HOST18’s Revamped and 90s pieces.

Although Revamp the 90s is a retrospective graffiti project it never gets lost in nostalgia. Instead, it explores the differences between graffiti then and now in order to move styles forward. In the project, graffiti artists revisit one of their own pieces from the previous decade and rework it on a wall with the ideas and skills they’ve developed in all the years since. Two of the artists involved, HOST18 DYM and RIME MSK aka Jersey Joe, who’s also the driving force behind the project, were kind of enough to talk with Razor Apple about the project, innovating styles, and early 90s metal.

Razor Apple: How did the Revamp the 90s project come about?

RIME MSK: The idea came from my working on The Exchange project. Through attempts at trying new ways of painting I thought it made sense to return to early ideas and build from there. Often writers will look at photos of past pieces and bitch about what should of been different. Revamp the 90’s is sort of a second chance, a throwback to a different frame of mind.

Razor Apple: Why is it so important to evolve your painting styles with projects like Revamp the 90s and the Exchange?

RIME MSK: It’s important to keep graffiti interesting and progressive. Some like it. Some don’t see the point. I like trying new things and breaking up my routine as much as possible.

HOST DYM: If you aren’t evolving then its pretty pointless to continue painting. I don’t think anyone wants to be stagnant. A project like Revamp the 90’s and the Exchange force you out of your comfort zone. The Revamp I did was particularly difficult because of how terrible I was at piecing when I first started. It was a challenge making my original piece look good, you have to really make sacrifices, like almost throwing a whole letter form from the original out the window in order to make the new piece work. It makes you think about your letters in a different way, after doing that piece my approach is a bit changed.

Razor Apple: What are your favorite techniques and effects from 90s graffiti?

RIME MSK: There was a lot of stuff painted in the 90’s… it’s hard to say…

HOST DYM: I really miss people doing very bold letters and outlines. A lot of pieces were bulky but strong. And in some weird way I miss liking Krylon, True Blue and Cherry Red…Clover Green too.

Rime’s 90s and Revamped pieces.

Razor Apple: Where do you get your inspiration from - in the 90s and today?

RIME MSK: Graffiti and philosophy

HOST DYM: I get inspired by a lot of artists that are doing shit outside of NYC. Its been pretty dead here on the style tip for awhile now, there’s a lot of heads from other places that are doing real amazing shit. But I mainly get hyped by looking at the last piece I’ve done that week and thinking that I need to take it up a notch every time, I cant wait to see what my next piece will look like, so that’s something that gets me off my ass to paint and to push myself.

Razor Apple: What’s your soundtrack while you’re reworking your 90s styles?

RIME MSK: No music, pondering insignificant shit in my head. For me spray painting is about being outside and enjoying the environment. I like to hear what’s going on around me.

HOST DYM: Early 90’s metal will get me hyped up. I’ll throw on some KingHorse or Death Angel and get amped.

Check out Revamp the 90s for the full original and revamped pieces by HOST18 and RIME, and others by TARE, TABOO, and POSE.