A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

The Only Difference is the Distance


Ahoy-hoy, ModBloggers! Hope your Saturday is treating you well. I’m just in and out at the moment, but I wanted to quickly share this gorgeous portrait of Dave‘s. It’s not of anyone in particular, but, as he explains:

I, like so many of our community members, have been totally fascinated with tribal cultures and their ideas of body art and beauty. In all simplicity this tattoo is my way of paying homage and showing people what body modification means to me and showing where my roots in this industry lay.

From a technical standpoint, I’m very curious to see how the huge amount of white holds up in the long term. I’ve got high hopes, though—I really love the look of this piece.

Enjoy your day, folks, and go on, gimme some fresh new eyes.

(Tattoo by Daniel Jones at Asylum Studios in Salem, Virginia.)

See more in Portrait Tattoos (Tattoos)

Comments

128 responses to “The Only Difference is the Distance”

  1. John Smith Avatar
    John Smith

    From the latest entry in Jon P’s blog:

    “We treat the Earth and each other like shit. We deserve to be totally fuckin’ destroyed. I dream that this so-called Swine Flu pandemic that the WHO has just declared wipes out a third of the human population. I hope beyond hope that it is selective and wipes out the ignorant and mediocre, those who’ll acheive nothing. Thin out the fuckin’ herd, PLEASE! But leave those of us behind who see something better, unhindered by utopian delusion. We’ll do a better job than those who fucked things up in the past.”

    Lessons in human empathy and cultural appropriation are strange bedfellows indeed for (adolescent) delusions of grandeur. I know Jon P that you’re quite the budding scholar, so could I be so bold as to direct your attention to the thought of Sir Isaiah Berlin, from whom you would do well to learn:

    “[Y]ou must realise that if you use violent methods the result will almost invariably be totally different from what you intend. Why? Because too much is unknown – not because you are wrong. The abuses are abuses, the tyranny is a tyranny, it should be stopped, it can be stopped; but if the measures are too violent – that’s to say, if you believe in the possibility of a total or even three-quarters transformation of society by organised means, if need be by violence – you will find that you’ve heaved up forces of whose existence you were probably not aware, which will in some way frustrate your designs and produce something maybe better than there was before, but not what you wanted.”

    Stay safe, and avoid excessive consumption of Fanon.

  2. John Smith Avatar
    John Smith

    From the latest entry in Jon P’s blog:

    “We treat the Earth and each other like shit. We deserve to be totally fuckin’ destroyed. I dream that this so-called Swine Flu pandemic that the WHO has just declared wipes out a third of the human population. I hope beyond hope that it is selective and wipes out the ignorant and mediocre, those who’ll acheive nothing. Thin out the fuckin’ herd, PLEASE! But leave those of us behind who see something better, unhindered by utopian delusion. We’ll do a better job than those who fucked things up in the past.”

    Lessons in human empathy and cultural appropriation are strange bedfellows indeed for (adolescent) delusions of grandeur. I know Jon P that you’re quite the budding scholar, so could I be so bold as to direct your attention to the thought of Sir Isaiah Berlin, from whom you would do well to learn:

    “[Y]ou must realise that if you use violent methods the result will almost invariably be totally different from what you intend. Why? Because too much is unknown – not because you are wrong. The abuses are abuses, the tyranny is a tyranny, it should be stopped, it can be stopped; but if the measures are too violent – that’s to say, if you believe in the possibility of a total or even three-quarters transformation of society by organised means, if need be by violence – you will find that you’ve heaved up forces of whose existence you were probably not aware, which will in some way frustrate your designs and produce something maybe better than there was before, but not what you wanted.”

    Stay safe, and avoid excessive consumption of Fanon.

  3. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    How is intelligent discourse “bitching”?

  4. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    How is intelligent discourse “bitching”?

  5. jason Avatar
    jason

    For more information on the logical fallacy known as “Poisoning the Well” follow this link.

    http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/poisoning-the-well.html

    The following is a quote from this web page.

    Poisoning the Well

    “This sort of “reasoning” involves trying to discredit what a person might later claim by presenting unfavorable information (be it true or false) about the person. This “argument” has the following form:”

    “Unfavorable information (be it true or false) about person A is presented.
    Therefore any claims person A makes will be false.”

    “This sort of “reasoning” is obviously fallacious. The person making such an attack is hoping that the unfavorable information will bias listeners against the person in question and hence that they will reject any claims he might make. However, merely presenting unfavorable information about a person (even if it is true) hardly counts as evidence against the claims he/she might make. This is especially clear when Poisoning the Well is looked at as a form of ad Homimem in which the attack is made prior to the person even making the claim or claims. The following example clearly shows that this sort of “reasoning” is quite poor.”

  6. jason Avatar
    jason

    For more information on the logical fallacy known as “Poisoning the Well” follow this link.

    http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/poisoning-the-well.html

    The following is a quote from this web page.

    Poisoning the Well

    “This sort of “reasoning” involves trying to discredit what a person might later claim by presenting unfavorable information (be it true or false) about the person. This “argument” has the following form:”

    “Unfavorable information (be it true or false) about person A is presented.
    Therefore any claims person A makes will be false.”

    “This sort of “reasoning” is obviously fallacious. The person making such an attack is hoping that the unfavorable information will bias listeners against the person in question and hence that they will reject any claims he might make. However, merely presenting unfavorable information about a person (even if it is true) hardly counts as evidence against the claims he/she might make. This is especially clear when Poisoning the Well is looked at as a form of ad Homimem in which the attack is made prior to the person even making the claim or claims. The following example clearly shows that this sort of “reasoning” is quite poor.”

  7. soma25 Avatar
    soma25

    Note to modbloggers:

    Jason’s approach to this discussion is the BEST I’ve ever seen on here. No personal attacks, emotional reactions, or any “my education/knowledge/experience trumps your education/knowledge/experience” attitude.

    Let’s all try to emulate that so we can have a positive learning experience, hmmmm? 🙂

    and as someone already mentioned…..

    appropriate that shit!! haha.

  8. soma25 Avatar
    soma25

    Note to modbloggers:

    Jason’s approach to this discussion is the BEST I’ve ever seen on here. No personal attacks, emotional reactions, or any “my education/knowledge/experience trumps your education/knowledge/experience” attitude.

    Let’s all try to emulate that so we can have a positive learning experience, hmmmm? 🙂

    and as someone already mentioned…..

    appropriate that shit!! haha.

  9. katy prost Avatar

    I don’t know how I feel about the tattoo, but it’s very very welly executed!

  10. katy prost Avatar

    I don’t know how I feel about the tattoo, but it’s very very welly executed!

  11. Tim Howell Avatar
    Tim Howell

    I feel like the fact that so many people are arguing over this single tattoo and what “culture” inspired it is ridiculous. Those that are trying to defend the whole “tribal” issue and how it shouldn’t be used as a “symbol” for something, good for you. we got your opinion. don’t keep dragging on the b.s. because you want to show off how witty and insightful you are. get over it. the tattoo looks good. he was inspired however he was inspired. there is no need to try and denounce how someone else portrays their passion. get over yourselves please.

  12. Tim Howell Avatar
    Tim Howell

    I feel like the fact that so many people are arguing over this single tattoo and what “culture” inspired it is ridiculous. Those that are trying to defend the whole “tribal” issue and how it shouldn’t be used as a “symbol” for something, good for you. we got your opinion. don’t keep dragging on the b.s. because you want to show off how witty and insightful you are. get over it. the tattoo looks good. he was inspired however he was inspired. there is no need to try and denounce how someone else portrays their passion. get over yourselves please.

  13. Tim Howell Avatar
    Tim Howell

    Dave, the tattoo looks amazing by the way. Very cool.

  14. Tim Howell Avatar
    Tim Howell

    Dave, the tattoo looks amazing by the way. Very cool.

  15. Brittney Avatar
    Brittney

    David: never let others ruin something so beautiful for you! It’s absolutely captivating to me… you just gotta learn to let assholes be assholes. How do you think I feel with having a “tramp stamp”?

    Your tattoo is gorgeous, and they’re whiny bitches who didn’t think of it first 🙂

  16. Brittney Avatar
    Brittney

    David: never let others ruin something so beautiful for you! It’s absolutely captivating to me… you just gotta learn to let assholes be assholes. How do you think I feel with having a “tramp stamp”?

    Your tattoo is gorgeous, and they’re whiny bitches who didn’t think of it first 🙂

  17. jason Avatar
    jason

    Deffinition of “witty” from Dictionary.com
    “Synonyms: 1, 2. droll, funny, original, sparkling, brilliant. See humorous.”

    There is nothing “witty” about calling attention to racism. There is nothing “whiny” about calling attention to racism.

    I am trying to be very calm and evenhanded in this discussion and I am trying to present my arguments very clearly. I have said that there is nothing inherently wrong with the tattoo and it is beautifully done. I just think that people need to carefully consider how they talk about other cultures and how they participate in racist forms of domination. That is all.

  18. jason Avatar
    jason

    Deffinition of “witty” from Dictionary.com
    “Synonyms: 1, 2. droll, funny, original, sparkling, brilliant. See humorous.”

    There is nothing “witty” about calling attention to racism. There is nothing “whiny” about calling attention to racism.

    I am trying to be very calm and evenhanded in this discussion and I am trying to present my arguments very clearly. I have said that there is nothing inherently wrong with the tattoo and it is beautifully done. I just think that people need to carefully consider how they talk about other cultures and how they participate in racist forms of domination. That is all.

  19. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    See, it’s a very ingrained attitude being exhibited here. The oppressors, or those who live from the fruits of oppression, will always belittle those who draw attention to, or seek to right the wrong of, their oppressive attitudes and behaviours. Call it a WASP culture or whatever you want, but the dominant White culture that controls how indigenous people live their lives will always see them as subservient and not quite equal. You can tell that by the way everyone dismisses the discussion surrounding the inherently racist/eurocentric nature of the term ‘tribal’.

    Poo poo it if you will, but it doesn’t make it an less true or important.

  20. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    See, it’s a very ingrained attitude being exhibited here. The oppressors, or those who live from the fruits of oppression, will always belittle those who draw attention to, or seek to right the wrong of, their oppressive attitudes and behaviours. Call it a WASP culture or whatever you want, but the dominant White culture that controls how indigenous people live their lives will always see them as subservient and not quite equal. You can tell that by the way everyone dismisses the discussion surrounding the inherently racist/eurocentric nature of the term ‘tribal’.

    Poo poo it if you will, but it doesn’t make it an less true or important.

  21. socialcoma Avatar
    socialcoma

    blah blah oppressors blah blah wasp blah blah racist blah blah eurocentric

    just let the man enjoy his tattoo

  22. socialcoma Avatar
    socialcoma

    blah blah oppressors blah blah wasp blah blah racist blah blah eurocentric

    just let the man enjoy his tattoo

  23. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    Oh that’s right, I forgot. BME’s just for people to oogle at tatts and never critically discuss anything. Fuck, we can;t even outrightly say a tattoo’s shit when it is without someone getting offended. Grow a spine ya pussies.

  24. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    Oh that’s right, I forgot. BME’s just for people to oogle at tatts and never critically discuss anything. Fuck, we can;t even outrightly say a tattoo’s shit when it is without someone getting offended. Grow a spine ya pussies.

  25. Max Avatar
    Max

    That’s so sick. I like how it looks like cray pa(spelling?)

  26. Max Avatar
    Max

    That’s so sick. I like how it looks like cray pa(spelling?)

  27. fox Avatar
    fox

    I just wonder how would (the white) people here react if someone had the face of a white person, say someone famous or maybe just your mother, tattooed on them and then claimed that “it’s not of anyone in particular”? White people are allowed to have identities and be individuals, while people of colour are often seen as representing something – in this case, the “roots” of body modification culture.

    My thanks for max, jon p and jason for making discussion.

  28. fox Avatar
    fox

    I just wonder how would (the white) people here react if someone had the face of a white person, say someone famous or maybe just your mother, tattooed on them and then claimed that “it’s not of anyone in particular”? White people are allowed to have identities and be individuals, while people of colour are often seen as representing something – in this case, the “roots” of body modification culture.

    My thanks for max, jon p and jason for making discussion.

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