Artist Info:

ALIAS belongs to the few omnipresent street art artists who have managed to create a unique style. When one passes by his numerous works, which can be found spread all over the city (especially in Berlin’s districts such as Friedrichshain or Kreuzberg) one immediately knows whose signature they bear. This is even more fascinating when you look at the diversity of his artwork. He had his first encounters with street art at the turn of the millennium while living in Hamburg. Since 2003 he lives in Berlin where he has developed his unique street art approach and became a protagonist of a very vital urban art scene. In his workflow he takes advantage of the Cut-Cut Stencil technique, which he had refined over the years. He gives great attention to details and has reached a complexity not often seen in contemporary street art. ALIAS finds influences in the social environment that surrounds him: Films, Photos or the Internet… His motives are often shaped on one hand by a sense of humour on the other by a grim realism. At first sight pieces like GIRL WITH ROSES, GLUE BOY or CRY BOY draw attention through their sheer aestethic appeal but at a closer glance these motives reflect social evils, antagonisms and fears. The initial response to virulent motives such as SCREAM or CRY BOY can be a rather defensive stance but after the first impression these motives often inspire a creative debate or train of thought. This way ALIAS work always manages to capture the viewer thus he opens up a dialogue. ALIAS work has reached both a technical but also aesthetical maturity that is symbolic for an evolving street art scene.

http://www.myspace.com/aliaslovesyou

http://www.riot-arts.com/de/artists/alias




Interview:

How did you discover street art?

My first encounter with street art I had in Hamburg in 2001. 2 years later I moved to Berlin and started working on my own stuff.

What is your position on traditional TAGGING in these days?

I have no problem with it as long as other approaches are respected as well. In the end all I do is TAGGING I am just using a different method.

How would you describe your style?

A reduced and manipulated reproduction of images by means of stencils, cans, paper, glue...well something a long these lines... Your Work is omnipresent in the city (Berlin), if you ask around it is amazing how many people have encountered your art.

How do you decide what goes where?

Actually it happens very spontaneously. I try to place the motives on walls, which have been used already for tags and stickers. This way I am hoping to avoid complaints and a longer durability of the art is more probable.

Is you art often being misinterpreted?

What reactions have you observed? This is very diverse. I leave a lot of room for speculation and different interpretations. I leave it up to the observer and honestly I don’t really care about the right or wrong interpretation.

What about the message?

I don’t follow or have any. I might have a plan. The goal is to expose as many people as possible to my art, oh this fame thing again...but seriously the idea that people see my art at places and they immediately know that I have been there too might make them feel a bit more at home.

Do you also sell your art on canvases and posters?

Yes of course, I also do exhibitions and I get contacted a lot via my myspace profile.





Artist Gallery:

ALIAS - Berlin



Cry Boy - Berlin



Cry Boy - Hamburg




Glue Boy - Berlin



Glue Boy - Berlin



untitled - Berlin