, among them, I began to notice letters that were easy to write. At first, there were 2-3 tags in the whole city — one at the station, and one at the roller shutters.
And when I looked at the fonts of other guys, like Skore 79, I thought: «How can they do it so cool?» They knew how to draw figurative, while they deduced beautiful letters. My visual perception was influenced, of course, by Zantz and MODE2, as well as Gothic and ancient English calligraphy. When I was 12, I wasn't looking for graffiti magazines, I was just looking for font information. I had several magazines and videos about writing, and it seems to me that my inspiration came from people like MODE2. There are no specific cases where there were some idols that I watched. But these guys surprised me. I also paid attention to the Paris writer WEANE, although he made simple lettering.
Have you had any funny experiences with how the police and passersby reacted to you?
I have a couple of funny stories to your question. Somehow, I tagged on a truck. «What are you doing?»,— a passerby dug up to me. I sent him to hell, but he gave me a slap in the face.
One another time, the police caught me (it was at Lilles), I was drawing one $ on one statue. In the commissariat, when we were already escorted to the cell, we were almost undressed. There are probably similar rules everywhere. I was put into a room with the other women, then I was asked to go out, the first thing I saw outside the door was 15 stunned police officers. It was surprising and not very pleasant to see many police officers at this moment.
Once I was again taken to the department of the commissariat for drawing. I spent the whole evening in the department, but they did not fasten me or put me in a cell. There was even a policeman who brought me water bottles. And in the morning I asked: «Maybe then I'll go?». Even already prepared to leave, but, unfortunately, nothing came of it. And still it was amazing,unlikely many have come across something like this : you sit in the ward and they bring you water and sandwiches.
In general, the police always treat you differently: you are dark-skinned or a woman ... And very much everything depends on how you talk to them. Probably like everywhere else.
One another time, the police caught me (it was at Lilles), I was drawing one $ on one statue. In the commissariat, when we were already escorted to the cell, we were almost undressed. There are probably similar rules everywhere. I was put into a room with the other women, then I was asked to go out, the first thing I saw outside the door was 15 stunned police officers. It was surprising and not very pleasant to see many police officers at this moment.
Once I was again taken to the department of the commissariat for drawing. I spent the whole evening in the department, but they did not fasten me or put me in a cell. There was even a policeman who brought me water bottles. And in the morning I asked: «Maybe then I'll go?». Even already prepared to leave, but, unfortunately, nothing came of it. And still it was amazing,unlikely many have come across something like this : you sit in the ward and they bring you water and sandwiches.
In general, the police always treat you differently: you are dark-skinned or a woman ... And very much everything depends on how you talk to them. Probably like everywhere else.
What is important to you for the moment in drawing?
For kidding i can answer: Every morning I wake up with the idea of doing better than Skore 79. But what matters to me in drawing right now, apart from producing good drawings, selling them, is simply making drawings that someone might like, a bit like a colorful correspondence that everyone would have access.
Grade Moscow
24 Apr, 2020