Inked
CBMUSED at 9:25 am Category: General, People WatchingTags: art imitates life, cbmused, inked, life imitates art, lower back tattoos, tattoos
When the weather heats up and humankind sheds layers of clothing, a new canvas is revealed. During the last few months, I have sighted an unusually high number of ink blots triggering thoughts of pain and permanency.
Inked and coloured, body art now covers unusually large surfaces and locations where once they adorned smaller and less noticeable areas. While they may be pleasing to some, I see these as indelible mistakes to be regretted at some point in life.
I was once asked to photograph a colleague’s lower back tattoo while she was with child in order to record the before and after effects of stretched skin. I obliged, after she almost stripped in our office and the flash went a couple of times, much to the whispers outside. She never returned to work for the ‘after’ shots nor did I get in touch for another photo shoot.
Recently I learned the purpose of the lower back Celtic or tribal tattoo. The man, who was kind enough to allow me five minutes in his brain, was quick to correct when I suggested that it was there to provide a visual stimulus or entertainment during the act, thinking that men can get easily bored. But when told me that it served a more functional purpose, not unlike that of a bank, where certain deposits are made, my response was a long drawn “ahh…”. Clearly, I failed the man-test.
As much as the sight of taut, bare and tanned skin is pleasing to the eye during the hot months, a human chalkboard covered with unusually large tattoos leaves me in search of untarnished skin where my wicked imagination can leave its own indelible marks.
Art may imitate life at present, but I cannot help but see these as ineffaceable mistakes to be regretted later when life ends up imitating art with faded ink and sagged designs.
* Photograph is a close up of a bottle of Parfums Jean-Paul Gaultier, Eau D’été
February 27th, 2008 at 9:36 am
I don’t have as strong a reaction to seeing tattoos as you do, but I have never been tempted to get one for myself. I feel like there are some men (and women too…but mostly this is specific to men) who just can’t pull off a tattoo. When I have asked people in my life to think about what type of tattoo I could get if I ever took the plunge the answers have ranged from cartoon characters that would be secret code for “beat me up,” to hysterical laughter.
But who knows - maybe when I have my midlife crises (9 years 10 months and counting) I will want a large pair of angel wings on my back.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
How come nobody gets a Rorschach Test Inkblot on a tattoo?
Wouldn’t that be cool?
If you were a psychologist, you could go around and psychoanalyze everyone on the beach.
Or you could just buy one of these ties for cheaper…http://www.zazzle.com/black_ink_blot_tie-151346141244406154
February 27th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I love the idea of a tattoo. It’s even more appealing to me when it is hidden. Some people may say, what’s the point of getting a tattoo if it’s hidden? But I like the idea of having a permanent mark that was chosen by me who will be seen only be specific people … chosen by me.
February 27th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
GSR: How about a halo tattooed on… never mind!
Seriously? I never figured you the type to consider one.
Zen: Have you seen some of the tribal/Celtics? They look like those. And thanks for the idea, next time I see one, I’d be psychoanalysing it, that’s if I can get my mind off their intended purpose.
EM: I’ve heard that mentioned to me before, the idea of a tattoo that only a certain someone can see. I once got a henna tattoo, and that alone shocked a few people!
February 27th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Oh you know what they say about tattoos. At first you get an image of a barbed wire, then 20 years down the road it’ll look like a picket fence.
I’d never consider tattoos at all. I love my unblemished skin too much to have something so permanent. I also love to have someone leave their own personal tattoos on that unblemished skin too.
Now that’s life arts you can’t really say no to.
February 27th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
They work best on ugly humans. It gives you an excuse for not looking at their faces.
February 27th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Kamigoroshi: I’ve seen enough picket fences to be put off. The ones that get me are the large tattoos that cover half of one side of the body, the Beckham-influence.
Absolutely!
Gorilla B: I like the way you think! From now on, I’ll be doing the comparison thing, the ugly to tattoo ratio and make mental notes.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:07 am
Like the kind in Red Dragon with the William Blake painting tattooed all over Francis Dolarhyde’s back? Even I’ve got to admit, that was delicious…in more ways than one.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Women, don’t get a tattoo.! That butterfly looks great on your breast when you’re twenty or thirty, but when you get to seventy, it stretches into a condor.
-Billy Elmer-
February 28th, 2008 at 2:02 am
I think that it is imperative that you finish the sentence that you started in your first line response to me.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Kamigoroshi: I haven’t seen the movie, and maybe I shouldn’t…
Sidney: And men too, especially ones that cover large areas that will eventually drop and sag. I juxtapose a young man’s tattoo on an old one’s body and it’s no pretty canvas.
GSR: Last time someone wrote to me with “it is imperative that…” I toppled their request. And that was a useless boss who wanted to feel important. But since I know you to be a gentleman, let me ask you a question first before we play complete the sentence. Would you really like to know, or would you prefer it left to your imagination?
February 28th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Following the theme of useless bosses in your response: I have done some outside the box thinking and examined core competencies - both mine and yours - and what I am left with as my actionable item is that I am canceling the previously requested deliverable, and I will instead be resorting to the implementation of my imagination/creativity.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:42 am
GSR: A finely worded comment. Not only are you a gentleman, but you are a highly intelligent man. Leaving yourself in the hands of imagination and creativity will only reap you rewards, especially under Cléa’s plume.
February 28th, 2008 at 11:03 am
The tribal Celtics are everywhere–if they are the tattoo I am thinking of.
Those are probably pretty tasteful–as tattoos go.
Tattoos and ponytails–and for that matter a shaved head–is out for me because they test badly with juries.
Yes, they test badly even with people who HAVE tattoos, etc.
February 28th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Zen: That’s a fascinating point you make about juries. Goes to show deep down what some people associate tattoos with. Interesting revelation.
February 28th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Mmmm. Knowing someone for many years who is in the process of getting a large one lasered off at the moment, I agree with you. All the stuff in her body art seemed so important to her 10 years ago… now she just hates it.
BP has several small pieces of ink, and another freind is an artist involved in the trade. Whilst I can appreciate the talent and commitment, I just don’t feel the need to join the team. Never have.
February 28th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
GBoy: Strange, but I didn’t figure you one for tattoos either. A good friend of mine has a huge appreciation for them but would never get one himself. Like art, nice to admire but that’s where it stops.