src="http://www.woostercollective.com/images/CorplastBirdsSign3.jpg">

/>“This is some new stuff Mike Genovese and myself put up yesterday here in
Chicago. Part of our little “Amor & Esperanza” campaign…” - Chris
Silva

Chris Silva - The Vitals

Age: 31
Hometown:
Chicago
Where do you now live?: Chicago
/>How long have you been creating street art?: In varying
degrees since 1986. I think it took a while to be considered art by anybody
though.
What did you do last night?: Floated on the
afterglow of the evening’s rushes of adrenaline.
What is your
favorite thing to eat for dinner?: Indian food.
Who is
your favorite fictional character?: My girlfriend says it’s Ziggy, but
that’s because she knows I hate that motherfucker.so yeah, Ziggy, because he’s
powerful.
What do you currently have in your pockets?:
Nothing.
If you were given “more time,” what would you do
with it?: Take music lessons, and do what I’m already doing, but more
of it and better.
Who do you love?: Lauren, my family, my
friends, and even though it’s so ridiculously hard, humanity. That takes a
really good sense of humor though.

src="http://www.woostercollective.com/images/BlueManAmorFlower2.jpg">

/>Another collaboration with Mike Genovese in Chicago as part of the “Amor &
Esperanza” campaign

Chris Silva - The A’s to Our Q’s:

/>Wooster: How did you get started in creating art for the
street?

Chris: I started doing graffiti in 1986 with
Upski and my crew, “Union”. Took a break for a few years to soak myself
thoroughly in the world of skateboarding and then got back into it when I was 18
due to my observation of some local writers doing what was pretty innovative
stuff at the time. Took another break about 8 years ago cuz I started working on
music, and only doing art enough to get me by on my mural jobs. Did a little bit
once in a while, but I feel like I’m just getting started again. I’m putting a
renewed energy into it and having fun with it again.

Wooster:
What other street artists do you most admire and why?

/>Chris: Twist for an amazing combination of content, craft &
innovation, tightness and rawness, and for being someone that so obviously
opened up a lot of heads to the reality of what could be done with graffiti. href="http://www.banksy.co.uk">Banksy for his great political images, clever
placement and for appearing to really be down for what he says he is. Not too
many folks have the spine or ethics to resist the seductive money-tits of large
corporations. That gets a lot of respect from me. Cost & Revs for their wide use
of materials and crazy installations. Os Gemeos do beautiful work. Sonik3000 and
AlexOne as well. Space Invader, for a smart use of material. Espo & Reas for
keeping shit fun, and Espo especially for clever content. Saber(AWR) for the
insane scale. Kept  for not staying in any sort
of comfort zone and for being able to be clean and tight if he wants too but
being so purposefully ugly that it’s sometimes beautiful and/or funny. I like href="http://www.wkinteract.com">WK’s stuff a lot too.

/>Wooster: What’s your favorite city, neighborhood, or block,
to post and/or to see street art?

Chris: I guess
that would have to be Chicago. Since it’s so conservative it’s always refreshing
to see it here. By no means does that mean that this is the best place to come
to see street-art. San Francisco has been the most inspiring for me in the past
and it definitely seems way easier to do there.

Wooster:
What inspires you now?

Chris: I’m
constantly being inspired visually just because the language of visual
communication is evolving so quickly so there are a ton of talented artists out
there. I’m inspired by my friends. Mike Genovese for being an innovative visual-
adventurer, a character, and my partner in this “Amor & Esperanza” campaign
we’ve been on lately. Juan Chavez for his beautiful assemblage pieces made with
found objects, his fantastical
street installations and for always being on some next shit. My lover,
Lauren Feece, for inspiring me to open my palette back up, and for being there
when I go to sleep and wake up. I’m also particularly loving the paintings of href="http://www.newimageartgallery.com/yormickreuss.html">Chris Yormick
these days. People with warm hearts that put that energy into their work inspire
me.

Wooster: What are you currently working on?  Can
you give us a sneak peek?

Chris: Right now I’m
painting on this guitar case I found in the alley. I’m using it as the main
image for this album cover commission I got.

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