To start off I just want to say this isn't going to be one of those "Tattooed people should be accepted in society, etc" articles (although I firmly believe they/we should, but it's to be expected when coming from someone with tattoos).
Today I picked up the latest issue of Skin Deep Magazine, as I am one to do (and so should you - go get it now!), and found (editor) Sion Smith's opening article rather thought provoking. Sion mentions he was watching TV, and (in the fictional show) a character states to another that "...everybody's got a tattoo these days!" This reminded Sion of a statistic he had heard, claiming that one in 12 people in the UK are tattooed. This is where we get lead to the point of this post...
The aforementioned statistic spurs Mr. Smith on to ask the reader whether it is right to count people who have simply walked into a tattoo studio and picked some little design they think may look cool off the wall. He argues that these people, when put against others who travel around the world and spend huge amounts on a tattoo, are simply doing it for fashion. This is a point that I agree with, but I feel the argument doesn't fit the situation.
The context the discussion has been brought up in is that of a survey asking whether someone has been tattooed. Under this line of questioning, there is no arguing that these people must be included - no matter what the design or the reasons behind it, they have been tattooed. What Sion has brought up, though, is an interesting thought, and somewhat of a pet peeve of mine: Who can really claim to be tattoo enthusiasts?
I've known a few people, and seen a lot of people, who have just wanted something tattooed as more of a fashion accessory. Obviously they wouldn't put it this way, but it's true. I also know that some of these people would be likely to say how much love they have for tattoos, yet not have any knowledge or care about it as an artform. What's really sad is that there's sure to be some people with a small flash tattoo and/or a bit of off-the-wall tribal, of whom will think of others with a lot of ink to be "freaks", and may even be abusive towards them. But I digress.
I suppose (as with most things) it's all subjective, but I would consider a real fan of tattoos to be able to see them as art, be interested in the process, put thought into what they're getting, and care about the quality of the work they are getting. I even know a couple of people that don't have any tattoos and have no desire to get any, but I would consider to be real fans of tattoos (or at least more so than the type of people previously mentioned) - this being because they can appreciate the work and show genuine interest in learning the tattooing process.
Obviously, with what I've said above, I'm not trying to take anything away from Sion Smith's article (I thoroughly enjoyed it and the rest of the issue. I'm sure you are as well, now that you've bought a copy. Right?). I'm also not trying to say I know who is and who is not a true fan of tattooing - it is all subjective. I just thought it interesting to ponder. I'm sure there are one or two people who would claim I'm not a real fan, and there is no way I am trying to claim to be the biggest - I know better than that.
Afternoon Sir - that was kind of the point, as it is with all editorials (I'm locked down to a word count for a good reason on that page). Poking things with a stick is important. It's good to have discussions out in the open about these things. I too thought it was interesting to ponder the point, but really, that's all you can do because it depends who happens to be in the group you're discussing it with as to what answers you get...
ReplyDeleteNice post though - thanks for reading instead of just looking at the pictures!