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3
Sep
2010
Watch Out!
Japan is a giant big ball of contradictions. That statement in itself might seem entirely vague and a little presumptuous, but speaking as someone who lived there for 3 years, I stand by my belief that though beautiful and magical in so many ways, the world that the Japanese inhabit has more than its fair share of brain boggling contradictions. By this point I’m sure that most of you out there know that tattoo in Japan is fantastic but also quite taboo. Yes, things are slowly but surely changing, but the general opinion toward tattoos and tattooed people is more than a little archaic. Ditto for marijuana. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to encourage anyone to smoke pot, but it seems that in Japan when something is taboo, there are often very extreme opinions of that specific thing. A Japanese friend once confessed to me that she believed that marijuana and heroin were one and the same thing. It may sound bizarre, but it’s not an uncommon belief in Japan at all. This extremity of opinion is also a part of the reality that affects those who are tattooed, as well as tattoo artists themselves. The most common belief in Japan of tattoos is that they are a direct link to organized crime, or the Japanese mafia, known as the Yakuza. This misunderstanding of the unknown sometimes gets a little crazy in Japan. An example of such craziness is a new idea by the Kobe municipal office in Kobe, Japan. This summer during a music event at a beach in Kobe’s Suma Ward, several college students were arrested for alleged marijuana possession. Taking this as their cue to “make a safer environment for the citizens”, the municipal office is now coming up with a law that will ban tattooed people from the beach. ‘‘It is our duty to make a safer environment for the citizens,’’ said a city official as senior officials of the city and Hyogo prefectural police are set to form a special team to work out details such as ways to restrict entrance to the beach. Suma beach saw the lowest number of visitors in 25 years this summer, with about 620,000 people in 46 days. Some citizens have told the city office that they ‘‘hesitate to go near the beach’’ amid an increase in young people with tattoos, the officials said.’ I haven’t seen something this stupid and ignorant for a long time. Banning people with tattoos from a beach because some kids were arrested for what may or may not be marijuana possession? Are you kidding me? First of all, this is Japan we’re talking about. These people who are complaining about hesitating to go near the beach because of people with tattoos? They’re living in a dream world. Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the entire world. It’s not like these fear-filled residents are dealing with ghetto beaches, as if Kobe’s Suma Ward was worse or even comparable to South Central LA or something. Come on. Second, I fail to remotely see where there is any link between people with tattoos, marijuana and some sort of level of crime that apparently has still not occurred, but the threat of which is alive and well in the minds of local residents. It consistently blows my mind how a country that is so many light years ahead of the rest of the world in technology and industry, to name a couple of examples, remains so depressingly ancient with regards to attitudes towards tattoos and the reality of the people who have them. Get a clue, Japan. Tags: Dislike , Japan , Japanese , japanese opinion of tattoo , kobe , marijuana in japan , News , south central la , Stories , suma beach , suma beach banning tattoos , suma ward kobe , tattoo blog , Yakuza Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? Who’s #1? When I Grow Up
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Watch Out!
2
Sep
2010
Banning Ink on the Beach
Just when you think that tattoos are gaining acceptance, a story depicting the opposite shows up in the news. Tattoos profiling and stereotyping is rearing it’s ugly head in Japan. After a recent musical event in Kobe, a city located in Japan, the local government is considering banning anyone with tattoos from enjoying their beach. This brainstorm is being debated after a few college students were arrested for marijuana possession after a musical concert was held. It’s not defined in their article whether these particular students had tattoos but this local body of government is intent on cutting back on the number of young people enjoying the beach. Some local citizens are avoiding the beach because of all the young people hanging out. (Isn’t the beach made for young people to enjoy?)….. The anticipated ban may not sit well with some who feel it violates their freedom of expression but considering that Japan already has a ban on tattoos in commercial facilities such as saunas, my guess is you won’t see anyone with ink sitting on this beach next summer….Hard to believe in civilized country that your rights are so restricted. Makes you appreciate your freedoms. Related posts: Pioneer for the Tattoo Cause White Ink Ink-N-Iron
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Banning Ink on the Beach
31
Aug
2010
Hell City Phoenix
This past weekend was a big one in Phoenix, Arizona as the 2010 Hell City Tattoo Fest took place. If you’re not familiar with the Hell City Tattoo Fest, then you most likely don’t pay much attention to tattoo conventions/festivals, because Hell City is one of the biggest ones currently going. Music, tattoos, competitions, up and coming tattoo artists as well as current tattoo legends, vendors, seminars and judging by this photo , some dude in a red, white and blue spandex suit who can fold himself into strange yet intriguing positions. And that’s only a fraction of everything that goes on at the Hell City Tattoo Fest. It’s all pretty spectacular, alright. Unfortunately, I wasn’t lucky enough to be in attendance at either the Columbus, Ohio Hell City Tattoo Fest or this past weekend’s Phoenix Tattoo Fest, but digging around on the internet and finding pictures, video and news about the entire event is kind of like being there, right? Yeah…I know, it’s a very sad attempt on my part. I plan to get there one day, but this just wasn’t my year. At any rate, check out this article for a bit of a taste of the sort of tattoo competitions that went on during the Pheonix Hell City Fest. There were some outstanding tattoos on display as well as some not so outstanding tattoos from the looks of things, which of course is to be expected any time something as massive as the Hell City Tattoo Fest kicks off. Tags: columbus ohio , Conventions , durb morrison , hell city phoenix , Hell City tattoo festival , News , tattoo blog , Tattoo Pictures , Workforce Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? Who’s #1? When I Grow Up
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Hell City Phoenix
20
Aug
2010
The Heart of Tattoo
‘“We believe the ink becomes the beginning of time. Before there was any light, there was darkness. The black ink can represent our own past and all the knowledge that past contains in a symbol. “By displaying this on our body, we give life to our ancestors and the knowledge they have, so it becomes our guidelines in life, helping us to navigate towards our goals. “It then becomes a living thing, it is very spiritual.”’ - Te Rangitu Netana The tattoo work of New Zealand tattooist Te Rangitu Netana is not about flash, nor does it use the methods that most of us think about whenever we think about tattoos. Netana began his education as a tattooist when he was very young, from his father. However, it wasn’t simply learning how to tattoo that came with this education, it was the culture of the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand that was indelibly linked to the art form that was just as essential – if not more so – than the tattooing itself. At the age of 17, Netana performed his first tattoo and went on to become the official tattoo artist for three of his local tribes in northern New Zealand. From this point he went on to win awards and to tattoo celebrities like British musician Robbie Williams. His tools vary and he does use a tattoo machine, but he also uses everything from traditional hand tools of the Maori people to albatross bones. That in itself is pretty original and fascinating to me. Perhaps what I like the best about Te Rangitu Netana and the Maori approach to tattoo is that it completely removes itself from the concept of tattoo as a fashion statement. Netana’s tattoos are pure representations of the person who wears them and that to me is something that I feel is at the heart of the tattoo art form, be it Maori or not. “It is all about that person’s past and their future, and what they need to feel empowered.” – Te Rangitu Netana Tags: Inspired , maori tattoo , new zealand tattoo artist , Robbie Williams , Tattoo Artists , tattoo blog , Te Rangitu Netana , traditional new zealand tattoo , Workforce Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? When I Grow Up VIOLENCE!
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The Heart of Tattoo
2
Aug
2010
Rites of Passage
Hey, not to generalize, but tattoo artists can certainly behave as a responsible and progressive lot. Sure there’s crummy tattoo artists out there who aren’t really doing anything for anyone other than a few crummy flash tattoos now and then, but hey, that’s a very minor percentage of the artists out there. In truth, tattoo artists are continuously working to push the boundaries in everything from their art to the methods in which their art is portrayed and displayed. Enter the Rites of Passage Tattoo and Arts Convention , taking place this 2011 from the 28th to the 30th of January. What truly separates ROP from other tattoo conventions is the method and intent of the entire gathering. Rites of Passage isn’t just about seeing phenomenal tattooists under one roof and hanging out. I mean, it is about that but it’s also about so much more. “The Rites of Passage Festival aims to take you on a journey to lands forgotten and cultures undiscovered to re-explore the real reason people get tattooed in both the modern and ancient world. In doing so, it celebrates not only the creative energy that links us to ourselves and each other as a modern tribe – it enables us to explore how we can reconnect with our natural environment in the same respectful ways as our ancestors, and re-establish the balance our Earth needs for its survival while we go about living our modern lives.” In layman’s terms, this is a festival and not just a tattoo convention. It intends to create a dynamic between the natural environment, artists and the people who appreciate tattoo art. There will be music, public speakers, various types of performers as well as visual artists. The best part about the entire festival however, is that it’s doing its best to ensure that the entire event is 100% organic. By that they mean that the festival will showcase as many organic and eco-friendly products that they can. Organic produce, eco-friendly tattoo products, recycled goods, it’s all going to be a major part of what Rites of Passage is all about. Plus, in addition to all the great stuff that will be found at the festival, it’s nice to know that 100% of the profits from Rites of Passage will go toward buying agricultural land which will then be replanted with virgin rainforest. Not bad at all, right? Oh yeah, one last thing that I forgot to mention: the entire festival takes place in Melbourne, Australia, which means that come January you’ll most likely be itching to get out of the winter weather and hit the gorgeous summer weather that Australia is known for. Plus, Nick Baxter is going to be there – I mean…do you really need any more of a reason to go??? Tags: Conventions , eco-friendly tattoo products , Inspired , melbourne australia , News , Nick Baxter , organic products , Products , rites of passage tattoo convention , Tattoo Artists , tattoo blog , Workforce Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? When I Grow Up VIOLENCE!
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Rites of Passage
28
Jul
2010
Mick’s Birthday
One of my generation’s icons had a birthday a couple of days ago. Mick Jagger turned 67 years old on July 26 th . Although the lines are deeper, the skin is sagging more, he is still full of dynamic energy and talking about their farewell tour. Yup, the Rolling Stones will embark on large tour next year. Their last and final big tour. The Stones are facing their senior years and want this one last tour to celebrate almost 50 years of being together and to call it quits. It’ll be their last full scale tour. Ronnie Woods is 63, Keith Richards is 66 and Charlie Watts will turn 70 while the band is on tour. I find it depressing to see these guys at the end of their career. I saw them in concert multiple times for the Bridges to Babylon tour and I’ll never forget it. My kids were raised listening to the Stones and I took one of my daughters to see them during that time. I was even a member of their fan club! If you have an opportunity to see them on this last tour, do it. They are part of the history of rock and roll. Related posts: Ronnie in Rehab Rocker Tattoo Shine a Light
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Mick’s Birthday
26
Jul
2010
Meet Adrian Lee!
Many times on the Tattoo Blog I have spoken about the need to eliminate the barriers between tattoo artists and other more conventional artists within the art world. While I continue to stick to this belief, it wasn’t until I discovered the work of Adrian Lee that I began to think about things just a little bit differently. First off, I need to say this: Adrian Lee is a phenomenal tattoo artist. He also paints, but for the time being, let’s just stick to his tattoo work – which is just like…it’s like…oh man, I don’t even think that any explanation or definition of Lee’s tattoos can do the work justice. It just is what it is – and what it is knocks you directly on to your ass the second that you see it. Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, I was talking about tattoo artists and other, more conventional artists. Well, when Adrian Lee talks about understanding tattoo as its own medium first and foremost, I have to say that I am going to listen. “You really have to start over again, you have to learn to draw completely again, you have to really humble yourself, which is really hard to do; but if you don’t, you’ll never cross the mediums.” – Adrian Lee Lee really seems to understand the skills that are inherent to being a great tattoo artist. He’s humble enough to learn these skills and hone them despite growing up in a very artistic family. His mother is an artist and his father is a musician, which meant that Adrian had a head start in so many ways in terms of being exposed to originality and the ongoing desire to create. Yet rather than assume that tattooing is simply part of the greater sphere of artistic endeavour, Adrian Lee took the time to understand tattooing for what it truly is and to appreciate it in its own right. And that, I can now see is so vital to being a great tattoo artist, much more so than simply being accepted as an artist by the entire artistic community. In 1995 Adrian Lee opened NewSkool Tattoo Collective, along with his close friend Paco Excel, in San Jose California. NewSkool Tattoo Collective is home to some of the greatest tattoo artists in the world, in my opinion – including Adrian, of course. Have a look at Adrian’s work and believe me, you’ll be blown away. My only complaint about Adrian Lee’s work is that there isn’t more of it on the NewSkool website. Then again, I guess every great artists knows that you always leave ‘em wanting more. Tags: Adrian Lee , Inspired , meet adrian lee! , newskool tattoo collective , paco excel , Pictures , san jose , tattoo artist , Tattoo Artists , tattoo blog artist profile , Tattoo Pictures , Workforce Related posts on Tattoo Blog: What Does It Take? Time for Cartoon. Tattoo Couture Meet Teresa Johnson! Meet Robert Hernandez!
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Meet Adrian Lee!
11
Jul
2010
Tattoos and Tentacles
Some weeks it’s hard to find new and fresh topics to blog about – I think of it as Blogger’s block and then there are the weeks where you find a gem like this and you can’t wait to get that post written. This is one of those types. The talented young team working at Julian Murray Photography and Design from Las Vegas has some offbeat projects. ( Tattoos & Tentacles from Julian Murray on Vimeo .) They work in primarily the music, advertising, and fashion industries. One of the projects they’ve been working on this past year and plan to continue expanding upon is called the Tattoos and Tentacles Series. Check out the video – gives you an idea of the photo shoots. It features heavily tattooed people posing with a sea creature with tentacles. It looks like an octopus. A fairly small one but gives me the creeps to think about them those rubbery suction cups clinging to skin. Many of the photos are of beautiful. There are many with barely clad sexy women with the tentacle arms draped strategically to keep a person from seeing quite everything. You just wonder how they can stand it. And the models probably have to work with this creature for quite some time before getting the shot the photographer is looking for. Ughhh….The photos are cool and books and posters will be coming this year. The series will be part of future tattoo conventions and gallery showing. You may have an opportunity to see them in person. Related posts: Status Ink Magazine Realism in a Tattoo Painting Hair ‘N Tattoos
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Tattoos and Tentacles
2
Jul
2010
Air Ink
Crazy. As the tattoo world expands and becomes more intertwined amongst mainstream culture, so do the methods and styles in which people tattoo and are tattooed. Art is something that constantly evolves and while exactly what “pushing the boundaries” means in terms of tattoos can be entirely subjective, I am the sort of person who always likes to see new things being tried with any art form, even if they are well, a little bit silly. What do I consider a little bit silly? Well, how about jumping out of a plane and getting tattooed while falling 11,000 feet to earth? Silly? Yup. Pushing the boundaries? Sure, why not? Canadian musician Zeke Galt got the initials of his band Surefire Machine (SFM) tattooed on his arm while skydiving last year, becoming the first person ever to be tattooed while skydiving. I have only one question: why the hell did it take me almost a year to hear about this??? The stunt required a custom tattoo machine to be built and was tested on some fruit during a couple of trial jumps prior to the big day. Satisfied that the best possible tattoo machine had been built for Galt’s jump, he set out with another friend Al Christou who graciously did the tattooing. “I always thought tattooing was the most extreme and dedicated form of art so I thought, ‘Why not push it one step further?’” -Zeke Galt The end result looks pretty much exactly how you would expect a tattoo done 11,000 feet in the air to look like, and the entire thing took 15 seconds. That’s a pretty fast tattoo. So fast in fact, that it also earned Galt the title of receiving the fastest tattoo in the world. It’s different, I’ll give Galt that much, and no doubt that it was a lot of fun. What’s next? Tattooing underwater? Oh man, I sure hope so. Anyway, here’s an interview with Zeke as well as video footage of the actual jump. Enjoy. Tags: Inspired , News , Pictures , skydiving tattoo , Stories , surefire machine , tattoo blog , Video , world record , world’s fastest tattoo , zeke galt Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? When I Grow Up VIOLENCE!
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Air Ink
23
Jun
2010
More Than Just An Advertising Scheme?
The ability that tattoos have to be everything to everyone is quite simply enough, uncanny. It’s such a malleable art form and it works on so many levels that I honestly can’t think of anything quite like it. I know that I don’t need to sit here and list all the different forms we’ve seen tattoos take and all the different reasons that they’ve taken those forms. But I do feel it’s at least somewhat relevant to say that despite all these different levels on which tattoos function, they aren’t always welcome by everyone. By that I mean while some might feel it’s completely appropriate to take up advertising for various companies and corporations through tattoos on their bodies, others might call that whoring out an artform. Hey, I’m not saying that’s what I believe necessarily, I’m just sayin’, that’s all. Anyway, it’s funny that I would use the term “whoring” because this post is oddly enough, about Lady Gaga. I’m not really familiar with Lady Gaga other than one late night after I had missed a flight and I was stuck in a hotel room. I turned on the TV, and there she was, singing that utterly terrible Poker Face song. If you don’t know who Lady Gaga is, then I would say consider yourself lucky. But no matter what anyone says about Lady Gaga, she knows how to do one thing very well and that one thing is market herself . She thrives off controversy and outlandish behavior. So I guess it makes sense that with the run up to the release of her third album, Lady G is planning to have the name of the album tattooed on her body. Photos of the tattoo will be publicized and used to advertise for the album. Nothing new in way, of course. Many musicians have had their band’s name or the release date of their first album or even the name of the album itself tattooed on to their flesh. I guess the one way in which Lady Gaga differs from all the others is that she is actually using this strictly as a marketing scheme. What do you think? Is it taking things too far? Or is it completely irrelevant what anyone wants to tattoo on their body at any time, for any reason? I’ll leave you with this while you contemplate your answer… Tags: Ads , Celebrity , Lady Gaga , Lady Gaga new album , lady gaga poker face , Lady Gaga tattoo , News , tattoo blog , tattoos for advertising , Video Related posts on Tattoo Blog: Yikes. Wine, Cheese…and Tattoos Who’s Tattooed? When I Grow Up VIOLENCE!
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More Than Just An Advertising Scheme?