Surely you have seen a viral video on Instagram taken from a vertiginous angle of a writer chased by a policeman who just got out of a patrol car. This is Guser, who documents his activity with a 360-degree camera. In addition to the striking aesthetic result, this gadget allows you to record everything that is happening around the scene of the action, and then, during editing, select what can be shown. Add to this a certain tendency towards risk, and it will definitely be a success. After a few months of not publishing anything, his return made us feel obligated to ask him some questions.
How did you get the idea that a 360-degree camera could be so useful for documenting graffiti actions?
During an action, a lot happens at the same time. Your senses are heightened, but you are focused on your graffiti, which is why you often block out the environment. Homies are also spraying, people are disturbing you, and the surrounding area is bustling. Capturing all this in one camera shot can be quite a challenge.
However, a 360-degree approach ensures that almost every aspect is captured on video.
A disadvantage: the video quality.
“In my art I try to capture the thrill and allow the viewer to immerse itself in the excitement of feeling adrenaline. Out of all drugs, adrenaline is one of the better ones.”
What handicaps do you have when it comes to painting with this kind of tool?
It takes longer to take the emergency exit because my tool needs assembly and disassembly.
One of these tools, called Unicorn, is a camera stick I built myself and I attach to my head. When I use it, I can’t move my head up and down too much or it will fall off.
However, it allows a GTA-like perspective, which is just awesome.
It’s also time-consuming to edit because you have to set all the keyframes.
What attracts you most to graffiti?
Climbing around the city. Trainsurfing?
Self-realisation, social criticism, emotions, and freedom.
Everything! I find satisfaction in the whole journey, from scouting the spots
to the thrill of seeing my video at home for the first time. I like the variety.
Did all this come before painting or after?
At the same time. I have been editing videos of different kinds for some time. When I started doing graffiti, it all fit together with the fact that I often went climbing to great heights in my private life.
“I often think of the time when graffiti actions really only counted for oneself and were not measured by likes or reposts.”
What role does adrenaline play in this practice?
In my art I try to capture the thrill and allow the viewer to immerse itself in the excitement of feeling adrenaline. Out of all drugs, adrenaline is one of the better ones.
What is your limit when facing a risk?
Good question bro. Actually I don’t know. However, of course I try to minimise any risk. As a climber, for example, I follow the 3-point belay principle. That way, two points remain belayed, even if one is lost. Stay fit!
Would it be the same if you were not filming?
No.
How important is style when painting?
That depends on the mission. If the plot is hard, I don’t care if I get dirty when I paint. Individuality. Create your own style!
Painting in your own city vs travelling to paint. What do you think?
Both, of course! There are no borders.
“Social media is really just a modern marketplace where products are advertised and many people try desperately to present something that neither reflects themselves or their original ideals.”
IG fame vs real world fame. What do you think?
Nowadays both worlds are interconnected. One world influences the other. Sometimes I wonder in which world it is more important to be successful these days?
I often think of the time when graffiti actions really only counted for oneself and were not measured by likes or reposts.
What are your favourite IG accounts?
I tend to be very critical of social media.
Most creators only create content that sells well or for which they can get good advertising partnerships. The magic and the real reason behind why they started what they started is absolutely lost.
Social media is really just a modern marketplace where products are advertised and many people try desperately to present something that neither reflects themselves or their original ideals.
In this way, values and ideals are often conveyed that simply have nothing to do with reality. Very many people are already suffering from this without talking about it.
A final point that I criticise very much is the sell-out of our data.
There is no data protection. We are being fucked without knowing how hard we are being fucked.
The human being becomes a product that is traded globally at a spot price. Knowledge is power and our power over a self-determined life is getting lost right now. So is our freedom.
Don’t give your data/your personality to corporations that would kill you to make a profit.
Are you only a content creator or also a consumer?
First and foremost, I am an artist. I used to watch a lot of graffiti videos, some were better, and some were rather boring. Unfortunately, I could rarely feel the intense feeling of an action. So I decided to take you with me and show you a part of my life. Enjoy the show!
2 What do you think?
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