MontanaCans Lookbook 2019

LOOKBOOK
019
EDITION # 04
MONTANA LOOKBOOK
WWW.MONTANA-CANS.COM
BLACK ARTIST EDITION
HAPPY SOCKS COLLABO
ONE WEEK WITH 1UP
GRAFFITI ON FREIGHTS
ABSTRACT LETTERING
The Montana BLACK gets
a facelift by Mina & Bruce,
Most and Felipe Pantone
Montana injects some
street into the humble
sock—With a little help
from Good Guy Boris
Holiday, far from it! Martha
Cooper and Ninja K capture
a week with 1UP
The other steel that is just
as real—Watch your name
go by again and again
When pressing repeat
is not an option—The
new pioneers of graffiti
lettercraft

COVER: PHOTO BY ZZTOP
WHEN PASSION MEETS PRECISION.
MONTANA-CANS - HIGHEST QUALITY MADE IN GERMANY

MONTANA LOOKBOOK 2019 | PRINTED IN GERMANY

Content
MONTANA LOOKBOOK 019 / EDITORIAL 07
BLACK ARTIST SERIES 08
HAPPY SOCKS X MONTANA CANS X
GOOD GUY BORIS COLLABO
18
INTERVIEW: MINA & BRUCE 24
MONTANA CANS X REEBOK COLLABO 30
MONTANA CANS BLACKBRÄU EDITION
BAVARIAN BLUE
48
ARTIST FEATURE: IMAGINE 52
PORTRAIT: THE LONDON POLICE
NO NEED TO CALL THE COPS
58
ACRYLIC SERIES FEAT. FRAU ISA: 64
THINGS JUST GOT "WEIRD"
ABSTRACT LETTERING 70
MONTANA STORE VIENNA 80
GETTING 1UP ON SOCIETY 88
GRAFFITI ON FREIGHTS 98
THE MONTANA BOLD 104
CALLIGRAFFITI – CONTEMPORARY
CALLIGRAPHY IN THE URBAN SPACE
108
POW! WOW! 118
ROTTERDAM 2018
1010 FOR STADT.WAND.KUNST 126
THE BERLIN MURAL FESTIVAL 132
METROPOLINK FESTIVAL 140
THE MONTANA BLACK
INFRA COLORS
150
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EDITORIAL
We the Montana-Cans team at our headquarters
in Heidelberg/Germany, love working with creative
minds, our friends and our partners, worldwide. It’s
mutually beneficial for everyone.
It is our honour to be able to support events, projects
and artists in fruitful collaboration. For us this
is a vital aspect for development and growth, on all
levels of creativity. We are extremely fortunate and
grateful that artists and collaboration partners alike,
approach us for involvement and support for their
projects. They bring with them incredible ideas and
concepts that inspire and motivate. For this, we are
thankful.
Social responsibility and cultural commitment also
mean a great deal to us. Often the many projects
that we support, and the varied events that we sponsor
are already geared toward helping the very causes
that are dear to us. This makes assisting a privilege.
Sometimes, we are even lucky enough to help
make a positive difference to causes that weren’t already
on our radar.
This, the fourth edition of the Montana-Cans
LOOKBOOK series, is an opportunity to share some
of the special projects and partnerships with you.
Projects that we have been able to establish or
nurture throughout 2018. It is our pleasure, and with
great pride that we are able to shine some extra light
on them and show our gratitude to those that helped
make it possible.
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LOOKBOOK
019
www.montana-cans.blog
#BLACKARTISTEDITION
#MONTANABLACK
#GERMANSPRAYPAINT
8

BLA
CK
ART
IST
SERI
ES
The MONTANA-CANS Limited Artist
Edition cans are the jewels in the
crown for the world’s most favourite
graffiti can, the Montana BLACK range.
Each can gives a world-renowned
graffiti artist the opportunity to redesign
and personalise their favourite
Montana BLACK color. Choosing one
from the 187 impressive colors is no
easy task. Each artist knowing that
their design will come into circulation
for a limited time making their can
exclusive, functional and collectable!
There are 2-3 designs featured per
year, most in keeping with the change
of the seasons. Each artist series can
is sold at the same price as the regular
version of that color and can only
be obtained while stocks last. Each
consumer having to decide if they use
it, or collect it.
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LOOKBOOK
019
MINA
For 15 th Edition of the Montana-Cans Artist Edition cans we created
a double feature working with the artist duo, Mina (from
Germany) & Bruce (from France). For her can, the German artist
MINA has very cleverly combined graffiti style, with illustrative
humour. Choosing her favourite color from the Montana BLACK
range BLK6310 Olymp, MINA created a well-designed female
Olympiad figure that walks a fine line between street knowledge
and physical strength. With a Montana BLACK can in hand, her
character exhibits the optimal amount of “know how”, with classic
graffiti style. Possibly like MINA herself, who is no stranger to
connecting the dots to all the elements of her artistic personas.
@theminamania
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LOOKBOOK
019
BRU
CE
For 15 th Edition of the Montana-Cans Artist Edition cans we created
a double feature working with the artist duo, Mina (from
Germany) & Bruce (from France). For his can, the native Parisian
artist Bruce chose the color BLK5200 Ice Blue. If the Parisian
streets taught BRUCE one thing, it was not to waste time and to
paint fast! For Bruce it was not enough to be just fast, he also
wanted to be extremely good at what he does at the same time.
He expresses that he loves high covering pastel shades and Ice
Blue reminds him of Berlin winters. And after living in Berlin for
five years, he knows what he is talking about.
@bruceontherocks
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LOOKBOOK
019
MOST
The 16 th release of the Montana-Cans Limited Edition Artist cans
was no spontaneus matter. In fact it was foreseen long before it
actually took place. Why? Because in the words of the featured
artist and self professed graffiti prophet MOST, "I saw it all coming".
MOST the Hamburg based stylemaster has been pushing
letter forms since the 1990's. Originating from the Ruhrgebiet in
Western Germany, this founding member of the JBCB crew and
all-round prolific contributor to graffiti culture chose the much
loved Montana BLACK color, Nostradamus BLK 7230. Or as we
should call it now, MOSTradamus.
@thatsallmost
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LOOKBOOK
019
FE
LIPE
PA N
TONE
The 17 th edition of the Montana-Cans Limited Edition Artist cans
is as much from the future, as it was from the past. The featured
artist Felipe Pantone (Pant1) is a self confessed child of the internet
era, who has taken his graffiti above and beyond letters
achieving a unique style that is somewhere between fine art and
the future itself. Far from it's final destination, the work is dynamic
and striking. In keeping with the forward momentum of his
artwork, Pantone chose the color Infra Red BLK IN3000. The Argentinian/Spanish
artist is based in Valencia, Spain, and can now
be seen on a multitude of surfaces all over the globe, unrestricted
by two dimensionality.
@felipepantone
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Montana-Cans
HAPPY SOCKS
Good Guy Boris
Three is not
always
a Crowd
In the modern world of business and economic growth, it's easy to
loose sight of the important things in life. Those fundamental things
like waking up and putting on clean socks and underwear, or simply
drawing an idea on a piece of paper. But there are some fundamental
ideals that we all have in the beginning, that are important not to
loose or let go of.
Those things that motivated you in the first place like creativity, color
or freedom to express yourself. Every now and then an opportunity
arises to collaborate with good people that bring us back to those
fundamental values. In 2018 we were able to connect all the dots in
collaboration with our good friends at the Swedish based sock company,
HAPPY SOCKS.
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Since 2008, the Happy Socks Team have been turning the
essential clothing items of socks and underwear into creative
canvases of endless possibilities. Not to mention
keeping feet warm and putting smiles on faces all over the
world.
Rewind back to a few years earlier, back to the humble
little town of Heidelberg Germany where we, the team at
Montana-Cans, have been re-inventing the spray can in all
its glory since 1996. With the goal and motivation to offer
writers and artists the best possible cans and creation
tools on earth. Putting color and freedom
of expression back into the streets, galleries
and spaces of the world over for everyone
to enjoy.
The outcome of our collaboration was an
exciting, limited edition, athletic, cotton
sock collection. All laced with graffiti and
paint based designs, the socks were served
up in a can like container, celebrating our
common love of all things color and graffiti.
In this shared spirit of rebellion and creation,
it was obvious to us that we needed
to call in the master of freedom of expression
and boisterous rebellion, GOOD GUY
BORIS to capture the essence of our collaboration
on film. And this he did.
Set in the sun soaked background of Greece, the graffiti
covered trains and streets were as much of a reflection of
the Montana-Cans X HAPPY SOCKS collaboration as the
socks themselves. In his short film "Wear under pressure",
GOOD GUY BORIS brought a smile to our faces and a much
needed touch of color to our world. And our feet.
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MONTANA-CANS.BLOG/HAPPYSOCKS
HAPPYSOCKS.COM/MONTANACANS
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MINA
Montana
BLACK Artist
Edition feat.
&
BRUCE
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When we work with artists who become featured on the Montana BLACK Limited Edition
can series, we like to know what lies below the surface of their artistic skin. It is not
always possible to get the dirt on an artist, so when we managed to speak to MINA and
BRUCE about the 15th edition of the Montana BLACK LimitEd Edition Artist Series, we were
twice as excited. Here is a little insight on what makes them tick and how the project
fit within their art practice.
Montana Cans just released the limited
BLACK Artist Edition cans with your designs.
Are you happy with the result of your
work?
MINA & BRUCE: Yes, we are very happy with
the outcome of the cans!
Maybe the both of you could introduce
yourself shortly – where do you come
from and where do you live / work currently?
BRUCE: I’m originally from Paris. I lived in
Berlin, Germany for about 5 years and I
currently live and work in Belgium.
MINA: My studio base is in Berlin at the
moment. I am travelling a lot and living
from time to time in different places.
Like Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris.
Your roots are within
classic Graffiti writing.
What did Graffiti mean
to you in the past and
what’s the value nowadays
for the development
of your art?
MINA: Yes, our roots are
within classic graffiti
writing, which is
still very important
to us now as it was in
the past. For me both
within my life and my
artistic work. My studio
work is inspired by the formal language
of my graffiti, but in an abstract
way. The energy I feel when I’m painting
outdoors is a constant motor and motivator
for my studio work.
When did you start writing Graffiti? Who
did you influence at that time?
BRUCE: I started painting graffiti in the
mid-nineties when I was a teenager. I
recall I was about 15 years old. I used to
look at a lot of graffiti pieces around the
city. Once, I found out that an older guy
from my school was the person painting
them. I started talking to him and asked
if it was possible to paint with him and
how? That’s how it all started.
Your paintings are shown in galleries
and can be seen in the streets. Do you
relate more to your street based work,
or work for the gallery context?
MINA: I have to admit, I love both.
When did you meet Mina for the first
time?
BRUCE: I met Mina 8 years ago in Paris
during an opening event. We got to
talking and decided to go painting the
day after.
What does it mean to you to be printed
on a limited edition Montana spray can?
MINA: It is a honour for our work to be
featured on a limited edition Montana
BLACK spray can. At the same time it
means an appreciation of our work and
a recognition of us as artists. And for
me personally, also my contribution to
the graffiti culture.
You did an Artist Edition of Montana
BLACK – which color did you pick and
why?
BRUCE: I chose the ICE BLUE color, I like
pastel colors and it reminds me of Berlin
winters.
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MINA: I chose the color “Olymp”, because
the mint shade is fresh and one of my
favourite high covering colors.
Tell us something about your work.
BRUCE: I started by painting walls, then
quickly switched to trains for many
years. After a while, I went back to doing
walls. I started doing more bombing
in the streets because for me, it’s more
interesting. I like walking in the streets,
painting easy and doing quick throwups.
I don’t want to spend too long in
front of one wall. Sometimes I will add
eyes, hands or feet which makes kind of
a mix between a throw-up and a character.
But the main focus and the most
important thing for me is doing short,
quick pieces. This I like the most.
How would you describe the subject of
your designs with your own words?
MINA: My design represents the goddess
Athena, the most famous greek goddess
and one of the twelve olympic deities.
She is the goddess of art, wisdom, strategy
and war. Not to mention the goddess
and namesake of the Greek city of
Athens.
What does Graffiti mean for you?
BRUCE: To me graffiti is a kind of freedom.
It’s real freedom. You paint for yourself
and for your friends, wherever and
whenever you want. It’s also a kind of
sport. Some people play football, I like
to do graffiti.
What’s the importance of spray cans for
your paintings and why did you choose
to work with lacquer?
MINA: Spray cans are my tool of choice and
my preferred material to paint outdoors.
What do you like about Montana
BLACK?
BRUCE: You don’t lose any time when you
paint. The pressure is high and the coverage
is great. That’s perfect for me.
If you could pick any spot to paint with
your BLACK Artist Edition, where would
it be and what would you paint?
MINA: I would love to paint the Mina Athena
in Athens.
What are your plans for the future?
MINA & BRUCE: Keep on going, never give up!
Thanks guys for the interview!
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What makes art stay
interesting and inspiring?
Balance, and Mina & Bruce
have achieved just that.
Merging graffiti with fine
art, the street with the
white cube of the gallery.
The artists have become
one entity finding common
ground through two very
different approaches
to creativity. All while
maintaining integrity
so that their work
stays contemporary and
relEvAnt.

INSTAGRAM.COM/THEMINAMANIA
INSTAGRAM.COM/BRUCEONTHEROCKS
#BLACKARTISTEDITION
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MONTANACANS
REEBOK
COLLABORATION
Spring/Summer 2018
If the shoe fits, wear it
March 2018 saw the global release of the Spring/Summer MONTANA-CANS x REEBOK Club C 85, Classic
Leather and Workout Plus sneakers. For the second time, the synergy between these two iconic
brands went flawlessly hand in hand, just like sneakers and graffiti culture do. The three SS18 ranges sold
through, quickly making them instant collectors items, or proud straight-to-service footwear for their
new owners. Each release was celebrated with exclusive events and release parties at key footwear retailers
around the globe. Making the energy of the collaboartion even more infectious for participants
and onlookers.
The collaboration that originated back in early 2017, started it's path with the release of the Reebok
Classic #ALWAYSCLASSIC. Celebrating the basis of the Montana GOLD spray paint range, the series
rolled out in two powerful color ways featuring the tried and true Shock Black SH9000 and Shock White
SH9100.
The SS2018 campaign titled #ALWAYSCLASSIC, was amplified with the involvment of #HIDDENCLASSICS, in
the form of two very special, internationally renowned artists. The first being Czech born and Prague based
Sany. The second being the Argentinian/Spanish artist that never sleeps, Felipe Pantone (aka Pant1). Sany,
known as a female master of her game in a male dominated scene, continually delivers the anticipated highend
New York inspired, classic graffiti on the streets, that she is known and loved for. All with a fresh female
touch that breathes fresh air into this classic style. Felipe Pantone, king of the contemporary kinetic-meets
graffiti game, boldly goes where no writer has gone before. Taking with him a dynamic color pallet that is as
simple as it is complicated. With their attention to detail, they served up style as classic as the #ALWAYS
CLASSIC sneaker series itself.
THER | CLAS
Internationally, a multitude of media campaigns rolled out on all platforms. The audience for both
Montana-Cans and Reebok Classic both widened and strengthened considerabally. A historical collaboration
that is a true example of what can happen when two great entities with their hearts in the right
place come together.
GENDER: MEN’S
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#CLASSICGRAFFITI
#HIDDENCLASSICS
#ALWAYSCLASSIC
#REEBOKCLASSIC
#MONTANACANSXREEBOK
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REEBOK CLASSIC LEATHER
Never before was the statement "Classic not plastic" more relevant then
with the SS18 REEBOK CLASSIC LEATHER. The series was released in four
colorways which included Fern Green/Chalk, Blue Note/Chalk, Duck Season/
Chalk and Paris/Chalk.
#alwaysclassic #ReebokMontanaCans
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G6030 Lime
G6040 Lawn Green
G6050 Greenery
G6060 Fern Green
G6070 Smaragd Green
Montana GOLD Green Series G 6000-6090
The Montana GOLD with 215 colors gave an endless source of inspiration
for the development of the REEBOK CLASSIC LEATHER colorways. Keeping
grounded and staying in touch with terra firma is important what ever your
game plan. The G6000 green tones achieve just that so you never skip a beat.
#MontanaCansXReebokClassic #MontanaGOLD #GermanSpraypaint
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REEBOK CLASSIC LEATHER
Grey tones are timeless. Just like the REEBOK CLASSIC LEATHER itself.
This edition of the SS18 REEBOK CLASSIC LEATHER was available in three
colorways featuring Marble/Iron/Gravel (as shown), Cappucino/Toffee/Hot
Chocolate/Mushroom/Bone and Malachite Lite/Malachite.
#alwaysclassic #ReebokMontanaCans
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G7000 Pebble
G7010 Marble
G7020 Wall
G7030 Iron Curtain
G7050 Roof
Montana GOLD Grey Series G 7000-7090
With this edition of the REEBOK CLASSIC LEATHER we kept our feet on the
street, inspired by the Montana GOLD G7000 grey series, featuring the colors
of the pavements we walk and the cities we love. With 215 colors to choose
from and the most extensive selection of aesthetic grey tones, we only had to
follow our instincts.
#MontanaCansXReebokClassic #MontanaGOLD #GermanSpraypaint
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REEBOK CLUB C 85
1985 was a great year for sneaker innovation. As was 2018 with the
release of the SS18 REEBOK CLUB C 85 series that had a brand new look,
in five exciting colorways. The featured colorways were Manila Light/
Chalk, Purple/Dusty Pink/Chalk, Biege/Pebble/Chalk, Make Up/Chalk and
Mt. Fuji/Chalk.
#alwaysclassic #ReebokMontanaCans
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G4000 Baby Skin
G4010 Mortadella
G4020 Dusty Pink
G4030 Ancient Pink
G4040 Powder Pink
Montana GOLD Pink Series G 4000
In the developing of the SS2018 series REEBOK CLUB C 85 with five colorways,
it was important that all of the available 215 Montana GOLD colors
were carefully considered. Without fail good taste prevailed, and just the right
amount of steet style to make them the perfect kicks for any occassion.
#MontanaCansXReebokClassic #MontanaGOLD #GermanSpraypaint
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REEBOK WORKOUT PLUS
It doesn't matter if your hitting the gym or out on the track. The REEBOK
WORKOUT PLUS is the VIP for your feet when working up a sweat. In SS18
this edition was available in three colorways featuring Blue Note/Chalk,
Marble/Chalk and Manila/White....
#alwaysclassic #ReebokMontanaCans
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G5060 Blue Magic
G5075 Signal Blue
G5080 Ultramarine
G5085 Blue Note
G5090 Nautilus
Montana GOLD Blue Series G5100
The Montana GOLD 215 flowing colors leave ample room for style and class.
For this series of the REEBOK WORKOUT PLUS, colors as deep as the sea
were the inspiration for the G5000 blue tone colorways. With names like Blue
Note and Manila it was obvious this series would take us on an iconic journey.
#MontanaCansXReebokClassic #MontanaGOLD #GermanSpraypaint
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#MontanaCansXReebokClassic #MontanaGOLD #GermanSpraypaint
Purple / Dusty Pink / Chalk
Manila Light / Chalk
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MT. Fuji / Chalk
Make up / Chalk
Beige / Pebble / Chalk
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LOOKBOOK
019
Bavarian
Montana–CANS
B
lue
Blackbräu Edition
Montana-Cans and
Flying Förtress pays homage
to Oktoberfest
When the calender in Germany nears September, the people's
excitement and anticipation rises as the worlds most famous
festival is just around the corner. And the team at Montana-Cans
is no exception. Everyone the world over has heard of
OKTOBERFEST and this year we wanted pay homage to it.
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Since 1810 the Bavarian capital of Munich has celebrated this
internationally renowned peoples fest. The festival, which runs from
mid to late September until the first weekend in October, was
originally created to celebrate the marriage of the then Crown Prince
Ludwig with the Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Today,
OKTOBERFEST celebrates all things beer, festivities, the colors light blue
& white and of course, Sausage dogs (Dachshund).
Thats right, Sausage dogs.
The Dachshund is as Bavarian as
OKTOBERFEST itself. The stubborn little four
legged critter shares a lot of traits and characteristics
with the Bavarian folk themselves. Characteristics like loyalty,
inquisitiveness, assertiveness and determination. And did I mention
they were stubborn?
In the creation of the BLACKBRÄU Limited Edition
Bavarian Blue, we needed to call on someone special. Someone
that knew how to connect the dots on all these iconic
traditions and put them into one design that paid homage to
this cultural phenomenom.
There was no better artist to create such an artwork then
FLYING FÖRTRESS. Born and raised in Munich and
now living in the northern city of Hamburg, Germany,
FÖRTRESS is no stranger to the joys of drinking beer and the
beauty of the legendary Bavarian blue skies! With Beer & Bavaria in
his blood, the integration of the Dachshund in the limited
edition BLACKBRÄU Bavarian Blue design was a logical step for this
Oktoberfest insider.
In the world graffiti community, FÖRTRESS is maybe as famous
as Oktoberfest itself. As an integral member of the JBCB crew
and purveyor of all things cool, FÖRTRESS’s
work extends far into illustration, design, apparel and
collectible vinyl toy design.
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LOOKBOOK
019
IMAGINE
THE PATH OF
A FEMALE,
NEPALI ARTIST
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As a young girl growing up in Kathmandu, IMAGINE didn’t know
which path her future would take her on. In a country where wealth
is something only the visitors had, she grew up feeling as though the
teachers at her school were actually her bullies. Not exactly a role
model for self improvement or learning. But this only served as fuel
to the fire for her quest for knowledge and creativity. Fast forward till
the present day and what we see before us is not a victim. It is a self
empowered young lady that has manage to merge her language, her
culture and her creative output. With a sharp mind that can fire at will,
she also has a sharp calligraphic style to follow it up. Her uniquely
Nepali flair gives her a little something special that at first site can’t be
understood. ACRYLIC Artist Series with IMAGINE.
A Masters from the Harvard Graduate School of Education not only
opened her eyes and mind to the way she see’s the world, it also
taught her leadership to negotiate a path in an often male orientated,
creative world. It also educated her about the business of art. Knowing
how to plot a path to self sufficiency while staying true to the
style of art making that she loves. We recently managed an ACRYLIC
SESSION with IMAGINE and while she was making the marks, we
asked her a few questions to try and get a personal insight into her
life and art. Here is what she had to say:
1) When was the moment when you decided you wanted
to become full time artist and entrepreneur?
Everything happened over time. I don’t think being an artist
happens simply by deciding. There are so many other factors
that need to align for this to be possible. What I did decide on,
was to follow my passion and started connecting the dots after
that.
2) I understand you graduated from the Harvard
Graduate School of Education. How do you combine
this with your art? How does the merge between these
two enrich your daily life?
Yes, I received my Masters from the Harvard Graduate School
of Education where I learned about leadership, technology
and creativity in Education. Education is an area of interest
for me because sharing, learning and teaching is so important
to create better understanding in the world. Growing up in
Kathmandu, Nepal, I didn’t get the best education. My teachers
often felt like my bullies and I was convinced that I was a dumb
kid. Good education should do the opposite. Children should
be encouraged to see the world with limitless imagination. So I
always wondered about how other Nepali children like me can
best learn. One of the things that helped me with my education
and overall development was art. And this is why I founded the
Children’s Art Museum of Nepal in 2013, so that children growing
up in Nepal like me have a place where they can express
themselves creatively. So…long story short, Education is a big
part of who I am as a person. My art is a visual representation
of my voice. My voice comes from my understanding of the
world and academia helps me inform my thoughts. Education
and development issues are close to my heart because I know
about these from first hand experience growing up in a poor
country. So I find it’s important to learn about them and understand
them beyond just my experience.
3) What do you think is the role of the artists in our
society nowadays and specially urban artists?
I think the role of artists is to make people see things differently
than they would otherwise. I see my role as beautifying spaces
by sharing my culture and native language through my art.
Learning about a world different than yours, can improve your
understanding of the world.
4) What does Montana Cans represent to you? —
specially the ACRYLIC markers and inks for calligraphy.
Montana Cans represents to me a creative freedom and versatility.
Montana Cans has continuously improved its product
similar to a creative process where iteration is a big part of
the finished product. I love the chisel tip ACRYLIC Markers
because it’s great to use it for my handstyle. The ink flows well
and is super opaque. My work is heavily influenced by my culture
and my native language. Being born and raised in Nepal,
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LOOKBOOK
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I take rituals, philosophies and especially colors from my Hindu-Buddhist
up bringing. Color is so important to my work and
Montana Cans provides a range of colors that resonate with
me. (Favorite color is Royal Red). Another thing is that Montana
Cans products are still not fully available in Nepal so I see it as
a privilege I have earned to regularly use high quality products
that I didn’t have around me as a young kid.
5) Do you have any special projects that you have been
involved with recently that you want to tell us about?
Yes! I recently released a collaboration with Reebok for their
Artist Collective line. I had a great time working with the Reebok
team with complete creative freedom. You can see more of it
reebok.com/IMAGINE. Another great opportunity came about
when Facebook invited me to participate in their Facebook
Artist in Residence program. I created a large installation for
their new office in Cambridge and I had a blast!
I recently painted for POW!WOW! Nepal, which very special. I
have had a lot of fun painting twice at POW!WOW! Worcester
so I was very much looking forward for POW!WOW! Nepal because
it was in my hometown of Kathmandu where I grew up!
It was amazing traveling back to my hometown of Kathmandu
for POW!WOW! Nepal, and I was so thankful for the opportunity.
It was my two very different worlds coming together and I can’t
think of a more cathartic life experience. Like… when have I ever
painted a wall where I’m with all these amazing international
artists, but also have my people speaking my native language
around me? And I also have my best friend and my MOM watch
me paint??? My street art and mural world that largely lives in
the United States, met with my world in Nepal that I grew up
in. I am not sure if I am able to express to you how amazing
this is for a Nepali kid to experience this. My world is so big
and so small at the same time. I am forever grateful for art
making this possible in my life…I made sure to take time to
take it all in, each and everyday. Right now I’m painting a
building for the Harvard-Sparked space called “Zone 3”, on
Western Ave in Allston. During my time at Harvard, I spent
a lot of time at the Harvard Innovations Lab at the Harvard
Business School, so coming back to paint something for this
area means a lot to me.
6) As a woman, what are the difficulties you have faced in
the street art/ urban art scene? How do you think women
and men should face these together and create awareness
for everyone else, so there’s a possibility of sorority
and equality for the future generations of artists?
I think as a woman, there are difficulties to navigate through the
art world and street art isn’t any different. I think women should
face them in a way they would approach any other sort of work,
stand your ground, be confident and have an undeniable work
ethic. Women supporting other women is also a powerful thing
and I feel lucky to be part of Few and Far Crew, where we do
just this.
7) What are your up and coming projects? What’s next in
the career path of IMAGINE?
My future plans is to continue pursuing my art career. This
summer, I am wrapping up a prestigious artist residency with
the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, which I am very, very excited
for. It’s another opportunity for me to create more work
and share it with this city that I love so much. I will continue
making my way into galleries across the country and paint as
many walls as I can! I am also working on designing the Visiting
Artist Program at Harvard’s South Asia Institute so I can’t wait
to share it with everybody.
www.imagine876.com
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LOOKBOOK
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instagram.com/imagine876
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LOOKBOOK
019
It has been a long time
since Chaz Barrisson and
Bob Gibson have lived
in London. The town
that not only played a
seminal role in the early
development of their
creativity, but also stuck
with them in the naming
of thier collaborative
artistic identity, "The
London Police", (aka
TLP).
In every artistic life there
is a time to travel and
gather new impulses.
For the TLP this was
1998 when Chaz and Bob
set sail for Amsterdam.
The purpose; to brighten
the streets of the
Netherlandic capital,
re-charge their creative
inspiration and probably
drain their physical
batteries a little in
the party culture that
Amsterdam is famous
for. 2002 saw the TLP
fall under the global art
radar and the travelling
expanded, as did the
member count for the
TLP itself. Since then,
London Policemen have
come and gone but
Bob and Chaz, the two
founding members are
here to stay. All be it in
Amsterdam.
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THE
LONDON
POLICE
NO NEED
TO CALL
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LOOKBOOK
019
The TLP's artistic path
has been a dynamic one.
The establishing of the
"LAD" characters created
by Chaz, have secured
them a firm place in the
modern history of street
art and graffiti.
The quirky little smiley
faces first popped up
everywhere like "buy
now" advertising in bus
stops all over the world.
With the help of Bob,
who can draw a mean
portrait and architectural
illustrations, they have
now taken a multitude of
shapes and contexts in
various locations all over
the globe.
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LOOKBOOK
019
www.stadt-wand-kunst.de/the-london-police
www.thelondonpolice.com
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We first came into close contact
with the TLP during their
involvement with the ONE
WALL project in Berlin 2016.
The project curated by the UR-
BAN NATION museum allowed
the lads to paint their "LADS",
in mammoth proportions at
Tegel Park. In 2018 the second
occassion presented itself for
us to get to know the TLP even
better.
And this time thanks to the
Stadt.Wand.Kunst Mural festival
(SWK) in Mannheim, Germany,
the meeting was in our own
back yard.
The TLP are a special kind of
entity in the wider culture of
street art. The lads Bob and
Chaz are not just your standard
graffiti artists. They are thinkers,
film makers, exhibiting
artists, photographers, installation
artists and musicians. And
above all, they have a positive
drive behind each creative adventure
they undertake.
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Things
just got "WEIRD"
The artist
making
multi tasking
look easy
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Frau Isa is not your average lady, nor is she an average artist.
This Austrian born lady is the epitomy of multi tasking. With
a creative path that started many years before with classic
graffiti, her creative evolution has taken her to new heights
and new places. Her art isn't just a form of self indulgence.
Not only does art feed her creative sole, but it also helps feed
her family as well.
Frau Isa simultaneously wears many hats. She is not only an artist,
she is a mother, illustrator, graphic designer, mural painter and illustration
company owner with her husband Oliver. When she is
not spending time with her main love of painting with acrylics on
canvas, then she is in the digital world creating artworks for clients.
And if that alone is not enough to occupy her time, there is also her
position at the trigger end of a spray can while painting murals.
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In the European summer of 2018, Frau Isa who is also member
of the now European wide collective "The WEIRD", arrived in
Mannheim, Germany with the challenge of painting an eight
story building for the Stadt.Wand.Kunst festival. With a bit of
support from her husband Oliver and crew mate Cone (also of
"The WEIRD" crew), the mural took shape in the Mannheim urban
landscape and the warm pallet brought a positive glow to
the streetscape that is now adored by all. Frau Isa rose to the
occasion creating the mural titled "Aeskulap".
After the Aeskulap mural, we invited ourselves to visit Frau Isa
in her studio/office "WALD UND SCHWERT" in Vienna, Austria.
The visit enabled us to take a peak into where she thinks, creates
and ponders on both free and commercial art projects. The
occasion also brought on the opportunity to film the newest edition
of the Montana "ACRYLIC SERIES" films.
Her studio was well prepared with all the tools of a master
crafts person. Montana GOLD, Montana ACRYLIC markers,
Montana ACRYLIC Empties and ACRYLIC Refill paints. It was
obvious to see that Frau Isa was as comfortable with small
scale art making as she was with large mural work. Not disappointing,
we were drawn into the world of someone who
has many worlds moving at once. With passion and vigor,
she brings her creativity and personality into world that has
enough room for color.
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Mannheim/Germany
Linz/Austria
Sheffield, UK
www.frau-isa.com
instagram.com/frauisa
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LOOKBOOK
019
A
L
A
G
The genre with
no end in sight
Graffiti has come a long way since the
kids of the Philadelphian and New York
ghettos were scribbling their names
on their block. What was once a silent
scream to be seen rather then heard,
catapulted itself into an ever-growing
art form. The mold set by writers of the
70's and soon after graffiti found its way
in grand scale on the outside of the New
York subway system. Modern graffiti as
we know it was born.
Graffiti spent the next 20-30 years evolving and
maturing. The whole time, the underlying connection
however loose it had become, was LETTERS.
What was once a set pattern (first outline, fill-in,
background, final outline), morphed vigerously into
new territories where the shape and form of letters
themselves were being constantly challenged,
reinvented and reinterpreted on a daily basis.
Final outlines first, backgrounds in the fill-in, or no
background at all. In contemporary graffiti, any idea
is possible and it is not reliant on the institution of
the gallery, or the green light from the "industry"
to survive.
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In contemporary graffiti it's
not relevant if you’re old or
young. It matters what you
do, where you did it and how
it looked. Instagram, Facebook
and the buff limits your
window of real world exposure
as with most graffiti that
came and went before you.
Documentation and constant
creation is your only hope to
survive. Unlike in the white
cube where artists are bought
and sold/come and go, on the
street your only as good as
your last idea.
In 2018 we were lucky
enough to support and
nurture some of these letter
innovators that lay their
focus not on regurgitating
the classics, but in creating
new classics for others to
regurgitate later.
www.montana-cans.blog/Graffiti
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LOOKBOOK
019
2000nce
INSTAGRAM.COM/2000NCE
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Artists like
BONDTRULUV,
PREF, AMUSE,
VOYDER,
ANGEL TOREN
and ERNEST
are raising the
bar, in their quest
to see the light
at the end of the
never ending
graffiti tunnel.
AMUSE
INSTAGRAM.COM/AMUSE.126
73

LOOKBOOK
019
BOND_TRULUV
INSTAGRAM.COM/BONDTRULUV
ANGEL TOREN
INSTAGRAM.COM/ANGELTOREN
74

ERNEST
INSTAGRAM.COM/ERNESTILLM
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LOOKBOOK
019
PREF_ID
INSTAGRAM.COM/PREF_ID
D
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VOYDER
INSTAGRAM.COM/VOYDER
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#MontanaBLACK
#GermanSpraypaint
#NCFormula

"A consulting space for
Concrete to base themselves,
a location that stocks the
worlds number one paint brand
(Montana Cans) with it's whole
product range, an exhibiting
space for world class graffiti/
urban/ fine art, a venue for
inspiring events and a new
"go-to" location for writers and
artists alike to exchange ideas
and build relationships."
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#MontanaStoreVienna
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The last 10 years has been a dynamic period for
graffiti, urban art and street culture in Austria. With
Vienna being the capital, it has also served as the
hotspot for artists to come together, imagine and
create. In the wave of activity, the art consultancy
agency "Concrete" has been in the thick of it
all. Not to mention a driving force in the need
and consumption, of Montana Cans products in
Vienna. Through their hard work and increased
agency jobs, a logical idea arose that maybe they
should be a destination for materials and ideas.
On Saturday 26th of May 2018, the MONTANA STORE
VIENNA x CONCRETE was born. The store unites all
the strengths of the Austrian graffiti movement in one
location. A Consulting space for Concrete to base
themselves, a location that stocks the worlds number
one paint brand (Montana Cans) with it's whole product
range, an exhibiting space for world class graffiti/ urban/
fine art, a venue for inspiring events and a new "go-to"
location for writers and artists alike, to exchange ideas
and build relationships.
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Photography by Akos Vincze
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The proprietors of the store Maira Kerschner,
Paul Hoffman and Fabian Pohl bring with them
many years of experience and paint under their
finger nails. The team offers sound advice to
customers combining graffiti, street and fine art
materials with the services of the CONCRETE
agency, which includes concept development,
consultancy and creation of murals.
MONTANA STORE VIENNA x CONCRETE
has firmly proven itself as a must see destination
for local and travelling artists. It is a true compliment
on board the Montana Cans store family,
having close ties with its sister store, MONTANA
STORE FRANKFURT-CANPIRE.
montanastorevienna.com
instagram.com/montanastorevienna
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#ULTRAWIDE #GAMECHANGER #GermanSpraypaint

NE UNITED
OWER
ETTING
UP ON
OCIETY
The crew that plays together, stays together.
Bonded by the love of graffiti.
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The concept of crews is one that has been in the
graffiti community since the beginning.
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@1up_crew_official
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1UP is a force to be reckoned with and shows
no signs slowing down.

GETTING 1UP
ON SOCIETY
The concept of crews is one that has been in the graffiti community
since the beginning. If we look closer at the history of graffiti, we
can see that the culture of acting in groups existed in the form of
gangs marking their turf even long before it became organized
and we called it graffiti.
Thankfully the gang element has receeded into the background
for most artists, it is no wonder that there are many crews in the
world today practicing their art in the bond of friendship. One crew
is truely unique in their focus on the idea of "just for the crew". This
crew is ONE UNITED POWER crew (aka 1UP). Primarily based in
Berlin, 1UP is more like a family. A network, a secret society, or
even an organisation of friends that have become such a close
unit that they have left their own graffiti identities behind, all for
the benefit of the crew.
1UP is now a global entity which doesn't just recruit strategic
members in key cities or graffiti hotspots to increase their
brand strength. Each member entering the fold through friendship
and shared experiences that were founded on trust. 1UP is humans
of all professions and orientations that have come together to
share their skills and create. Bonded by the love of graffiti.
In the background, a James Bond like underground network
of helpers and supporters that carry out varied tasks to assure the
crews safety. Like checking, spotting new locations, escape routes,
developing entry methods and collecting devises for untraceable
communication. The essential crew code is "all for the crew", and
safety is a top priority.
2018 has seen a plethora of actions, projects and exhibitions
the world over for 1UP. Whether it be collaborations with world
renowned graffiti photographer Martha Cooper to create the "One
week with 1UP" book, or showing at the now iconic Urban Nation
Museum in their home town Berlin. 1UP is a force to be reckoned
with and shows no signs slowing down with the relentless drive to
create and achieve.
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Photography by Martha Cooper,
Ninja K & 1UP
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#MontanaBLACK
#GermanSpraypaint
#NCFormula

STEEL IS REAL, a
proverb that often
exits the mouths
of graffiti artists
globally.
In every country where
freight trains can be
found, whether it is due
to long transport distances,
few inhabitants or a
strong economy of import/export.
Freight trains
are that "other" steel that
a lot of artists turn to,
to develop their creative
tendencies.
Over the years, the changing
shape of freight trains
and ever growing distances
that they travel across
borders and continents
has made them an even
more attractive target
as substrate for graffiti
artwork.
Freight
Train
Graffiti
That other "steel"
that is
just as real
98

In the high security world
of camera's, guards,
sensors and unscalable
fences, the prospect of
more time and less stress
is an enticing one. For
those well practiced in
the art of freight train
painting, a sense of preference
can occur when
the artwork being created
becomes more suitable
for the windowless shape
of the often-giant metal
monsters. Watching your
name go by 6 months,
12 months or even years
later is a novel luxury not
often possible in other disciplines
of illegal graffiti.
Watch this space, as your
name could go by over,
and over again. Each time
with a little more dust, a
little more rust and a little
more romance then the
last time.
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Montana
BOLD
With alcoholbased,
MADE-TO-
STAY Ultra Ink
An experienced writer knows that the key to success
is to keep both yourself and your tools stealth.
With BOLD markers that look so impressive, this may
be harder than it sounds.The BOLD marker range
is uncompromising and functional, fused with a
sophisticated and lean look that is classic, not plastic.
The marker bodies are made of premium aluminum that
provide a superb haptic. Filled with the finest alcoholbased
ultra black ink, they come in a tone aptly
named „strong black“. This luscious, deep black ink is
waterproof and UV-resistant, but not clothing friendly
so take care when using it while wearing your Sunday
bests. The combination of our low viscosity ink and
the premium German made pump action valve, allows
marking on almost any surface with high ink flow,
reliably and consistently. Because in the tagging game,
it is the artist whom decides, juicy and drippy, or clean
and tight?
The range consists of four model sizes, plus refill ink,
which covers all your bases to make any idea you have
possible. The BOLD range starts with a 3mm chisel (6ml),
followed by a 8mm round (20ml), 10mm chisel (20ml) and
a 15mm standard (20ml) tip. To reload, we have a 200ml
refill inkbottle that completes the range with ease and
efficiency. The changeable tips breathe new life into any
battle scared marker, whatever surface you have used it
on. Montana BOLD, ready for anything.
105

#MontanaMarkers
#MontanaBOLD
#BOLDUltraInk
www.montana-cans.com/bold
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Calli-
Graffiti
Contemporary
calligraphy
in the
urban space
Even before books were created and printed, artisans were covering
pages with ornate calligraphy; to inform and impress those
educated enough to be able to read. Stemming into an art form of
its own, the evolution of the printing press meant that calligraphy
would no longer exists in the same way as it did next to its industrialized
brother—the printed letter.
Many years later for the second time, it would experience another
attach from a letter writing practice that was not actually out kill
it off. In fact the opposite would occur when graffiti came along
and graffiti writers with an inclination for hand styles, would
merge it into their practice creating a new discipline that is affectionately
known as CALLIGRAFFITI.
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www.montana-cans.blog

The straight caps that were once the norm for many spray can producers
around the world, would also celebrate a return to popularity
as artist interested in Calligraphy tried their hand at creating larger
then life Calligraffiti tags. The larger and straighter the output, the
closer the practice came to its roots. The closer it came to its roots, the
more it developed into a new form of graffiti writing within the many
disciplines of the art form.
Then came the game changer, the Montana ULTRAWIDE. The introduction
of this can opened creative doors for Calligraffiti practitioners,
that had never before been thought possible. The result is a
traditional practice that now breathes new life in a new environment.
And with artists like STOHEAD, SICOER and OSCAR, we hope to see
the Calligraffiti envelope being pushed for a long time to come.
111

In every sub movement of art, there has always some star performers,
innovators or flag bearers. Artists that take their new discipline
and turn it into something much, much, more. Christoph Hässler
is one such person. Also known as STOHEAD, he was born 1973 in
Schwäbisch Hall, Germany. Being there from the beginning of the
global graffiti surge, STOHEAD whom now works and resides in Berlin
was part of the "Getting Up" group show in 1999. The "Getting Up",
exhibition was one of the most important contemporary Graffiti-Fine
Art group exhibitions to put graffiti onto the European gallery radar
since Yaki Kornblit brought New York graffiti to the Amsterdam art
scene in 1983. Later representing BC Gallery in 2015 at the SCOPE Basel,
STOHEAD has come a long way taking his love of tags, script, calligraphy
and the context of words, way beyond those humble times in 1999.
The discipline of calligraffiti rising to another level. Whether it be exploring
societies new buzz words, song lyrics or just randomly chosen
words, he recreates, repeats and abstracts his content till it becomes
abstract patterns that intern become the basis for new mark making
and image building. A heavy user of the Montana SPIDER can, STO-
HEAD has forged a path in contemporary art and taken calligraffiti
with in the process using an innovating tool that back then no one
else quite knew what to do with. But it wasn't just STOHEAD that "got
it". The international graffiti world was watching and his global peers
112

that also focused on the new direction of raw script based graffiti, also
morphed it into an artform of it's own. With fellow international innovators
like Astro, Theosone, Oscar, Sicoer and Hoker, the unspoken
graffiti rule of left to right classic graffiti in horizontal format is being
actively re-written. With new virticle, circular and geometric postioning
opening not just doors for calligraffiti artists, but the graffiti
movement as a whole. Including the introduction of innovative new
tools such as the Montana SPIDER, ULTRAWIDE and MARBLE EFFECT
sprays, the future for the art of Calligraffiti is limitless.
INSTAGRAM.COM/STOHEAD
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Deception as far as the eye can see
Hailing from the suburbs of Northern Paris, since 2000 the artist
Astro has been questioning the bounds of the very space he paints
on. With strong ellements of calligraphy, graffiti and abstract art,
his exploitation of shadows and light results in optical illusions
that draw viewers into a 2 dimensional space, that looks deceivingly
3 dimensional.
INSTAGRAM.COM/ASTRO_ODV_CBS
117

LOOKBOOK
019
ROTTERDAM 2018
EUROPE GETS
ITS FIRST TASTE
OF POW! WOW!
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With a city slogan like "Rotterdam—Make it happen", it was
no wonder that the harbour city of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands
is the first city to host the internationally renowned
and proudly Montana Cans supported, POW! WOW! Festival.
This lively city has been experiencing a boom like never
before. The financial and cultural progressions have meant
the city has outgrown its tall, grey, dreary, concrete structures.
All of which cover this shipping metropolis. These
are the very same structures that have until now, given it
its mood. Grey, industrial and far from motivational. However
the Rotterdam of today runs at a different speed. It's
spritely, upbeat and multicultural. On the ground, there is
color, action and the atmosphere is positive.
The perfect time, place and context to host
A hub of creativity and a centre for art, Rotterdam has
been home to artists for centuries. Names like the late Willem
De Kooning are amongst some of the talents to call the
city home. Fast forward to September 15 & 16, 2018 and
the POW! WOW! Festival arrives. Bringing with it more artistic
big names with the common goal to spread color and
create together. The only greys as far as the eye could see
were the specifically chosen Montana Cans grey tones that
carefully fit within their specifically chosen concepts. The
local aerosol heavy weights rubbed shoulders and shared
ideas with their equally motivated, international peers. An
energy shared and celebrated by the onlookers and festival
goers who were also rewarded in the evening by the
classic POW! WOW! musical celebrations, that also saw
both local and international artists rock the stages.
Unique to the POW! WOW! Rotterdam event, the artistic
endeavours were split into three artistic platforms.
POW! WOW!
ROTTERDAM — 2018.
Large-scale murals featuring:
BIER EN BROOD, DAN KITCHENER,
DANNY RUMBL, DILK, DOPIE,
DZIA & SONS,
ENIGMA GEOMETRICKS,
FANAKAPAN, I AM EELCO,
KARSKI & BEYOND,
ME LIKE PAINTING, MR. JUNE,
NUNO VIEGAS, OZON, SUPER A,
TELMO MIEL, ZEPHA.
20 vans 30 cans (van painting) featuring:
CES53, HIPSTERSKULLS,
JOREN JOSHUA.,
ILSE WEISFELT, IVES ONE,
JAKE, LEMPKE, GOMAD,
MICK LA ROCK, MISTER,
NASH, NEAS, OLES, OX ALIEN,
PAGE3, POP-EYE, SAID KINOS,
SREK, STOOG, SUNK.
And PART ONE unique group exhibition, curated by
Rewriters010 featuring:
DAGMAR DERKSEN, DALIT LYMOR,
FRANKY STICKS, ILONA BAL,
KID KURA, NAAMLOOOZZ,
QUIN DE VREEDE, RIQ E TIQ,
THIJS LANSBERGEN, TIM MULDER.
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No one has a crystal ball telling us what will happen when
in the future. But it is safe to say that POW! WOW! Rotterdam
was not only the first POW! WOW! in Europe, but it was
also one of the major graffiti and street art events for the
Netherlands, and surrounding European region. The proof
is in the pudding, Rotterdam "Made it happen".
Photography by Martine Kiers
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The artist actually known as… 1010 (Ten
Ten). The name, the word, the numbers.
It all sounds as mysterious as the artist
himself, who by choice tries to stay anonymous.
Most readers today are spoilt with
a gamut of information when they read an
article about a contemporary artist. And
the lack of information makes 1010 the
artist, and his art work even more intriguing
and appealing.
So what do we actually know about
1010? The internet tells us he was born in
1979 in Poland, moving to Germany when
he was 8 years old. And that he now resides
in Hamburg. In an interview below he tells
us he did his first pieces in 1994. This must
mean he was 15. We know first hand that
Montana-Cans is a proud regular supporter
of his work. His work is inspired by his
old Amiga 500, cartoons, fantasy novels
and comics. And the breakthrough year
when his iconic wall portals surfaced in
his art was 1994.
It is not just his designs that are illusionary.
With a clever twist of decision
and fate, 1010 happily uses the Montana
GOLD fluorescent colors, knowing that
all fluor colors fade faster and have limited
life spans against UV exposure. As the
sun takes control these fluorescent colors
descend back into the portals as the color
tones do themselves. Illusively drawing us
in further.
Over recent years his popularity has exploded,
as has the complexity of his artworks.
A now global artist, 1010 worked
at the MontanaCans supported “STADT
WAND KUNST” (SWK) festival in Mannheim,
Germany. The festival which has
run since 2013 initiated by Alte Feuerwache
Mannheim, has seen the contents of
many Montana GOLD and Montana BLACK
cans emptied upon the grand facades of
the Mannheim streetscapes. With 16 world
class murals already on it’s list, 1010 became
an honorary part of the 2018 addition
to this massive open air gallery.
With a prolific international gallery
presence as well, 1010 is in no way limited
by size or scale. His illusionary black holes
and organic dissenting portals move visually
into a 3rd dimension that doesn’t
physically exist. They function just as well
in the studio as they do on the street.
Whether it be on paper, canvas or any
other substrate, acrylic paint, water color
and even pixels in the digital realm are all
tools to create for this diverse artist. We
had the chance to ask 1010 a view questions—interview
on the next page!
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SOME QUESTIONS FOR 1010
Q: In the art world where your
identity is often your business
card, what actually brought you
to the decision to stay anonymous?
Is it working and do you
still have your private sphere?
A: I just want to do art and show
the results, not to share my
private life online. I’m not too
worried though about people
coming up to me while I’m
painting at a wall and having a
chat.
Q: Does this effect the success of
your artistic career path?A: No
idea, I haven´t tried the opposite!
Q: Was there a single moment
in 2012 where you had a break
through that led to the path of
creating the illusionary portals
that you are now famous for
(if we may call them that)? If
yes, what was the context of
that moment? Do you ever feel
trapped in this decision or even
without experiencing success
with this concept, would you be
painting this idea anyway?A: No
special moment. But a period of
time where I’ve shifted from describing
in paintings, to searching
through paintings. I started
painting in 1994, so its not the
first time I shifted. Coming from
classic graffiti characters with
their 15 standard expressions,
the first bigger change in my
works was to reduce the color
palette and also to get rid of every
kind of face, or easy to interpret
pose… Over time, I also got
rid of characters and my main
focus at the moment is perception.
Basically as an artistic
method I add or I take away. I
check if the opposite of what I
think is right or functions best
might also work. If something
works or something doesn´t
work, I would just try the opposite
to find out if it maybe works
too? From there you just take
the next step.
Q: Montana Cans prides itself
on making world class tools for
creating. And in this case as you
are a world classed artist, we
were wondering what is your
favorite Montana Cans product
and why? How did you come to
this conclusion.A: For outside:
The calligraphy and flat jet caps,
some of the Montana GOLD
transparent tones. For Inside:
Since I work with an airbrush in
my studio and I mix most of my
colors myself, I really got hooked
on the ACRYLIC 180ml refill bottles,
especially also the empty
ones.Q: Is there any place, space
or substrate on your artistic
wish list that you would love to
paint one of your designs on? If
so which/where?A: Yes, a ton of
them…
Q: Do you first create designs
that you execute large scale on
walls and then get inspired to
make smaller studio works from
this experience? Is it a classic
draw first, expand and paint
later? Or do all projects studio/
street/festival all mix into each
other?A: It goes all the different
ways.
Q: How many coffee’s do you
need to finish one painting?
A: Usually I drink around 2 coffees
a day. So mannheim took
me 10 coffees and 8 Club Mate’s
It is safe to say that it doesn’t really
matter who 1010 the person
is. His art work amazes and has
the ability to invite any viewer,
of any experience level, in any
language, to stop and contemplate
what they are looking at.
More often than not also offering
a positive experience while
doing it. This is a skill that not all
artists possess.
www.stadt-wand-kunst.de/1010
www.montana-cans.blog/murals
@stadtwandkunst
@1010zzz
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HE
ERLIN
URAL
ESTIVAL
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NOTHER
ERLIN
RT BANG

A STIFF
NECK
GUARAN-
TEED!
#nackenstarregarantiert
Many mural festivals brace the bricks and concrete of walls all
over the world. Some are unique, others are even more unique! In
2017, Montana Cans was proud to support the Berlin collaborative
team of “Die Dixons”. Die Dixons made public art history
with their unique project, THE HAUS. Through a fruitful long term
partnership with DIE DIXONS, Montana-Cans recognised a long
time ago the efforts of this prolific and dynamic trio. Just as the
people of their home town Berlin who have welcomed the many
amazing artworks that resulted from their engagement and hard
work.
DIE DIXONS consists of artists Bolle, Kimo und Jörni. THE HAUS
which was conceptualised and curated by them, took over a
full building with the help of 165 other artists in the creation of
installations in many artistic disciplines prior to the buildings destruction.
The site which was a former bank was a “no camera’s
allowed” environment, leaving only memories and experiences to
hold on to (or let go of), for those that visited and participated in
the project.
But behind closed doors a new dream was being had by DIE
DIXONS. With a little creative watering and some of Berlin’s first
rays of pre-summer sunlight, the seed of THE BERLIN MURAL
FESTIVAL (BMF) had grown, and its inaugural opening happened
on May 19th, 2018. At colossal speed, the city of Berlin saw an
impressive array of color burst into its streetscape in the form of
over 30 painted house facades.
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montana-cans.blog/berlin-mural-fest
berlinmuralfest.de
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PARTICIPATING
ARTISTS WERE
Mario Monkey, Huariu,
Tank, Telmo Miel & James
Bullough, Onur, Wes21,
Heraut, Arsek & Erase,
One Truth, Notes of Berlin,
Natalia Rak, Millo, Snik,
Nuno Viegas, Klebebande,
Isakov, Insane51, SizeTwo,
MTO, Elle, Tasso, El Bocho,
Case Maclaim, Akte One,
Cren, Mr. Woodland, Kera,
Ghettostars
and many more!
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Photography by Berlin Mural Fest
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Metropolink Festival 2018

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LOOKBOOK
019
METROPOLINK
FESTIVAL
2018
Metropolink Festival 2018
www.
metropolink-festival
.net

Taking spaces
in Heidelberg,
Germany
In 2018, the METROPOLINK Festival has reached
its 4th consecutive year running. And as a proud
supporter, Montana-Cans and all the onlookers
saw another diverse line up of internationally recognized
and very talented artists do their thing.
With diversity being the key word, just some of
the artists featured this year were HERAKUT,
QUINTESSENZ, KERA, JAN PAUL and SWEET
UNO. With a generous supply of walls through
out the Heidelberg district, and abundance of
Montana BLACK and Montana GOLD cans did
what they were made to do in the creation of
many large-scale murals. With a unique mix
of the inhabited and uninhabited, many walls
painted were on old US army barrack buildings
located in the now sought after development district
of Heidelberg. Each building brought with it a
certain mystique, adding to the final outcome of
artwork being created on it.
With the scent of military personnel being long
gone, the smell of acrylic paint and Montana
Cans was the relevant fragrance of choice. No
two artworks the same, the festival explored
the whole gamut of street art, fine art and
graffiti. As far as the eye could see, color was
creeping up on every square meter of brick.
Daunting eyes, linear graphic work, and typographic
graffiti-ism.
Photography by Daniel Schreiber
www.metropolink-festival.net
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LOOKBOOK
019
Metropolink Festival 2018
A definite highlight for METROPOLINK
2018 was the presence of the Portuguese
street artist Bordalo II who tackles
a socially relevant global issue of
plastic waste. The artist is scratching
the nerves of our time while building
huge animals out of trash bins, carwheels
or plastic pipes. Bordalo II created
two unique works of art: With the
mentioned materials, the artist created
the 6x5m Half Martha on the facade
of a former US church in Heidelberg
Südstadt.
For the second piece he collaborated
with a group of refugees
on the former US Army Housing
Estate Patrick-Henry-Village.
Staring in the face of the truth
however distorted, the onlookers
were left with the oily taste
of contemplation and colorful
amazement.
Photography by Daniel Schreiber

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Metropolink Festival 2018

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@mr.stan_nats

THE MONTANA BLACK
INFRA COLORS
The Montana BLACK INFRA Fluorescent colors glow under incident
UV-Light! Now available with an optimized formula!
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BLK IN 1000 Infra Yellow
Warning!! No need to look away or put on a safety vest. Montana BLACK Infra Yellow has
got it covered and has everyone paying attention.
BLK IN 2000 Infra Orange
The night sky is full of luminous lights that shine brightly even without the obvious help of the
sun. Take your artwork to another galaxy with Montana BLACK Infra Orange!
BLK IN 3000 Infra Red
It’s getting hot in here, but leave your clothes on as Montana BLACK Infra Red is
bringing the heat. So hot it burns, making any graffiti artwork pop with vibrance.

BLK IN 4000 Infra Pink
The Pink Panther would have been jealous of the new quality Montana BLACK Infra Pink. As
classy as a panther, this fluorescent is definitely an eye catcher.
BLK IN 4500 Infra Violet
If lavender fields of southern France could glow in the dark, they would probably be as
intense as Montana BLACK Infra Violet on a white background.
BLK IN 6000 Infra Green
Take yourself back to those classic 80’s monster films, the Montana BLACK Infra Green’s intensity looks as toxic as
any slime or goo that any of those monsters may have had dripping off them. Add a touch of goo to your artwork!

LOOKBOOK
019
THE Montana BLACK
INFRA UPDATE
Since the beginning of time, man has been using
color to mark his surroundings and record his path
in life. Fluorescent colors which were a completely
man made creation, took the playing field of color to
a complete other level. Graffiti art was not immune
to the alure and intensity that fluorescent colors can
offer. But it took quite a while before the balance
of beauty and science would occur, bringing with it
paint in the quality that graffiti writers needed.
Since the creation of the current quality Montana
BLACK range, the INFRA colors have always been
high performing fluorescent colors in the eyes of
graffiti artists the world over. Without fail, they delivered
luminosity, coverage and handling. But that
was never enough for us. We wanted them to be
even better! The new formula INFRA colors don’t
just cover more surface area then before, they boast
increased color vibrance and the same performance
and handling that you know and love from the Montana
BLACK range.
But we didn’t rest on our laurels. We knew we needed
to get the green light from some serious color users
before we had a formula that was ready to hit the
streets of the world. So we called in some of the best.
SOBEKCIS, STAN NATS and ONE TWO SPLASH, to
push the new BLACK INFRA colors to their limits to
make sure they were as good as we thought they had
become. The results are easy to see with some eye
popping artwork with ultra intensity.
The new Montana BLACK INFRA colors have more
opacity for better coverage and an increased color
brilliance, making the colors even more intense. So
you can cover a greater surface area in a shorter period
of time. The INFRA Fluorescent colors also glow
under incident UV-Light.
154

ON INSTAGRAM:
@MR.STAN_NATS
@ONE_TWO_SPLASH
@SOBEKCIS
WWW.MONTANA-CANS.COM
#BLACKINFRA
#GERMANSPRAYPAINT
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LOOKBOOK
019
IMPRINT
Media owner and publisher:
MONTANA-CANS
Editorial design | Art direction:
MONTANA-CANS,
Juliane Gutschmidt, Alexander Krziwanie
Texts:
René Van Kan, Maria Enriqueta Arias
Special thanks to all contributing photographers:
Jordan Katz, Alexander Krziwanie, Jok Sauer (MONTANA-CANS)
Felipe Pantone, ZZtop, Edward Nightingale, Martine Kiers,
Daniel Schreiber, Daniel Wetzel, Ninja K, Martha Cooper, Akos Vincze
Special thanks to:
Mina & Bruce, Most, Felipe Pantone, Good Guy Boris,
Happy Socks, Flying Förtress, Reebok Classic, Imagine876, The London Police,
Montana Store Vienna, Amuse126, Frau Isa, BondTruLuv, 2000nce, Angel
Toren, Ernest Illm, Pref_ID, Voyder, 1UP, Sicoer, Oscar Handstyles, Sweetuno,
1010, Theosone, Hokerone, Stohead, Astro, POW! WOW! Rotterdam, Nuno
Viegas, Berlin Mural Fest, Die Dixons, Stadt.Wand.Kunst, Metropolink, Stan
Nats, Sobekcis, One Two Splash, Herakut, Case Maclaim, Kid Roise, Frost
(legz), Osman, Kaer, Taps, Moses, JBCB.
© 2019, MONTANA-CANS
All rights reserved.
Reprinting, even in part, only with the approval of the
publisher. No liability can be accepted for unsolicited
photos, slides, films or manuscripts received.
/
MONTANA-CANS
Häusserstraße 36
69115 Heidelberg
Deutschland
Ph: +49 (0) 6221 36 333 0
info@montana-cans.com
WWW.MONTANA-CANS.COM
WWW.MONTANA-CANS.BLOG
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