Transformation: The Art of Tattooing

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Transformation The Art of Tattooing

• Francis Callahan
• Amelie Hereford

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THESIS

• Throughout our project, our goal was to find
  parallels between aspects of the course and
  present day art forms in an attempt to gain
  insight into the transformation aspect of
  tattooing relating to body mutilation through
  healing.

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HYPOTHESIS

• In relation to our readings, we hypothesized
  tattoo artists and tattooed individuals to be
  similar to the ideas of transformation in
  creating a completely new being as well as
  entering into an ecstatic state of mind while
  tattooing and while being tattooed.
• We hypothesized descriptions particularly
  pertaining to feelings, not only physical, but
  mental or emotional as well.
• We inquired to understand the tattoo artists as
  practitioners expressing themselves through art
  as well as individuals expressing themselves
  through art by being tattooed.

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OVERVIEW

• Throughout history, the art of tattooing has
  evolved as a form of expression as well as a way
  for individuals to personalize themselves through
  a form of decoration. Through interviews and
  analysis, we hoped to fully understand the
  emotional, physical, and personal experiences
  gained from the magical art of tattooing.

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THE INTERVIEW

• After contacting a few tattoo parlors, we were
  able to interview a professional tattoo artist
  with over eight years of experience as a
  practitioner. After finalizing our questions and
  discussing interviewing techniques, on Monday
  November 24th, we conducted our interview with
  tattoo artist, Tim Forbus, inside the Acme
  tattooing parlor in Charlottesville.

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PICTURES
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QUOTES

• Number of tattoos on body
• I lost count a while ago I have layers of
  them.
• Progression
• There is a point when someone goes from
  having tattoos to just being tattooed.
• Spiritual connection
• It is getting in touch with your body.
• Positive benefit from being tattooed
• There is something cathartic about getting a
  tattoo.

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QUOTES CONTINUED

• It always hurts.
• It is all about the mindset going into it.
• Getting tattooed completely depletes whatever
  reservations youve got.

• It is something that helps takes your minds off
  the stress in your life.
• People just keep coming back and there is a
  sense of understanding amongst people who have
  tattoos.

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Analysis

• Skoptsy Pain vs. fear of pain
• Body mutilation
• Minstrels Tattoo artists as practitioners
• Healing
• Stolpniki Subjecting oneself to pain

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Conclusion

• Our hypothesis supports that the tattooing
  profession and the tattooing experience deliver
  an incentive for individuals to indulge in an
  experience that is considered an experience
  outside of the rational.
• Our hypothesis illustrates a concise relationship
  between the Western and non-Western perspectives
  of the act of healing and expression through the
  art form of tattooing.