Here’s one art form I don’t like: tattooing – because I don’t understand it. What’s that all about? I’d rather go to see Damien Hirst’s Thousand Years than have a young girl’s shoulder with its badly pricked out butterfly foisted in front of me in a queue at the post office. Did she have this done on a whim, after a night of tequila slammers? Why else would she deface her unblemished skin with irreversible graffiti? I understand that ‘corrective’ surgery is available at a cost but it’s apparently painful and leaves scarring. According to the British Association of Dermatologists, one third of people with tattoos live to regret them.
It isn’t even a fashion thing. Fashion, by its definition is ‘something that is popular at a particular time;’ it’s transient: it doesn’t last. Tattoos, whether you get tired of them or not, do. Where has this current trend sprung from?
Celebrities. Let’s blame them. Many high profile people – especially footballers – flaunt their heavily tattooed torsos, none more flagrantly, I’m sorry to say, than David Beckham. I say sorry because, even though, in 1998 he contributed to England’s early exit from the World Cup and I, along with most of the country at the time, held him culpable for the whole team’s short comings, am very fond of dear David. In spite of his ‘body adornment’ he is a beautiful sight to behold; he has an endearing grin, appears charmingly honest and by all accounts is a model parent. His celebrity marriage is standing the test of time and I’m prepared to accept there is a side to his wife that the public don’t see.
He earns millions through sponsorship deals – currently the face of Sky Sports TV; previously – to highlight a couple – the face of Breitling watches (fair enough) and Armani underpants. (Odd, being the face of underpants). Amongst his charitable work he is a Goodwill Ambassador for Unicef and supporter of Help for Heroes. The boy’s done good, as they say; he’s become a national treasure, part of our sporting establishment culminating last year in a starring role at the Olympics ceremony.
Arise, Sir David. Or will he? Are tattoos preventing him from becoming a knight of the realm? (Or would that be Posh?). Do tattoos deter potential employers, I wonder. I know I’m being unnecessarily judgemental, but if I was in a position to recruit staff, I’d be put off by a display of exhibitionistic self harm. It seems that many folk start off by embellishing themselves with the name of a loved one. There’s an obvious flaw to that straight away, given the rising divorce statistics. Even the name of a child. Who’s to predict they won’t turn out to be an axe murderer? Enough of this – it’s turning into a rant.
Let’s look at another perfect David. Michelangelo’s. Would his looks be enhanced if someone were to doodle over him with an indelible pen? I don’t think so. The act of vandalism would cause outrage.
The Venus di Milo, now residing in the Louvre and discovered in Greece in 1820, was found in several pieces and reassembled. Her arms were never re-attached as they didn’t appear of the same quality as the rest of the sculpture, so were discarded. I’m just wondering if her ancient creator, Alexandros of Antioch, had been experimenting with a bit of ancient sleeve graffiti. We’ll never get to the bottom of that one but I’d be genuinely interested to hear from the pro tattoo lobby.
You never know, you might convince me it’s art.
“I don’t understand it. What’s that all about? I’d rather go to see Damien Hirst’s Thousand Years than have a young girl’s shoulder with its badly pricked out butterfly”
Hear, hear!
It just concerns me that young people get sucked in to peer pressure without any forward thinking – what will that butterfly look like in years to come – a varicose cluster of a blurred insect. Ugh, lovely!
I don’t get it either. Many friends and a few relatives have covered parts of themselves in coloured ink. Not attractive to my eyes.
Maybe we could permanently glue on false noses – no I didn’t do that, its natural. While we on about tattooing – spiky, coloured hair seems strange to me too. This may fit your fashion definition, but not good fashion I think.
The other very bazaar practice is the ear extender craze. Putting in larger and larger rings to widen the hole from the piercing.
Will this current practice continue or will it finally go away. The body is so beautiful as provided. Can you imagine taking mountains and re-sculpting them? Oh wait, they did that Rushmore.
Spikey coloured hair I can deal with – you can shave it off or wash it out – I’ve always rather admired the wacky fashion designer Zandra Rhodes for her shocking pink locks. She is still wearing her hair the same, well into her seventies. Piercings I can deal with – they can heal up and disappear once the wearer decides to move on. Ear extenders – no,no, no – awful. What are they thinking?
Frankly, I don’t get it, either. HOWEVER, our beloved daughter and son-in-law DO get it and both have “body art.” Professionally done and actually very attractive, and even though both have several tattoos, they are not obvious to see (our son-in-law is a police officer and can’t have visible tattoos, but he has one celebrating each of their children’s births and one for Molly, his wife, on his shoulders and upper arm under the shirt.) Molly’s are smaller–also discreet–and each signifies something she or they have survived, like the tornado, etc.
Several of my friends have rose buds or Chinese symbols or heart tattoos, but it’s not for me. I still don’t “get it,” but they all do, so I just smile and nod…and resist the urge to sputter…”Are you nuts? Really? You do know this is permanent, right?”
I knew I could rely on you to provide a balanced response! It must be really difficult to be a parent of a tattoo enthusiast. I had an e mail from a friend who reads my blog but who is unable to log in and leave comments here and she said that every time her beloved son arrives home, he comes with another adornment, yet he is a high flyer at work but has to hide his art work in a long sleeved shirt. We are baffled.
For the record, I hate tattoos. I suppose they probably CAN be art if done well so, just as I don’t like or appreciate all art I do also acknowledge that it’s subjective. Live and let live.
An interesting side-note. It does appear as if the Greek statues were originally painted. I doubt, though, that old Venus had a tat 🙂
It’s the permanency I don’t understand – and the potential hazard of the actual process involving needles, but as you say, it’s up to the individual. We don’t have to look!
I rather like the idea of psychedelically painted Greek statues…jazz up the Acropolis no end.
I like the young men who put a gorgeous woman’s face on their arm. Because I know she will grow old right along with them.
Probably not what they had in mind.
Ha Ha, Holly, that’s hilarious! My son wondered what would happen to a tattoo if the wearer either lost or gained weight. The mind boggles, doesn’t it!
Each to their own, as long as people are adults and of sound mind at the time. I’m with you on your admiration of Becks but mainly for the fact that he remained the most dedicated of professionals despite the circus surrounding him and his family.
Yes he did – and I think he is destined for greater things. He has come a long way since that precocious goal he scored against Wimbledon in 1996 – managed without any tattoos!
I’m with you, Jenny, I just don’t get it either. It seems there are more younger people with tattoos than without, especially females. I’m all for self-expression and all of that, but do you really want to have that on your body when you’re 80 years old and everything is sagging. I’ve read where tattooing can become an addiction. I’ve seen people covered from their neck to their ankles and they’ve never been in prison. 🙂 Personally, I think Beckham is pretty sexy, until he takes his shirt off.
Jill, Never mind the tats, Beckham is sexy until he speaks. 😉
LOL! I don’t think I’ve ever heard him speak. 🙂
Ha Ha! He has definitely modulated his voice of late – I reckon he has been voice coached – just like Mrs Thatcher! But yes Jill, I agree, he is totally gorgeous, especially in a beautiful suit… covers up the tattoos completely!
Tattooing is not for me but it has been going on for a long time. Look at the Maori people for example. I think there some who are tattooed for art and self expression and a large group who just want to belong. For example there are some places you can go in the UK where you will feel out if place not having one. Not that that is a reason to do it, just something I’ve observed.
That’s true – it somehow seems more acceptable when it’s an ancient cultural thing.
Belong to what, is my question. Bikers always had the odd tattoo – depending on their ‘chapter’ but these delicate English roses – where do they think they fit in?
I don’t have any tats, but actually I kind of like them. And I do think they are part of today’s lifestyle, even though their owners grandchildren will make fun of them just as much as mine will laugh hysterically over what I looked like in the eighties. I was looking at a story [http://www.businessinsider.com/artist-dresses-louvre-statues-as-hipsters-2013-6?op=1] about photographer Leo Caillard, who teamed up with digital artist Alexis Persani to dress Louvre status in modern outfits. I think most of those could have totally rocked a few tats!
They are part of today’s lifestyle, you’re absolutely right – but then so were hot-pants with platform soles – at least I got to burn mine! Thanks for the link which I have been browsing just now – worth a post on it’s own – I loved them!
‘The face of Armani underpants’…hmmmm, the mind boggles…ok, I’ll stop there 😉
This is a hot subject Jenny (and I’m not just talking about David Beckham). I don’t ‘get’ tattoos either but both my sons have them and my younger son’s girlfriend too. They are tastefully done (what they will think of them in years to come remains to be seen) and they have also promised me that they will only have tattoos which can be covered by a shirt sleeve if necessary (I’m thinking of future employers) and definitely not on the neck or hands. So far, they are good boys! Although, I am quite disappointed as I did also ask that if they really must get tattoos that it should be a heart saying ‘I luv Mum’ but so far this has not happened…Great post Jenny!
I agree completely – totally don’t get it. Why would you cover yourself in drawings that you wouldn’t hang on your living room wall? And the older people get, the more the tattoos sag and blur – yuck.
“The face of Armani underpants” – had a good chuckle! 🙂
Hey, that’s our first chuckle since you got back – – glad you had a good time away – looking forward to some info and pictures (if it’s not too secret!)
I agree. Tattooing may look good now, but when the person ages, and all the colors blur together, it’s a different story!( aesthetically) I have a 17 yr old….. No tattoos until she’s self supporting!
Yes, that’s a tricky one. My friend’s daughter did just that – as soon as she was eighteen she had a butterfly needled onto her back. So sad – she’s a beautiful girl – she doesn’t need artificial adornment!