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06/05/2007
Tattoo News Review

Here's a look at recent tattoo headlines, a dose of gossip and general attempts at sardonic wit:

First, 33-year-old German photographer Britta Oelschlaeger (shown here) really likes her hometown of Hannover and maps. Read more about her backpiece here. [Thanks, Scott!]

The Yakima Herald has a great article and photos on female gang members and the way they mark their bodies as part of initiation rites.

Tattooist Jun Matsui gets one of his tattoo designs ripped off and talks about tattoo copyright -- a topic on which I'll stay silent on today as my gift to regular readers who can't take another post. [Thanks to TheCygnet!]

Today, Lisa Birnbach of the Huffington Post ponders whether we'll have to submit blueprints for our future tattoos to the government in light of legislation governing what we do with our bodies.

Along the same lines, tattooists in New Mexico applaud the new state health regulations governing tattoos and piercings.

In Norfolk, VA, the first legally recognized tattoo parlor opened up on Saturday since the city's tattoo-ban was overturned in September. The new Norfolk tattoo law isn't perfect, however. It doesn't allow tattoo artists to open ...

Evil in Ink. A Kiwi film company stole my personal tag line. But instead of using it to describe the sadistic lives of tattooed attorneys, they've used it to promote (yet another) tattoo horror flick called The Tattooist.

Indeed, the film's trailer is frightening but not in the way the thriller is intended. I was scared because it may just make it from New Zealand cinemas this summer to American shores, inspiring a scourge of bad tattoo movies staring people like Lindsey Lohan and other It girls afflicting our theaters and taking precious space away from the ultimate tour de force: Star Trek XI.

To best understand my trepidation, read the film synopsis:

"American tattoo artist Jake Sawyer (Jason Behr) explores and exploits ethnic designs from around the world. At a tattoo expo in Singapore, he glimpses the exotic world of traditional Samoan tatau in the work of the fiercely proud Alipati (Robbie Magasiva). Fatefully, Jake is attracted to Alipati's beautiful cousin, Sina (Mia Blake). When Jake impulsively steals an ancient Samoan tattooing tool, he unwittingly unleashes a powerful angry spirit. Suddenly, his art takes on a frightening new dimension, exposing everyone he touches, including the feisty Singaporean ...

Despite living with a Francophone, my French skills are merde, but I've been crackin the verb conjugation books in preparation for next week's Paris Tattoo Art Fest, held at the Park Floral April 27-29. While knowing the saucy chorus from Lady Marmalade got me a Belgian husband, I don't think it will help when I interview the fabulous local artists in attendance at this first annual event. In fact, I just may lose said husband.

My goal is to learn more about the avant garde tattoo style that is so popular and well executed in France but hasn't translated as well beyond it's borders: without a name, it falls under the general new school catch-all genre, but could very well be seen as tattooing's Art Brut, best exemplified in the work of Yann, Noon, Cy, Navette, and Lionel (whose work is pictured here), among others.

The work may seem simple to some but that's largely deceptive--the line thickness, the spacing, and overall readability is not easy to achieve when telling these type of body stories. There's definitely method behind the madness.

Beyond this type of work, the Paris Tattoo Art show will include ...

One of the first artist profiles I wrote for Needled was on Beverly "Vyvyn" Lazonga, the female doyen of the fine art tattoo movement, which began over thirty years ago.

Vyvyn or Madame Lazonga not only pioneered the painterly style of tattoo but also advocated a spiritual connection between body art and people seeking "the divine".

It's this spiritual connection that was the focus on an SF Gate article this week on the Seattle tattoo artist.

The article includes a short slideshow of Vyvyn's tattoo work and an interesting Q&A that's well worth the read. Here's an excerpt:

What does a tattoo do that the more standard rite of passage rituals don't or can't, do you think?

I think tattooing helps push a person over the edge and opens up their sensibilities. Because the person getting a tattoo is in pain and pain is going to just naturally do that. Pain changes how we think.

As Nietzsche said, "That which does not kill me makes me stronger"?

Right. Enduring pain gives you a new awareness, gives you a tool you can use in other life experiences. I can't speak for everyone's motives or the benefits they may get from being tattooed, but ...

When I think of contemporary fine artists who have greatly influenced the tattoo world, the first names that come to mind are H.R. Giger, Mark Ryden, and Alex Grey. Their art have inspired works on skin that often translate beautifully.

More and more these artists are collaborating with tattooers on projects and events -- one such event is Alex Grey's Visionary Primitive this Saturday, December 16th, from 10PM to 5AM at the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors Ethneocentric Salon in NYC.

The highlight is a live tattoo and art performance by renowned tattooists Guy Aitchison & Michelle Wortman, Jon Clue, Corey Kruger and James Kern.

There will also be a daytime tattoo fusion event from 2PM to 8PM.

Both the day and evening admissions are $20 each. I'll be at the evening show with Dan; can't pass up seeing all that talent in one place.


To check out more Alex Grey inspired tattoos, click here.


Tattoo by James Kern.

Today, Suicide Girls gave me the nod to go head-to-head with my hubby and ask him the hard questions ... the questions that would make other tattooers laugh and walk away from me. Everything from tattoo groupies, obnoxious clients, and whether or not I really am a tattoo muse. Here it is:

Belgium's Daniel DiMattia, owner of Calypso Tattoo, is known for creating massive works of art on skin in just black ink. He's also known for leaving his socks on the floor, belching in front of my mother, and being a fine dancer.

Living with the blackwork specialist is not just all free pretty tattoos. He's brutally honest and will tell me, yes, I do look fat in that dress. That honesty is put to the test today as I ask him questions for SG that many tattooers won't go near.

Marisa DiMattia: I’m turning the recorder on now and noting that we’re sitting on the couch naked, drinking fine wine to accompany the highly intellectual discourse on tribal tattooing that’s about to ensue.

Daniel DiMattia: Fine, even though we’re in sweatpants drinking Diet Coke. And speak normal English please or we’re going to do this in French, which I’d like ...

Pierre Chapelan, owner of Tattoo Mania, is a second-generation tattooer who has made a name for himself beyond the reputation of his father, Michel de Bordeaux. Leaving France, Pierre opened up shop in Montreal, which soon became a premier destination for serious body art collectors. Over the past few years, Tattoo Mania has consistently been voted as one of the best tattoo studios by the Montreal Mirror.

Pierre and his wife Val also host the highly successful Art Tattoo Show Montreal, a tattoo expo that also highlights the fine art work of the over 150 international artists that gather yearly to the historic Gare Windsor. The Fifth Art Tattoo Show will take place September 14, 15, & 16, 2007.

Pierre and I talked about what it's like growing up in the tattoo community and whether there'll be a third-generation tattooer in his family.

Being the son of well respected tattoo artist Michel de Bordeaux, and then becoming a renowned tattooer yourself raises a lot of interesting questions. Is it correct to say that you grew up in the tattoo world in France and this inspired you to become a tattooist?

Yes, you can say that I grew up in the tattoo ...