El Bocho (Streetartist, Berlin)



Interview

When did you begin withStreetart?
I am working with stencils since 1997, the first years my work was going more into a graffiti direction. I began working with posters after a Berlin visit in 03, I have been doing so since then.

What have been your biggest influences?
I listen to the people on the streets. If one sits in the subway without headphones one can snap up so many thoughts and conversations, lots of input for my projects.



Is there a recurring theme in your work?
Quality is the guiding theme and also advancement. Every Poster is unique. I want to observe with my own eyeswhere my work will lead me. If I began using the same motives it would become too boring for me. I can actually not understand people who go out with copied posters. My time is too precious for this approach.

How did the Little Lucy character evolve?
It was actually well thought out. I was looking for some sort of logo for me, something cute but also cruel at times…it is hard to resent Lucy something. It was also important that the character had the ability to tell a story over a longer period of time, both for national and international audience.



How are the reactions to Lucy?
I would say generally positive with the exception of the society of the prevention of cruelty to animals. The other day a guy told me at an exposition that his daughter was crazy for Lucy but could not yet read the texts. So whenever they walk around and discover a Lucy motive he has to make up a harmless text and read it to her, he said that she would not like to hear something like “Head off” or “Mom, Kitty has lost her head”.

What were your coolest experiences out on the streets, have you had really bad one as well or generally things that annoy you?
Well I get annoyed by streetartists who are asleep at the wheel, who don’t put any thought into their work, who do not communicate with the beholder and only bang their stuff on walls. Nice moments happen at exhibitions when you can directly observe reactions or people approach me directly. These are the moments when you feel that the effort is worthwhile.



Which works have caught your attention lately?
Well, this might sound arrogant, but honestly my own stuff because I have found a new path and I am having so much fun that I stay up all night. The possibility of moving on has moved me the most lately…

Where can one meet you in Berlin?
Everywhere, but most at the time at 3 m height, just keep you eyes open.




http://www.myspace.com/elbochoberlin

http://www.elbocho.net/