Kristoffer Ekman

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By this time we were tired of the debate about graffiti constantly being about the legal/illegal aspects, rather than focus on color and shape. We wanted to approach the subject from a new perspective.

We asked ourselves: What happens if we put graffiti in a completely new context? Grown up with all kinds of pop culture - Comics, graffiti, advertising - this felt like a natural step.

Wallpaper borders was the technique we came to think about. At the time, borders was a slightly forgotten concept in Swedish homes. Just like in graffiti they consist of elongated patterns, full of contrast. We were convinced that this would be an interesting mix of old and new crafts tradition.

We chose to work with three different graffiti artists, each from different schools of painting. Disey - the legend from the eighties, Track - founder of classic graffiti magazine UP, and Phily, notorious bomber and style developer.

To make the design come alive was - throughout the project - a nice balance between adapting patterns to a new environment while not wanting to risk being seen as sellouts, a mortal sin in the culture.

The project was highly appreciated, both within and outside the graf world. Z TV and several newspapers reported about the opening party at Boutique Sportif / Yo! Vintage.

The borders were sold in a limited edition, and our original question got answered: Graffiti in a new environment can prove just as successful any kind of design.

Graffiti is primarily color and shape, and it would be strange to say that good shape cannot move into a new context.

Kristoffer Ekman

• Photos 4,5 this page © Malcolm Jacobson. Extensive documentation available via the contact form.