I’ve always been fascinated by street art. And before the likes of Banksy and the stencil revolution there was graffiti. And there was one artist that always stood out to me — Mirko Reisser, better known as DAIM. There was something about his style that captivated me. His lettering was so intricate and his perspectives were so wild; it was beyond me how someone could create such dimension on a flat surface, with a spray can no less! Below you will find a small selection of his incredible work. Littered amongst his art you will find quotes culled from various interviews available on his site. Witness the insanity with four simple letters:
“I started in 1989. I was 17 and I started with some friends of mine. I didn’t know any graffiti writers at that time, so I just started going out and doing stuff. After three months, we got caught, and I had to pay my fine. I had to work the whole summer holidays just to pay it off.”
On Influences:
“My influence comes form the early Hamburg kings like Skener and Jase, but also Loomit and the FBI Crew”
“I was also really influenced by Dali, MC Escher and Van Gogh”
“I have absolutely no influence from comics so I wasn’t used to making a fat black line around everything. I always came from the direction to make everything with light and shade. And after awhile I thought I could apply that to letters. But it took some time. I started to go in this direction in ’91.”
On Legacy: “I think that instead of taking pieces of history, artists have to just go off on their own and make their own history”
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On Drawing:
“I draw everything by hand. I only use a pencil and Copic art markers for my sketches.”
“Working with broad brushstrokes is much more interesting to me, especially as a counterpoint to the world of computers, where everything is getting more perfect and clean every day.”
“Doing everything by hand has the advantage that you understand every step. It takes longer, but it gives you the feeling that you understand what you’re doing. A computer relieves you of a lot of the work, but it often takes away the possibility to trace each and every step.”
copic- marker on paper_size A3
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copic- marker on paper_size A3
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Mirko’s Musings:
“A lot of people think that when you are young you do your graffiti and then you should become an ‘artist’; I think that’s stupid.”
“I believe all inspiration begins in nature. There are all shapes, colors, patterns etc. In nature, you just have to keep your eyes open.”
Photograph by Tiexano
What looks like paint is actually just tape! Check the closeup below
Photograph by Tiexano
On Graffiti:
“When you do graffiti, you have to start with typography. You can make a lot strange things with your letters, but a D still has to be a D.”
“I believe that someone who writes only legally cannot grasp the whole spirit of graffiti”
“Show respect, be true to yourself, and always wear a mask when painting.”
Artist: Daim, Seak;
Brühl (Mitte)/Germany | 09.2004
” data-medium-file=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/artist-daim-graffiti-mural.jpg?w=741&h=394?w=300″ data-large-file=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/artist-daim-graffiti-mural.jpg?w=741&h=394?w=741″ src=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/artist-daim-graffiti-mural.jpg?w=741&h=394″ alt=”artist daim graffiti mural 3D INSANITY With Only Four Letters” width=”741″ height=”394″ class=”alignleft size-full wp-image-4915″ srcset=”https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/artist-daim-graffiti-mural.jpg 741w, https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/artist-daim-graffiti-mural.jpg?w=150&h=80 150w, https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/artist-daim-graffiti-mural.jpg?w=300&h=160 300w” sizes=”(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px” />
“Graffiti is a worldwide language of youth” – DAIM
CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL DAIM GALLERY FOR MORE IMAGES AND INFORMATION
The Legendary Mirko Reisser aka DAIM
MRpro has Created an Incredible Map of Daim’s Graffiti All Over the Globe.
Check Out This Custom Google Map of Locations and Images of Daim’s Work – CLICK HERE
If you enjoyed this article, the Sifter highly recommends: Stencil Skateboarders by TR853-1
