Optik The artist was captivated by the world of street art at a relatively early age, when he was still in elementary school, and here he found the kind of occupation that he enjoys doing even without any particular interest or compulsion. 

What influenced you to start working with street art?

When I was in the seventh grade, I went to a school where my classmates came from bigger cities, who were already members, doodled, had clubs, and I quickly became a member of one of them on the condition that I came up with a name. I got it quickly, my own name with a couple of equal signs, a double cross, and a dollar sign, underlined and circled five times. This member was most like a double. However, the SH crew (street hooligans) was already present in the region, who played very strong members and grafts, luckily I went to the same school with them, so I had a basis for comparison.

When was your first street art experience?

Even in the beginning, I managed to blow up my previously mentioned "mathematics" tag under a turul bird, using prismacolor that matches the situation. I learned two rules there:

1. you must not blow on a monument, 

2. especially not my own name in the registry. 

We took it off, it didn't cause any other problems, I was 14.

Why did you choose this stage name?

After the aforementioned case, the name searches came, and finally, my name Optik at the time appeared next to a graffiti painted in a pub, which I kept. Of course, at first I was all...In the end I realized that the content of the book is more important than the title.

How did this art style of yours develop and how would you describe it?

Figurative surrealism based on experimental situations. I think that anyone who works in such a field constantly absorbs works that are strong for him, then "recooks" them with his own ingredients and that's it. ... If I have time, then I avoid geometry, and if I have to create quickly because the situation is "tricky", then simple repetitive shapes can be used.

Is there a message you want to convey through your works?

Maybe it's enough to give motivation to the next generation who are interested in street art. And that you don't have to look up in a city if you want to see a cloud.

How does a location selection process work for you? 

Most of the time, I just come across a surface that is unused, but still has such a compositional situation that something is almost missing from it. I come and go, collect pictures of these locations...then when the weather permits, I return. In most cases, the most important factor when choosing locations is to have a contrast, because of its inappropriateness, the image will be striking.

What techniques do you use? What do you like and dislike about them?

I use several types of techniques, but in addition to their cost-effectiveness, there is also the argument in favor of plain wall paints that they may not shine, so you can see the color that is painted from every angle. That's why I don't like the blowers so much, but the advantage is that it has a quick, easy transition and a wide color palette. Actually, it also depends on the surface and the situation, the can dries quickly, you can work with it on almost any surface, it fits in a small space, but it is loud and smelly. This is a disadvantage in the evening. ... And it doesn't matter in terms of price, because I don't have to spend on it due to my work, there is always leftover paint. .

How do you view street art, as a hobby or as a way of making a living?

Street art is present in my life as a hobby. I don't feel that the situation at home would be such that street art could be dealt with full-time. The customers tie our hands, which mostly moves the work in the direction of decoration, and from then on it lost the character of ART.

Have you had any conflicts with the authorities over the years?

We had a few "intimate" moments with the police, but we always managed to go our separate ways after the conversation. ... It's true, they were with my videotape project, to which they didn't really know how to react, they didn't understand, but they were good people at the same time.

What do you think of street art?

It is one of the freest forms of self-expression, but at the same time it is also perfect, as it does not leave a choice for the receiving party, he is forced to face and react to the work he sees. 

Who or what inspires you to do street art these days?

In the beginning, it was the mentioned SH, after that, when I went to school in Eger, I met the works of CFS, they did not let my eyes blink. The city was very active, you could learn a lot and there was a motivating audience. ... Today I feel that this "street" side of me has become more introverted, I don't compete, there is no self-respect, I don't want to be good at it, I just love it and that's it. I decorate, I also deal with visual arts and the street line is perhaps the only one where there is no pressure or expectation of any kind. 

How do you see the current situation of the subculture here in Hungary?

You can come across significantly fewer works these days, and this is especially noticeable in the big cities that lined up after Pest. I feel that now people have moved a little further from reality and nature, we are increasingly confined to the virtual space, which has a great impact on everything.

What has this subculture given you over the years?

I think quite a lot of people are looking for the kind of occupation in their life that they would be happy to pursue even without any particular interest or compulsion. If someone finds one, they don't want to know why they're doing what they're doing, they just let it happen. If I'm walking down the street and I'm in a good mood, I don't sit down and wonder why this is happening now, what to do with this good mood, I just enjoy it.

Is there a work that you look back on very fondly, that you think of as your favorite? 

I really like my cloudy works, because I know that people like them very much. A small positive message in a place where you don't expect it. I always look forward to the next one!

What would you say to those who are now "getting to know" this art form?

Don't worry about whether what you're doing is good or not, just do it.

Whom would you like to thank for supporting you in choosing this form of self-expression? 

To the state that compulsory military service was abolished.