Bo130 - Street Artist Interview

February 2009

Interview with Bo130, a street artist from Milan who is part of The Big Geezers Crew and often paints with partner Microbo.

How old are you?

Been on this planet since 1971.

Where are you based?

Milan , Italy.

How long have you been painting / writing?

Hooked on the graffiti game since 1985.

How did you get into graffiti / street art?

Was in '85 after a holiday in the United States with my parents, I remember those strange scribbling on walls which the book Spray Can Art then explained to me. Subway Art, Spray Can Art and watching Wild Style and Style Wars played a major role in my healthy addiction.

What made you begin painting in public spaces?

I guess at first it was for the adrenaline rush… then it became just the right thing to do! Art should be public, not elitist!

Where did you paint your first piece?

After thousands of sketches, I painted my bedroom!

How would you describe your style?

I don't know… clean dirt, multimedia layering!?

I keep exploring and blending, analog and digital, paint and print, juxtaposing, city scapes, cartoons, pop refs, tribalism, music, nonsense, etc… and then layering it all down.

How did you choose the name Bo130?

In more then 20 years I've changed tag almost every two weeks, I've never sticked to one. Never been into bombing too much, my tags were always next to the piece and functioned more as a compliment to the piece rather than just a sign. Many times my tag changed depending on my mood and stuff… eventually I've decided to have a logo instead of a tag.

Since everybody called me BoBo (short for Robert) at some point I've decided to stick to that but just with a lil' twist!

Do you paint with any crews and if so which ones?

I've always painted with people who enjoy to paint. I've never joined any crew apart from The BG's (The Big Geezers Crew), a very special crew… one of a kind!

Big respect to…

• The London Police
• Galo
• Microbo
• Will Barras
• Mr Jago
• Jeremy Fish
• Morcky Troubles
• Fortress
• Pez
• Nomad
• The ever growing Geezer Family

In an interview I did with Chaz from The London Police he mentioned that he has has worked with you on numerous occasions, how did you guys meet and how often do you work together?

Chaz, geezer numba one! We met long ago in Amsterdam, at an exhibition at 90SqMeters. You know how it goes… with some people you click immediately and this was the case, then the more time we spent together confirmed the first impression.

We have worked together on many occasions and will continue to do so for a long time.

You also work a lot with Microbo, how did the two of you begin working together?

She's my parter in life, our love and her talent made working together very easy. We work alone or together, but when we work together our styles merge and complement each other.

Do you often work with artists overseas or travel abroad for your art and if so then where is the most exciting or interesting place you have painted?

I've travelled quite a bit and I have a lot of stories about places, 11 Spring St. Project in New York City was incredible, The Big Geezers Tour through Scandinavia and East Europe had a lot of epic episodes!

I must say, one of the most memorable paint-trips ever was the one in Barcelona we did a few years ago, it was a random appointment for a bunch of artists which turned into a massive street artist convention! Started by Chaz word of mouth moved fast through the net, heads connected and 60 artist from all over the place turned up at the meeting point. No exhibitions, no sponsors, no cash, no hype! Pure spontaneous combustion!

What are you feelings about the graffiti and street art scenes in Italy at present?

Generally speaking… it's a fuckin' circus!!! People are confused… let me just say that! Big up to 2501 and Zibe TSO for keepin' it real!

If you have ever done any commercial work have you ever put any hidden messages in the pieces you have produced for clients?

Here's a couple of music videos made a few years back… while working on the backgrounds I've been able to place my logo/tag here and there.

Has graffiti become a full-time career for you now and if so was it a long journey to get to this stage?

What I was doing spontaneously for passion got some recognition and that's all good if you've being told to forget that shit all your life!

I havent reached any special stage yet… Freedom, that's the main success!

Before getting where I stand today I studied and worked for many years, making different experiences all of which helped me to eventually take this rocky road… still a long way to go!

Is there any one point in your career you would class as 'your big break'?

Still learning, still evolving, still re-thinking, still struggling, still fighting, keep believing!

What do you see as your greatest achievement to date?

To work for myself, to be able to do what I love to do, to put food on the plate and pay the bills!

What are your thoughts on graffiti being just a likely to be found in a gallery as on the streets these days?

Depends which gallery! Things can be good but right now there is too much hype and speculation and not everything you see is quality!

Today, kids fight for gallery space instead of city walls. They want to go from sketch to gallery straight away… and some galleries allow that to happen… that's bad!

In general… don't believe the hype. No heroes, no prizes!

Have you ever had your work displayed in a gallery and if so is there any one exhibition that stands out from all the rest?

I did over 50 shows in six years, mainly Europe and some in United States and I've learned something from each and everyone.

…in many cases graffiti has the power to turn something dead and ugly into something alive and beautiful!

Bo130

There seems to have been a sudden surge of interest in graffiti and street art recently, why do you think this is?

Graffiti is everywhere and people see it every day, in the last 30 years it became part of the popular culture for generations of kids so it was inevitable. Today there are so many artists around the world, so many talented kids, so many different styles, so many new opportunities…all thanks to technology.

Graffiti and street art went through a big evolution and reinvention, today it's undoubtedly the most vibrant art movement around which is why galleries and advertising agencies are sucking out as much as they can… they know that there are gems mixed in the shit but the bad stuff starts when they want to turn shit into gems!

There is a very fine line between those who see graffiti as art and those who see it as vandalism, what are your views on this?

There is a lot of confusion in general and all this exploitation and hype for graffiti makes things worse. I believe graffiti is a spontaneous expression of life and that freedom of expression should be encouraged! Some is good and some is bad, some is pure vandalism and some has a more refined touch. For sure, some kids over did it and that makes everybody looks bad… but in many cases graffiti has the power to turn something dead and ugly into something alive and beautiful!

Do you prefer doing legal or illegal pieces?

I don't like to run anymore! For me, it doesn't have to be illegal at all costs… I dont need that kind of adrenaline rush no more because now I get an adrenaline rush about other aspects of my work.

If it is illegal than I try to hit those places that are blatantly bad so people don't get mad about it, plus I don't have to watch my back all the time.

What I find a little too much is what they do in New York because their zero tolerance madness allows cops to pull you in just for putting up a sticker on a lamp post… that's just a stupid waste of money, don't you think?

Bo130

Have you ever 'felt the long arm of the law' because of your art?

Tag bombings piss people off and things are getting extreme everywhere. What I find a little too much is what they do in New York because their zero tolerance madness allows cops to pull you in just for putting up a sticker on a lamp post… that's just a stupid waste of money, don't you think?

In general I've never had big problems with the law but it's mainly because I take care were I put my stuff up. I don't want to pist off anyone, I actually prefer people to enjoy what I'm doing and that's the real challenge.

Do you try to keep your identity anonymous where possible?

I prefer to show my work instead of my face.

Which other artists work do you admire?

Too many!

Which other graffiti artists would you most like to work with if given the chance?

Anyone with nice attitude and no ego trips!

What is your preferred medium for making marks with?

Acrylics, Posca markers and black or blue "Bic" pen.

What is your colour of choice?

I love browns and greens.

What is your favourite surface to paint on?

Wood is my favourite, for the kind of over-layered work I do it's the best surface.

Do you have a favourite piece of all time?

If you are talking about my pieces I've got to say not really. For me it's all a work in progress, I love them all and I hate them all. I'm still developing and adding 'things' to my work so until I reach what I have in mind I'll be always on a quest. In fact, from all the exhibitions I do I always keep a few pieces as archive to follow the progressions.

If you are talking about other artists the list could be long.

What kind of music are you into?

Mainly jazz, funk, reggae and hip-hop. I've no prejudice… I love music so I'm very open to all sorts and in my collection you can find all different kinds.

What is the last album you bought?

• 1970's STUDIO ONE - Classics Roots
• "The 3rd World" - New Immortal Technique

What are you working on currently and what plans do you have for the future?

Easy on the hide out, no shows for a bit, very busy on new productions… new wood panels, prints and 3 dimensional stuff.

Don't stop the body rock!

Anything else you would like to add?

Make your neighborhood look good, make your trains looks special and make your woman feel fine!

Thank you very much, Bobo

For further information about Bo130 please visit:

Bo130 Profile

Bo130 Website

Bo130 Blog

Bo130 Flickr Photostream

Bo130 YouTube Channel

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