Celebrating body modification culture since 1994.
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Today is Rachel‘s birthday. She does a lot of work that goes unsung and I couldn’t ask for a better boss or friend. Rachel, I hope you have a great birthday and that you actually take a day to relax for a change. Thank you for all that you do! Happy birthday to the HBIC!
Photo by Sophia Tsipidis
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We received this request for help in a research project and we are passing on the information to our readers. Please note that this is not something we at BME are conducting but rather a research project being conducted by a member of BME.
I’m a member of BME and currently doing research on body modifications. Our research has been featured in the news both nationally and internationally, including the BBC.
The purpose of the research is to collect as many images of body modifications as possible that we will use to research how common certain modifications are. While there is a lot of literature on why people acquire a body modification in different groups of society, hardly any articles are published on what type of body modifications and designs are common in different age groups, geographical areas, sexes, etc. When we know that, we can use that knowledge in disaster victim identification and the investigation of unknown victims e.g. to predict where the victim was from, what kind of work he was doing, age group etc. It will also help us to establish the prevalence of a specific tattoo design for example by looking how many times similar designs can be found in our database. This will assist in establishing stronger support for identification when other data is not available such as DNA. So far, our preliminary findings show an interesting relationship between employment and tattoo design as well as country of residence and tattoo design.
The research is completely voluntary and participants can withdraw at any time. Those who wish to participate also have to tick a consent box if they wish to take part in the research.
The research is approved by the University of Dundee’s ethics committee and we are therefore bound to strict data protection rules and research guidelines. I am the only person who can see the personal details of the participant submitting the body modification image. We may share the images with the other partners in our project to develop separate aids for use in disaster victim identification, but they will not get the personal data of any of the participants nor will they get an image unless the participant has given specific consent to share this. We will use the personal data only for my research and participants are not required to give their name or email. Therefore I do not know the person’s identity. It is also important to note that none of the images will be used for policing purposes simply because we don’t have permission to do so. The database will only be used to classify body modifications and establish their prevalence to assist in identifying victims of disasters or unidentified bodies.
If you wish to participate or find out more information, you can visit the website at bodymodresearch.com.
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What will you be watching on TV tonight? BME was sent the following promo for a new tattoo show:
New York, NY, August 18, 2011 – Dave Navarro has signed on to host Spike TV’s “Ink Master,” the first-ever tattoo competition series. The eight one-hour episode series, produced by Charlie Corwin’s Original Media with Charlie Corwin and Jay Peterson serving as executive producers, will premiere on Spike in January 2012.
“Dave Navarro is known worldwide for his musical talents, but he’s also well-known within in the tattoo community for his incredible body art,” says Sharon Levy, Spike TV’s executive vice president, original series and animation. “Dave’s ultimate respect for the art and culture of tattooing makes him perfect for this series.”
An estimated 40 million Americans have at least one tattoo somewhere on their body. So who is the country’s preeminent tattoo artist? “Ink Master” is the first-ever tattoo competition series featuring some of the nation’s top tattoo artists on a quest to determine who is the best at their craft and who will win a huge cash prize. Throughout the competition, the artists battle it out in various tattoo challenges that test the artists’ technical skills and on-the-spot creativity, where they must create and execute an original tattoo on command and be judged by a panel including Navarro, tattoo artists and experts Chris Nunez (“Miami Ink”) and Oliver Peck (Elm Street Tattoo).
The tension and stakes are high in “Ink Master” as the artists not only face the judges, but also the opinions of their ‘human canvases.’ The artists will have a wide variety of clients to deal with, ranging from tattoo virgins to connoisseurs with a full sleeve of body art to those who want to cover-up a prior tattoo misstep. The masterpieces created on these ‘human canvases’ will last a lifetime, but so will the mistakes. Satisfying the individual whose skin now bears the artists’ handiwork will be a major element in determining the victor.
The winner of “Ink Master” will win a $100,000 cash prize and a feature in Inked magazine, the preeminent magazine covering tattoo culture, art, music and fashion.
With his six-string skills best described as a merger between heavy metal, psychedelia, and modern rock, Navarro is one of alternative rock’s first true guitar heroes. Best known as the guitarist for Jane’s Addiction, the band recently released the new single “Irresistible Force” off their highly anticipated album The Great Escape Artist that debuts worldwide on September 27.
Nunez, 38, is of Cuban descent and grew up in Miami, FL. He entered into the realm of tattooing after beginning his career as a graffiti artist. At 21, Nunez packed his bags for a short trip to Brazil and ended up staying for five years. He then traveled through Europe for three years, which enabled him to work with his favorite tattoo artists. The experience expanded both his artistic sense and his knowledge of tattooing. He was a star and fan favorite on the popular tattoo-reality series, “Miami Ink.” Nunez is a partner in Ridgeline Empire, a strategic multiplatform content and media corporation, which operates the subsidiaries Ink Skins and Upset Gentlemen and an animation studio with two animated series in development, “Hoodbrats” and “Toothians.” He is also getting ready to open a new tattoo venture to be based in his hometown of Miami.
Peck is an artist whose whole life revolves around tattooing. He began tattooing when he was just 19 years old in his hometown of Dallas, TX and has perfected his precise and traditional tattooing style making him one of the best and well-known ‘old school’ American style artists. In 2008, Peck inked his way into the Guinness Book of World Records when he completed 415 tattoos of the number 13 in a consecutive 24-hour period. He is one of the most traveled tattoo artists on the circuit, tattooing all over Europe including England, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Sweden and Norway and in the Far East, including Japan and Thailand. Peck is co-owner of Elm Street Tattoo in Dallas, TX and the owner of True Tattoo located in Hollywood, CA.
“Ink Master” is produced by Original Media and Charlie Corwin is executive producer of the series. Original Media currently has thirteen television series on air including the hit shows “NY Ink,” “Miami Ink,” “LA Ink,” “The Rachel Zoe Project,” “Swamp People,” “Storm Chasers,” and “BBQ Pitmasters.” Headquartered in New York, Original Media is a subsidiary of Endemol USA. Sharon Levy is Spike TV’s executive vice president, original series and animation, Chris Rantamaki is vice president of original programming for Spike TV.
You can view a preview of the show, which airs tonight, here:
Official Ink Master Series Trailer
Get More: Official Ink Master Series Trailer
For those of you intending to check out the show, come back and let us know what you thought after it airs.
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You may have noticed it’s been a little quiet here. Rob is dealing with some medical issues and hasn’t been able to post anything to ModBlog for a few days. It seems we’re all experiencing medical issues lately or maybe we’re just getting old! Rob should be back at it by tomorrow.
Here’s a tattoo that caught my eye. It was inked by Cliff Ziegler of Zebra Tattooz in Streetsboro, Ohio.
I think it’s the way the raven is staring the viewer down that caught my eye. Maybe I should have titled this “Fuck you,” said the Raven.
(points for whoever guesses that quote first)
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Today is Rob’s birthday. I taunt Rob a lot because, well, because I can. He’s a pretty good sport about it and that’s a good thing because I really can’t seem to stop. He’s a pretty good sport about a lot of things and no matter what you may think of his posts here on ModBlog, he certainly tries hard and we appreciate that. Good for you Rob! Happy birthday and enjoy your day!
Here’s a photo I took of Rob on New Year’s Eve.
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Recently, I received the book Deviled Art: Sketches and Paintings by Travis Franklin for review. This isn’t a tattoo book like I have reviewed recently but rather contains artwork and sketches by tattoo artist Travis Franklin.
Click through to read the rest of the review.
You won’t find any photos of tattoos within this book, it is strictly a traditional art book but that doesn’t mean the appeal for body modification enthusiasts is non-existent. The artwork is focused mainly on darker images, skulls, skeletons and zombies and much of Travis’ work is the design product that would then be used to create a tattoo.
One thing that sets this book apart and makes it more than a simple sketchbook is the fact that the book includes notes and thoughts by the artist. The font for the text is meant to look like hand writing and the effect is one I really like as it feels like I have been allowed to glimpse deeper into the artist, his method and the things that motivate him.
While the book might have benefited from an editor to eliminate the few grammatical errors, it certainly is not lacking in interesting artwork. This is definitely not a book of flash art but rather a journey through a tattoo artist’s process both on and off the page.
While the paintings certainly speak to the artist’s talent, for me the sketches are even more enjoyable as they show the hesitation, the thought and the process of realizing a piece of art. It seems quite common for people to believe that a tattoo artist merely copies a design from a piece of flash onto someone’s skin. This book reminds us that a tattoo artist is just that, an artist.
As far as I can tell the only current way to purchase this book is directly from the artist through his website, travisfranklin.com. The book retails at $40 and is hardcover printed on high quality paper meaning this book will hold up to repeated viewing.
Travis Franklin has been tattooing professionally for just under 20 years and credits Tattoo Charlie for letting him in the industry at age 17. He works out of his shop, Oddity Tattoo Studio & Art Gallery in Sarasota, Florida.
Editors: Tammy Zeitler Zeitler, Travis Franklin
Illustrated by: Travis Franklin
Contributors: Brittany Helmer, Travis Franklin
Hardcover: 124 pages
Publisher: Poor Mel, 2011
ISBN 0615493262
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It was last October when I reviewed Marisa Kakoulas’ book, Black and Grey Tattoo: From Street Art to Fine Art. Well, Marisa has teamed up with Edition Reuss and has done it again. Unlike it’s predecessor, Color Tattoo Art is only one volume but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t do some serious damage if wielded correctly!
Read on!
This book is a massive 496 pages packed full of beautiful photographs and stunning work by a variety of artists. This is a true art book and one that begs to be displayed somewhere visible. The cover alone is fantastic. Within, the glossy pages give you image after image of clear beautiful tattoo work and art by such artists as Gunnar, Woodpecker, Ulrich Krammer, King Rat, Sean Herman, Tony Ciavarro, Holly Azzara and many many more!
It also includes interviers (and photos) by artists Joe Capobianco, Genko, Kristel Oreto, Ed Perdomo, Elecric Pick, Jesse Smith and Olivier.
Like its predecessor, this book is multilingual with text in English, German and French. Also like it’s predecessor, while this book does include some interviews and an introduction by Marissa along with a foreward on “Heroes of Pop Culture” by Eberhard J. Wormer, the main focus of this book lies in the art.
Electric Pick
The artwork in this book speaks for itself, page after colorful page. The work is as varied as the artists and covers a wide scope of subjects. This book isn’t just for tattoo artists and enthusiasts. As I mentioned previously, this is an art book. Anyone with an appreciation of art and particularly street and underground artwork, graffiti, comic art and the lowbrow art movement will appreciate this book. Of particular interest to me was a page featuring concept work by Woodpecker alongside a few photos of the finished products. The bright, bold work features some truly intricate designs that deserve more than a passing glance making this a book you will want to pick up time and time again.
Slawek
Curious, I asked Marissa how she chose the artists that appear in the book:
Selecting the artists is difficult. Of course, there are long-time standouts in the genre but I’ve also travelled to a number of international conventions to look through portfolios and meet artists whom I didn’t know before. I ask many for suggestions, particularly from editors of international tattoo magazines; for example, I had a lot of help from Aleksandra Skoczylas of Tattoo Fest Magazine in Poland, Libor Smelik of Tetovani in the Czech Republic, and Miho Kawasaki and Izumi Akiba of Tattoo Burst in Japan. And of course, I spend a lot of hours online looking through portfolios. Curating the content is the hardest part of the job. Of course, I cannot feature every wonderful artist who specializes in this genre (either they don’t have time to participate or have their own projects), but I’m thrilled with the 42 artists featured from around the world.
Certainly, she has reason to be thrilled. Featuring artists from around the globe gives readers a chance to check out the work coming out of other countries as well as what may be right in their backyard. The focus in the media and in magazines, at least in North American, tends to remain solely on American artists. Here we have a chance to become familiar with artists and their work that we may otherwise never have known.
Backpiece by Genko
Asked if she faced any challenges while putting this book together, Marissa said:
What was really a challenge and most interesting was figuring out the title! As we went along, talking to artists and collecting amazing stories and imagery, we felt that “New School” wasn’t the perfect fit for the really innovative, exciting “color bombs” featured. What is “new school” anyway? As I note in my introduction, around the late eighties and early nineties, the label “New School” was often used to describe art that did not fit into traditional tattoo categories—much to the chagrin of some tattooists, who never wanted to be labeled in the first place. And so we decided to give the book a highly literal title so there would be little question about what dynamic work it holds: “Color Tattoo Art: Cartoon. Comics. Pin-Up. Manga. New School.”
Sleeve by Steph D
The variety is apparent with each page turn. Busty pin-up girls. Superheroes. Nature. Religious themes. Smaller pieces to full back pieces. This book does not leave anything out, including featuring paintings and illustrations by the artists as well as beautiful portraits of the artists themselves, revealing the person behind the art. Portraits of the artists at work or snapshots at play such as that of Jime Litwalk eating popcicles with his son or Kowhey with his family provide us with more than a look at their work but a glimpse into the lives of these talented artists as well.
Jime Litwalk and son
So what was it Marisa was looking to accomplish with this book?
The goal of the books is to present tattooing in a serious and artful way, respectful of the work on its pages. I think of them like my law school textbooks that have been on my shelf for over 17 years: they are meant to be timeless — art and law evolve like everything else but these books capture a moment, a foundation that is built upon. So looking back upon them, say 10 years from now, we can see how the art has moved forward. More practically, the books are also meant to be reference tools to inspire artists and collectors.
I would say that she has done just that, presented a timeless look into the world of colour tattoos and packaged it in such a way that the book itself becomes a piece of art and one that tattoo collectors and enthusiasts as well as those with an appreciation of the many forms of art would be remiss not to include on their shelves.
Art by Gunnar
Looking to get a copy for yourself or maybe you would like to get one for a gift? Right now you can snag a copy from the author herself at a reduced price. These are limited so snatch one up quickly before she’s out! Marisa is offering copies for $158 with shipping in the United States and $180 with shipping to Canada. Email Marisa about getting your copy.
Too late? If you happen upon this after Marisa is out of copies, never fear!
In Europe, you can get a copy through http://www.hermansky-books.com/
In the US & Canada, through Amazon and other bookstores.
Marisa Kakoulas is a New York lawyer, writer, and self-described tattoo nerd. You can find her blogging over at Needles and Sins.
Author: Marisa Kakoulas
Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Editions Reuss (June 30, 2011)
Language: English, German, French
ISBN-10: 3934020933
ISBN-13: 978-3934020931
Shipping Weight: 7.5 pounds
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I just received the following press release and I’m passing it along to you fair readers. Should you be in New York City, you may want to check this out. Please feel free to write in with any photos and your impressions of the event if you do check it out.
Ina Saltz on Tattoos, Flash Art, Intellectual Property Rights, and Insights Into the Art of Tattoos
Join author and photographer INA SALTZ for a behind-the-scenes look into the ever-expanding world of typographic or intellectual tattoos (including a sneak peek at images Ina is collecting for BODY TYPE 3!). Amazing photographs of those who have chosen to represent their deepest feelings with the indelible permanence of ink embedded under their skin will be shown, and the powerful stories behind the tattoos will be told. Ina has been documenting typographic tattoos since 2003, when she first spotted a tattoo of the word happy in lowercase, 120-point Helvetica on a graphic designer while traveling on a cross-town bus in New York City.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.Pratt Institute Manhattan
144 W. 14th Street, Room 213
New York City
Between 6th and 7th AvenuesSponsored by Graphic Artists Guild NY Chapter.
$20 members, $30 non-members, $10 student/senior members, $15 non-member students and seniors. Free to Pratt students, faculty & staff.
For more information on Ina, visit: www.bodytypebook.com
To register, or for more information about this event, visit:
http://www.artyho.com/event/summer-of-fonts-ina-saltz-on-tattoos-flash-art-intellectual-property-rights-and-insights-into-the-art-of-tattoos/
or Graphic Artists Guild NY Chapter:
http://www.graphicartistsguild.org/theguild/guild-chapters/new-york-chapter/
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Happen to be in New York City right now? Then you may want to check this out! I was just sent the following press release and I’m sharing it with you:
On Wednesday May 18th, Kings Ave Tattoo NYC and Inked Magazine will be hosting seminal SoCal punk-rockers Face To Face and tattoo artist Corey Miller of L.A. Ink fame for an exclusive in-store event.
The band will be signing copies of their latest album Laugh Now, Laugh Later with MILLER who designed the album’s artwork. Meet the band and the artist, get your copy of the CD, vinyl and artwork signed and enter for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Face To Face show that night at the Best Buy Theater!
Kings Ave Tattoo NYC is located at 188 Bowery (at Spring Street) in New York City. This event starts at 5pm.
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And don’t forget to submit your photos to BME too!
