00G speaks with Bask

Bask is known to be a Czech born, american Vandal. Check out his space ( Bask on Myspace, here ).

 

Who are you & what are you doing later today?
My name is Bask and I'm going to take a little nap after I finish this interview, then feed my cat, then feed myself, call my girlfriend and then spend the rest of the night painting.

 

Do you paint and why?
I paint because I don't think I'd be too good doing anything else. I mean, I'm skilled in a number of trades but I could never see myself doing any of them for a living. I'd rather be homeless and paint then work in a job I hate. Luckily for me, this art thing is working out pretty good so far,,,knock on wood, I hope it lasts, hahaha.

 

Where are you from?
I was born in the Czech Republic and moved to Florida in 1984 with my family. In my early 20s,I lived in Detroit for about 4 years but due to some unforeseen circumstances, I had to move back down to Florida. I'm glad to be here though. Florida has great painting weather.

 

Where are you going?
Well, I have no intention on moving anytime soon. I get to travel allot because of the art shows I'm involved with, and Florida is a great home base for me,,,for now. I do see myself moving to in the future though, maybe even back to the Czech Republic or even Canada. It all depends on how intolerable American politics get.

 

Do you prefer getting feedback from people who've seen your work on the streets, rather than in galleries?
I don't think I could say I prefer one over the other. I just try to do what I do in both arenas and hope that people connect with one, or the other, or hopefully both. However, most of my feedback these days comes from gallery work I do because that's where I focus most of my energy.

 

What's your favorite medium?
I like to paint on old grimy panels and walls. Things that have a lot of character to them. Even the work I produce for galleries comes from things I find in the street. I find it's a more organic way to create art.

 

Has Internet opened possibilities for you?
Oh my god yes! In the mid 90s, when I was doing a ton of writing, promoting yourself consisted only by putting together packets of photos and hand made stickers and hitting up any graff and/or art magazine that you came across. Although this is still a great way to push your work out there, the Internet has linked the world to your home, making networking a hell of a lot easier.

 

What's the soundtrack to this page?
I listen to damn near everything but the soundtrack to this page could be something like DJ Krush or UNKLE. I'm really feeling Regina Spector these days but that may be too soft for this, hahaha.

 

If you had an unlimited budget, what would you do differently?
Besides take a lot more vacations around the globe? Hmmm, I'm not sure if I'd do things differently. I'd just do more of what I do and do it bigger. Money is good but it can't be the core reason why people make art. don't get me wrong, It's a nice perk but great art should come from a deeper hunger. That's why graff is so profound. You go out, risk everything you've got just to get up, just to put your mark on something without the concern of, if you'll get paid for it. On the contrary, if caught, you'll get taxed.

 

Mix-media, what's up with that?
I love mix-media. It's how I produce most of my gallery work. Mix-media allows you to be like a mad scientist in the studio. You can experiment with anything to create a piece of art without any limits or restrictions. That to me is what art is all about. You, a butch of paint and junk and you have to produce something worth looking at from that. Its great!

 

Propaganda inspired design, what's up with that?
I love propaganda inspired design. It's taking the imagery and messages disseminated by the powers that be and using them against them or simply calling it out for what it is, system propaganda. It's a great tool for any street artist.

 

Any shout-outs, promo, beefs?
ya I got beef, FUCK GEORGE W. BUSH!!! Besides that, much love to my family and friends!

Thanks