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  Signtology - The Art of VOP Interview
interview 0463 added
11.09.06 words: Lady Cook
technical:
QED
Signtology is the latest exhibition from esteemed VOP Crew artists: Dane and Solo One.
Already well known for their many collaborations: including artwork for artists as diverse as Oasis, Roots Manuva and Task Force, participation in the They Made Me Do It collective and numerous beautifying street action, this is their second Brixton exhibition after last years Deep End show at Brixton Lido.
 I chatted to Solo about the motives behind the motifs:
Lady Cook: Who are VOP Crew?
Solo One: VOP consists of STYLO, MEAR, DANE and SOLO ONE.
LC: What are you trying to achieve with the Signology exhibition?
Solo: With the SIGNTOLOGY exhibition, myself and DANE wanted to do a graffiti show that reflected the many different ideas we have that we put out on the street. Also we wanted to focus attention to the issues that are within the paintings, out of curiosity as to what the viewing public would read into what we were doing. Our stuffs funny but it has a tragic twist.
LC: Is there a political message in your at?
Solo: There’s always some type of message in our art because it’s important to reflect views and not be into self obsession - which is so much a part of what our modern day culture is about. My view is that you shouldn’t be sucked into hero-worshiping but should listen to what some people have to say.
LC: Do you think artists, visual or musical, can have an effect on the general public’s political views?
Solo: I think anyone can have an effect on people’s views but you have to take direct action in order to get anything done. It’s been interesting making work that I thought wouldn’t get understood like my painting of Bono getting his head chopped off by Bob
Geldorf. That painting says a lot of what I feel about western celebrities aligning themselves with African poverty and portraying Africa as a broken continent and them as the great white saviours.
“...if you want to do something worthwhile then join an aid convoy or help people who are dying...”
LC: Do you think graffiti is a political art form, by nature of its’ illegality?
 Solo: I don’t think graffiti is political enough. What we have is a sub-culture that lost its’ edge a long time ago and is being pimped by paint companies that just because they can’t sell to car companies anymore are using graf and exploiting graf writers. Just doing illegal graf is not enough if you want to do something worthwhile then join an aid convoy or help people who are dying. I think graf has the potential to make a real impact on how people view things in the world today and can also be used to educate people that mainstream education can’t reach.
LC: What is your favourite colour?
Solo: My favourite colour is pink. Helps me wind down.
LC: What inspires you?
Solo: My inspiration comes mainly from the news and the endless cuttings I make of images which I use to make pictures.
LC: Which artist’s work do you admire?
I know that you’ve both worked closely with some of the U.K’s musical talent, could you tell me more about these projects?
Solo: I’ve worked making pictures for artists and concepts I like. For 4 years I did visual work for Leo and Charlie at Kung Fu, which was a right laugh, a lot of interesting times. Also done backdrops for Task Force - which only seemed right cos Farma and Chester paint pictures using words and I’ve used some imagery in their raps to in turn paint pictures so it was good to do their backdrops. I also worked with Killa Kela, that was good, but better before he was signed to Sony. With Kela we took a load of banners on tour for his Jawbreaker tour and it was interesting to see how things ran.
LC: Graffiti evolved as an integral part of hip-hop culture; do you think it still is?
Solo: Graffiti will always be hip-hop as long as hip-hop stands for something revolutionary. Right now hip-hop sits in the pocket of corporate America and graf is more or less like that.
LC: Do you think the general public notice graffiti / street art?
Solo: The public notice graf for sure. That’s why it’s out there. And good feedback helps me to cook up some more interesting recipes.
LC: Who would be your ‘Fantasy Political League’ choice for mayor of Lambeth?
Solo: If I wanted to pick a mayor for Lambeth it would be Hugo Chavez, but I’d get some company guy in underneath him, cos I wouldn’t want a penny wasted and we’d spend a lot of money on social housing projects.
LC: I know that you’ve done a lot of youth work teaching graffiti and art, can you tell me more about this?
Solo: I’ve done youth work for a number of years now. This consists of using art to build peoples confidence or to use as a tool to make kids concentrate on an activity. Each project can be different as certain groups have different needs. Just done a good subway project in Sunbury, Surrey where the kids got to paint the entire subway and be main players in the design and execution of the work. We are also helping them to organise their own Urban Games so that should be fun.
LC: Big ups / shouts / weblinks:
Solo: Like to say thanks to all who have supported us. Kate, Yan, Casey, Brockwell Lido, and the people of Brixton.
LC: So, if you find yourself anywhere in the Brixton / Herne Hill area before September 23rd, check out the Signtology exhibition at the 198 Gallery. The launch was highly popular, with well-known attendees including Lyndon Kwesi Johnson and Maxie Jazz as well as half of London’s writers turning up in support.
Many thanks to Solo One for his time, hopefully I will be interviewing Dane too soon as technical hitches got in the way this time.
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Lady
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