Optikone has been blowing since 2002, his name derives from his dental technique, and his style is a unique blend of oldschool and wildstyle, with figures and cartoon-like thinking always playing an important role. After an eight-year hiatus, he returned to graffiti in 2013 and has since been a member of the Skicc Meeting Crew, for whom graffiti is a hobby, passion and community all at once.

How long have you been painting?

I picked up my first can in 2002. I was painting characters with a friend and it was probably my first serious attempt at this culture. Since I was drawing figures all the time, it came naturally.

Where did the stage name come from? 

My original profession was as a dental technician, but I never worked a minute in it, which I regret in hindsight. That's where the big idea came from, that if I didn't become a dental technician I could still be an optician in writer circles. 😀 Hence the name Optik. In many ways it became the most successful name that I am. To be able to tag and roll the letters well.

How did your style develop and how would you describe it?

The characters and figures are often out there next to my graffiti, but when they're not there, they're there. What I mean by that is that I always strive to bring something unique to my lettering, even perhaps figuratively to myself. As a caricaturist at work I think about my letters. Characters are a notch closer to me than letters so I try to characterise my letters. 

My style is about a mix of (new) oldschool and wildstyle maybe that's what I would call it. A friend of mine once said to me while standing in front of a freshly painted wall, "Ancient. 😀 We had a good laugh. The dragon, dinosaur, oldschool characters are predominantly one or the other is always there.

What inspires you to create?

A lot of things.Of course the graffiti I see here and there on the internet or on the street. From my surroundings and especially from my Sketch Meetings mates, we fill each other's imaginary inspiration chests when we sit down to draw together and wild and wild stuff is born hunched over paper. Good music is also an inspiration that gets in your ears.

Is there a graffiti group you are a member of?

Yes, my friends and I have formed a team called the Skicc (Sketch) Meeting Crew (SMC). Everyone in the team has different strengths. Initially on paper, we used to sketch at these meetings just for our own entertainment, as a kind of self-education circle where everyone sketches with different constraints. But in the meantime it has grown and the crew is now on the walls.

Illegal or legal painting?

Legal. It's been a long time since I've been in the fame business. Mostly tagging or rarely painted street. Now with my head I prefer to paint in a quiet environment alone or in company. 

Do you see graffiti as a hobby or a livelihood?

As a hobby, passion, recreation. I used to have a couple of commissions, but I don't get in front of things anymore. It will come when it has to come.

Has there ever been a part of your life that made you feel like putting down the kettle for good?

When I went from BP to Heves to study further. I had a lot on my plate anyway and I think I put on the handbrake at the right time. There I was completely isolated from the graffiti. As there was hardly a member in the small town, there was nothing to drive my inner urge to spray. I had an 8-9 year hiatus. I drew on paper max. Returning to Pest for graphic design school, I met a few graffiti faces with a similar mentality in 2013. I have been grateful to them ever since.

What would have happened if you didn't grab a can at the time? What would you do?

Since I've been drawing since I was a kid and it's always been my interest, if you can call it my life's passion, it's hard to get distracted. I would probably be a graphic designer and make a living doing what I do as a hobby. I have skills that, if I put my mind to it, I could have been anything I wanted to be, like a rock singer. 🙂 Because I also work with paint in my job I can fulfill myself, to some extent.

What do you think about graffiti?

For me, it's a good form of self-expression that can be learned indefinitely. 

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

The culture is alive and well, and lately it's getting better. I see very nice, sophisticated stuff on the streets, on the train or in legends that raise the bar. As graffiti is getting more and more popular in Hungary and the quality of paints, caps etc. is improving, so is the quality of the stuff. On the other hand, unfortunately, I also see a lack of respect, especially among beginners. I know people who are known in the "profession" who are very helpful, whether you are a beginner or a professional. Such gestures towards each other are needed to unite and create a supply of graffiti. When graffiti was flourishing in our small country, almost everyone was tagging, I got on the trolleybus for example and there was already a "colleague" in the back. I had to be told to leave room for me to tag. 😀 Today there are far fewer of us, so I'm always happy to help and support those who wink at graffiti. Maybe because when I started I didn't have much help. I learned almost everything on my own and I didn't even have internet. Poor me. 😀 

Your most memorable blow?

In 2003 I had an action with my friend Fmig, we went to paint in the underpass on Mexican Road. Things were going pretty smoothly for a while until a very tall guy came along with a shorter fellow at a faster pace. Then we ran up the stairs at breakneck speed and watched which way they were coming up. The echo of the big empty underpass as they shouted towards us. When the heads appeared already on the surface, suddenly Fmig shouts out! Hey it's Breko (Brc) and Glen (Öe)! Turns out they knew each other. They had a great letter style, it was an honour to meet them. In fact, they waited until we finished the graff and checked out the area. That was good.

I've painted in sub-zero temperatures in 3 socks from Norway and two coats. I looked like a michelin doll. It was cool...

What has this subculture given you over the years?

I had a lot of adventures and friends. Learning to respect others. I think I also learned the concept of outlaw honour.

What would you say to those who are just getting to know the genre?

Practice a lot on paper before you cover someone. I have a lot of respect for people who don't go straight for fame and don't want to be famous straight away. You have to go around the subject slowly and see what the priorities are. Choose a name for yourself that you don't already have. Try out styles, because only then will you really know what suits you. There are a few places that will tell you what you can and can't do when you buy paint. There's no shame in asking. The point is, draw, draw, draw. What works on paper will work on the wall later.

Who would you thank for making you stick to your art?

First of all, to my wife for putting up with my hobby. 😀 To Grino for all the help and encouragement, but many more could join this queue. To Shit Shot and Peru for encouraging me to get back into the graffiti scene after an 8 year hiatus, for all the good painting and opportunities to boil my style down. And of course to the Skicc meetinges (SMC). A big respeckt to Mr. Brake for rising from the ashes of the phoenix bird and picking up the kettle again! Also a big shout out to Fmig for being a good mate and encouragement during my teenage years. Big high fives to all!