Gantz5 – Not only, but also

Gantz5 – Not only, but also

By Arden de Raaij

We haven’t featured too much Asian graffiti yet, but I’m hoping that is changing as we’re getting more and more contacts in the far-east countries. Just recently we received an e-mail from the Gantz5 graffiti crew from Macau. Macua, located in South-East China was, the oldest European colony in China untill handed over in 1999. The region has a high degree of autonomy (much like Hong-Kong) and is known for its lavish casino’s, making it a sort of Las Vegas of the east.

Gantz5 graffiti / street exhibition - Macau, China
Gantz5 graffiti / street exhibition – Macau, China
Gantz5 graffiti / street exhibition - Macau, China
Gantz5 graffiti / street exhibition – Macau, China

The Gantz5 Crew consists out of P.IBG,K.MAN and MCZ. They decided to create an experimental street exhibition with the aim to explore the relationships between graffiti, exhibitions and sponsors. The event name / slogan is ‘Not only, but als0..’, something everyone can tie their own conclusions from but to me seems like it doesn’t have to be or/or. It can be and/and. The event challenged every thought and norm about the art-scene in Macau. We asked Pat from Gantz5 some questions about the crew and their hometown!

Gantz5 graffiti / street exhibition - Macau, China
Gantz5 graffiti / street exhibition – Macau, China

Can you tell us how this project came to existence?

This project is the achievement that came through by many arguments and settlements between our teammates. First, we decided our notion, looking for different resources individually, then discussed the frame and color of the picture. Finally everything was decided well then we looking for a suitable place which is the most difficult part because there is only one legal place to offer us to do a large creation.

Gantz5 graffiti / street exhibition - Macau, China
Gantz5 graffiti / street exhibition – Macau, China

Is there a big graffiti scene in Macau? And how is doing Graffiti in this part of china? Do you get much appreciation?

It is difficult to say either is or isn’t. Everyone have their unique character, even one’s style. I think the biggest difference is we both have our different graffiti idols or styles in China and Macau. We just like “dating with the wall”. When every awesome piece was boomed, it was almost on the same legal place and wall in Macau. It mades graffiti to be the significance of that place. You can’t imagine how thick the paint on the wall was.

Sure that we got many encouragements, but we don’t let us satisfied on it. We need to keep on our beat and don’t settle down easily. Although there were some bad comments sometime, no one was prefect, we can’t satisfy all of you, but at least ourselves.

Gantz5 graffiti / street exhibition - Macau, China
Gantz5 graffiti / street exhibition – Macau, China
Gantz5 graffiti / street exhibition - Macau, China
Gantz5 graffiti / street exhibition – Macau, China

Could you also tell us about how you got into graffiti yourself?

Drawing is a hobby or interest of many people. However there are many standard and regulation in our life, drawing on a paper can not satisfied us anymore, so we started our graffiti life.

Check more on the Gantz5 crew on their website. Want more Asian graffiti? Check the interview we did with the Taiwanese DEBE recently!