Are Tattoo's The New Collectible (Wearable) Art?

 

Age is not kindly to tattoo's

   When I was a kid I can remember that many of    my father's friends, most who had served in the military during World War II, had tattoo's though my father didn't. My prim and proper mother thought they were very low class and from this woman (who made me read Amy Vanderbilt's BOOK OF ETIQUETTE) I inherited my ideas about tattoo's. 

  Frankly few of my generation got tattoo's though I suppose those serving during the Viet Nam War changed that. I just thought they were low class and few, if any of my classmates in college, had them.

   When we moved to our home in the San Gabriel Valley in California there were still several homeowners that had served during WWII. Mr. Bullock, two houses down, was memorable as he usually worked in his front yard shirtless and my 4-year old son was fascinated by the huge eagle that spread across his chest and stomach. I'm sure, in its time it was magnificent but well into his 80's, the eagle had landed. You have to wonder how many of our children will discover this simple fact as they age? That droopy eagle's wings sagged a lot.

  Captain Cooks first visit to New Zealand exposed

  Europeans to the Maori who tattooed every part of

  their bodies ... not so unlike what we see today. 

  However, as the 80's faded into the 90's I began to see more and more men, first, then women who had a small tattoo here and there. I never worried about my son who fainted at the sight of a needle but was told my daughter had one that I couldn't see. One nephew in particular had bolder and evidentially colorful tattoo's on one arm, then two and finally other parts of his body. And they are not cheap either.

  I began thinking about tattoo's as art after seeing a new millennial resident walking around the complex today and it suddenly hit me, rather than buying art is this generation turning itself into art? Think about it. In an era with so much being the same is this the ultimate act to distinguish ourselves? Are tattoos ART or merely some kind of vanity? 

Popular Ancient Roman tattoos.

   We know that tattoo's have been used in just about every society in history. Ancient Egyptian mummies, Chinese, most of Polynesia, Greeks and Romans, Celts and on and on. Jews and Muslims forbid tattoo's but I believe even this generation has abandoned that stricture. A Star of David worn with a full sleeve arm (tattoo) proves that.

   Tattoo's have been used in a wide variety of situations ... to denote power, on slaves, as decoration, you name it. Cattle today wear a brand  to prove ownership. In our history brands were not just placed, sadly, on cattle.

   When you look at the cost of even the simplest tattoo (above) you begin to realize that this is not just a simple case of branding ourselves. It begins to enter the realm of buying art. These people are

When young performers wear them, why not the fans?

buying art but instead of hanging it on their walls walk around wearing it for all to see. While once it was something you hid except in intimate moments, men and woman began to wear fewer clothes to show to the world their new "art." While it may have had its start in the military in our era, it has had a long and honorable past that many cultures have cherished. In aways, Europe and now America has rediscovered a type of art that most collectors and curators might eschew but has graced us for millennia. The men and women of today like it and while it is a form of disposable art, it certainly is art.

Most military tattoo's are symbols
of patriotism ... love of country.

 

Japanese tattoo's had no problems with
western style inhibitions.

   

  For many military men and women today, other than say prison, what they could tattoo and show followed a strict military policy. Much like piercings, they were forbidden to show any form of tattoo above a collar or outside of a long sleeve shirt. Yet, with so many young and talented citizens getting and exposing more of their bodies to tattoos, and reluctant to pass up on the very best out there, standards have loosened. There are policies that regulate what can be written and seen. Exposure has been loosened but comments "prejudicial to good order and discipline" are prohibited. Racist comments may be your right to say, but not wear in the military, nor for that matter, anywhere. 

While the art may be beautiful that does not
necessarily mean the body will remain so.
Is that a paunch?

Celtic tattoo's

    It is in the larger areas of the body, a full half or entire body tattoo where these new tattoo "artists" really shine. Where once you would see low riders in Los Angeles cruise up and down the boulevard's with their lowered and flashily spray painted cars, it wasn't long before the art of tattoo's flourished on bodies and not just cars. It was further enhanced when more Asians immigrated bringing their centuries old traditions with them. The Chinese Tong's and Japanese Yakuza gang's all sported tattoo's under their white shirts and dark suits with just a hit of something creeping up their necks. It was at the local gym and its many new Asian clientele that I became aware of them and was awed by the detail and clarity of their body art. I think that was my first real realization that this was, however impermanent, art!

   It's hard to know what is and what is not art. But take a quick look on Google - images - tattoos. You will bring up a vast number of photos showing simple, silly and at times stunning body art.

   You have to ask, is that not beautiful? Is the person who created this not an artist? Just like some of the graffiti that graces walls, sidewalks and building around the world, mankind has an urge to create something. It might be beautiful or ugly, bring up things we would rather forget, signs of protest and scenes of great beauty. 

I'm sure the Disney Company never authorized this!

  The Warhol show I recently saw, once again, made me realize that art is all around us. Often we don't notice it yet who can deny not knowing the apple bite of Apple? The four rectangles of Microsoft Windows? The blue round oval of the Ford Motor Company? A Campbell's soup can? Like tattoo's these are brands, a kind of branding not unlike those used in ancient Greek or Roman symbols. Symbols confer power, and to mankind they have always held great magic and power.    However, some tattoo's may include symbols their owners may not have envisioned. Somehow I can't imagine the CEO at Disney sporting a Snow White scene on his back.

   Is there a limit? I don't know. It seems that many that start can't stop. One sleeve (arm) becomes two, one chest symbol then covers the whole torso. So, are these considered patrons of the arts ... only art not purchased at a gallery but the local tattoo parlor, also from the original artist? I am sure there are tattoo artists who are famous and can demand ever increasing prices. Is this not any different from what a photographer or artist putting paint on a canvas does? I think that while many might never want any and dislike evidence of this on a body, it is here to stay and has been part of every culture from the beginning of time. Like all fads, it too will run it course, for awhile, and be reborn again.

    The family that tattoos together, stays together? They can

    at least share the pain. And there will never be a problem 

    identifying the body!!!

   

Thank you for reading my blog. I invite you to take the time to read earlier blogs where my emphasis is to explore the ways art and design affects our daily lives ... and always has. I share with you what inspires me with the hope that it will inspire you as well. Comments are always welcomed! 

Be sure to check my ETSY store ... KrugsStudio.etsy.com. I am adding many new and exciting, collectible birdhouses and craft items. Many of the items talked about here will be for sale there!