MTN WORLD

What is a “system collector”? It is a graffiti writer whose activity is focused on painting on as many subway systems in the world as possible, facing the different difficulties and consequences that this may involve. Suicide stands out within this trend due to a very attractive style, impeccable technique and outstanding chromatic expertise.

UNALIVE is the editorial publication -half magazine, half book- that collects part of his work on paper. The time has come to ask him a few questions and, if he is willing, submit him to our NUMBERS & LETTERS questionnaire.

Suicide’s UNALIVE will be available soon at most of our Montana Shops.

-Is it safe to say that there is an established trainwriting modality of nomadic writers? Do you think you are among them?

Yeah, there is. Over the years there have been guys who are really focused on collecting systems and some guys who really collected a lot. Some of the places and numbers are impressive.

I feel in part one of them, although I’m not so interested in system numbers and often I’d choose to go back to a city I know and paint as much as I can rather than always going somewhere new. A mix of somewhere familiar and somewhere new is something I’m more interested in.

-What differentiates this trend from other trainwriters?

I think the guys that travel a lot have more drive and a bigger sense of adventure than writers that are happy staying in their city.

“Banos, Opak, Vino, Whel and Error: all of these guys have managed to combine simplicity and style that appeals to me”

-In Europe we have a lot of writers from other continents (mainly America, Oceania) constantly hanging around… We can guess why but tell us about it from your perspective.

It feels like there are a lot of people travelling from those parts of the world. Over the years some of the most active or prominent guys have come from outside of Europe. In my opinion I think they take advantage of how small Europe is and how easily you can move between the cities and countries and the lack of consequences compared to their homelands.

-Mention your favorite writers and why.

Banos, Opak, Vino, Whel and Error: all of these guys have managed to combine simplicity and style that appeals to me, all the while being able to functionally apply it within the time constraints you come up against painting trains and metros.

-The three most beautiful systems, in your view, that you have ever painted.

Moscow, Yerevan and Berlin. All of the tunnels in those cities have a very good atmosphere when you’re in them.

“China wasn’t particularly difficult to paint but getting away with it afterwards was quite challenging. (…) All you can do is hope that you’ve covered your tracks well enough that you make it out of the airport at the end.”

-The three hardest systems, in your experience, and why.

Ex-Soviet counties feel a lot harder than most places. Usually access is a lot more difficult. There’s no emergency exits like other western countries, a lot more technology, and a bigger police presence. Sometimes it takes days just to get some kind of access and it’s not uncommon to do a trip there and come back empty handed. It makes the juice worth the squeeze when it does work out though.

China wasn’t particularly difficult to paint but getting away with it afterwards was quite challenging. The amount of surveillance they have was a lot more than any other country I’ve visited, and knowing they are definitely checking all the street cameras. The idea of them trying to track you down is always in the back of your mind. All you can do is hope that you’ve covered your tracks well enough that you make it out of the airport at the end.

Barcelona. I’ve always been amazed how much gets done in a city with so much security. The writers there are pretty innovative, sneaky and persistent. It always feels like a big game of cat and mouse there.

-It is difficult for a writer to choose a moment to gather his material and show it. Why did you do it and why now?

Yeah it is. When you don’t keep your photos at home, sd cards, memory sticks, and hds just keep getting added to a pile of material you barely look at, it becomes overwhelming to go through it all.

I did because I was actually looking through all my photos for another project and felt I had enough material to do a mini book. It’s also to test the waters for a bigger project.

-What are we going to find in UNALIVE?

You’ll find a mix of atmospheric photography from myself and Alonso Alcade mixed with pieces from the last 10 years or so. But I did try keep it mostly to more recent photos. There are also some stories and text in there as well.

“Silver wholecars are the most fun to paint but there’s nothing better than a color panel on a nice looking model.”

-What is the best and the worst thing about graffiti?

The best would be the adventure that goes hand in hand with painting, especially travelling to paint. The worst would be the impact it is has on my real life. It’s quite difficult to manage both at times.

-Chrome wholecar or color panel?

That’s a hard choice. Silver wholecars are the most fun to paint but there’s nothing better than a color panel on a nice looking model.

An now… THE NUMBERS AND LETTERS TEST:

Years of activity: 25
Number of photos of pieces on trains: I lost count years ago.
Subway systems: I think it’s funny when people take the number of systems they’ve done too seriously.
Arrests: 10, (2 because of snitches).
Convictions: None that count.
Average mission time: 6-60 minutes.
Average number of colors: 8 (but I’m well known for taking more cans than necessary).
Optimum number of participants on a mission: 1-4, but having a yard party can be pretty awesome too.
Maximum time without painting: 8 months.