Guy Blum known as DIOZ create street art in Tel Aviv for more than a decade.
DIOZ’s characters are twisted and transmit madness and anesthetic. From the distortion and madness of his characters, beauty emerges and their aesthetic uniqueness is expressed.
DIOZ studied animation at Bezalel Academy.
What year did you start painting on the street – tell us about the first time?
"Around 2006. I was an animation student at the time and I had to free myself from too many hours in front of the screen. I would go for miles and scatter my characters on the street. creates a life for them outside the computer as well."
What the nickname DIOZ stands for?
"A friend invented the name 7 years ago. That's how my friends have been calling me ever since … so it was easy to use that name."
What is the difference between a studio creation and a street creation?
"Most of the time – the street has a limited time to start and finish. In the studio you can think more and try new things. Even though in the studio, I prefer to start and finish at the same beat."
Do you reach a wall with a pre-known sketch or draw / improvise according to what comes out at that moment?
"Most of the time it's an improvisation depending on the location. If it's a big wall, I'll probably come up with a general composition that I loved. The sketch and the final painting never come out the same."
How do you choose the location for the next creation?
"Sometimes there is a location that gets stuck in your head and you have to reach it and give it some love. Sometimes you just go for a walk and you go with what comes out."
When do you most like to create on the street and why?
"There are periods that I like to paint on Saturdays, during the day calmly, with a few beers on the side. There are periods of cycling at night and quick bombings of hard spots. It really depends on the period and its mood."
What is your working technique?
"In the street, mostly spray. From time to time I got some roller skates and there were some paste ups, but there is nothing like the can."
What are your sources of inspiration and which are the street artists that have influenced you the most?
"There are so many great artists out there, but I have always loved ancient tribal art: African masks, Mayan totems or Incas statues. There is something eternal in this art."
Tell us about an interesting event that happened to you while you were working on a street art piece?
"In general, this is divisible: fleeing police or getting beer beers from neighbors."
Link to the official DIOZ website





























