MontanaCans LOOKBOOK 2023 Issue #8
It's that time again to welcome the release of the Montana Cans Lookbook 2023 edition #8. There is no rewind button on life, making it all the more important to reflect on the year that was, and the things that happened during that period. The Montana-Cans Lookbook does just that and reflects on some of the highlights from the year prior. A moment to reflect on those things that may not have received as much shine as they deserved while being "in the moment".
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creating sanitary
creating sanitary cities, which is a national activity aimed at improving urban environmental sanitation and health levels of resisents. Chuangwei work requires various aspects of the city to meet certain standards, including the sanitation of public places and so on. This means that graffiti is not allowed in many places, and even regarded as an act of disrupting public order as opposed to beautifying the environment. Many times, you may spend a lot of time and energy to paint a piece, but the next day it will be painted over by sanitation workers. Obviously this is very frustrating and makes graffiti artists feel helpless. I think there are more challenges for female artists or graffiti artist then for male artists. Sometimes I still encounter some stereotypical comments, like “Oh, you are a girl? I thought only boys would paint like this.” MC Are there any more challenges for a female graffiti artist or artist than for a male? SATR I think there are more challenges for female artists or graffiti artist then for male artists. Sometimes I still encounter some stereotypical comments, like “Oh, you are a girl? I thought only boys would paint like this.” But now there are also many female street artists who are uniting to break this stereotype. MC Is there an unofficial graffiti hierarchy within the Chinese scene? Does Chinese graffiti work off the traditional New York graffiti model? SATR I don’t think there is a hierarchy system in the Chinese graffiti scene, at least I haven’t seen one. If graffiti has a hierarchy system, then he/she is not a graffiti person. Graffiti is about freedom and expression, not about ranking or competing. Everyone has their own style and preference, and there is no right or wrong way to do graffiti. Of course, some people might be more skilled or experienced than others, but that doesn’t mean they are superior or inferior. The Chinese graffiti scene does not work off the traditional New York graffiti model, because the cultural and historical contexts are different. → It is all about perspectives. From up close we see wisping color, from a far we see a natural world that is mystic and magical. 58 Interview/Artist in focus Satr
MC Do graffiti writers and mural artists work together or cross over in China? SATR They do hang out together. As far as my friends are concerned, we don’t have any barriers. I also have many friends who do illegal graffiti. Whether we can get along or not, I think the first thing is to see what your purpose of doing graffiti is. If you are doing it for money and betraying your artistic beliefs and soul, then I’m sorry, neither graffiti writers nor mural artists will welcome you. We respect each other’s choices and expressions, as long as they are sincere and original. MC Did graffiti start during a particular time in China? Looking up, the view from below as SATR breathes some life into her artwork with Montana GOLD. When I first started playing in 2013, the atmosphere was already very good. In 2016, the graffiti scene reached a peak. There were all kinds of graffiti events and parties. SATR I can only speak from my own experience. I think I started graffiti in the middle stage of its development in China. When I first started playing in 2013, the atmosphere was already very good. In 2016, the graffiti scene reached a peak. There were all kinds of graffiti events and parties. There were also foreign graffiti artists who came to China to participate in international graffiti exchange activities. MC Do up-and-coming graffiti writers and mural artists get inspired by other Chinese artists, or is there a big influence from outside? SATR I think both. If we only absorb our own internal culture, I think it is disconnected from the essence of graffiti, because graffiti did not originate in China. But graffiti has good mobility and strong communication. These days we can easily see a lot of great works on our phones. So we are more or less influenced by the outside world, although this influence is subtle and gradual. Of course, we also get inspired by other Chinese artists, especially those who have their own unique style and expression. We learn from each other and try to create something new and original. Interview/Artist in focus Satr 59
