It is perhaps ironic that we just finished a class discussion on tattoos as a means to “mark” one’s identity both physically and metaphorically. This discussion took place in the broader discussion regarding fashion and identity. Tattooing is an art form. Tattooing is a fashion statement. Getting a tattoo is a significant act imbued with all sorts of meaning. It’s not cheap either. I brought up a point that I think was difficult at that time to digest: the idea that young people mark their bodies because they do not feel they are likely to leave a mark on this world. The tattoo is permanently yours, no one can take it away from you, and it is something you’ll likely die with (although we acknowledge the possibility of laser removal). When I said that young people feel they will not likely make a mark on this world, one student was able to clarify better than I what this might mean: she referred to a friend at a large university who was known only by his student number. Yes, we live with growing anonymity in this postmodern world where identity is shape shifting on what seems a constant basis: who I am in class is not who I am at my internship, etc. etc.
Tattooing is a way of temporarily fixing identity, of grounding it in something that is physical – you can look at it, although often times we hide tattoos from others, and it is meaningful; quite meaningful we learned as people get tattoos to mark moments in time (travel abroad), as a statement of belief, in memory of someone lost, among other reasons. Of course, once you have one tattoo, you have to get another one, because that is the only way one can create “difference” and in that individuality. The more anonymity grips us, the more we grope for difference. The New York Times (2/18/09) reports on the phenomenon of renting one’s body as a commercial billboard, in this case with a temporary henna tattoo advertising Air New Zealand. This strikes me as interesting, first because I’ve read about this in the past. Indeed a few years ago I read of a woman who offered to rent her bulging pregnant belly to an advertiser. And another young man offered to rent his forehead for a commercial message.
This commodification of the body seems to me to represent the final blow to the tattoo trend, LA Ink notwithstanding. Here I mean to reflect another point that came out of our discussion: that tattooing isn’t as popular with Gen Y as it was with members of Gen X. Trends are like that, eventually they all get flushed through the system. But that doesn’t mean that this current generation of teens and young adults has found an antidote for social instability, of which I think the recent tattoo trend is emblematic. Rather, there may be greater significance to renting out one’s body to an advertiser: it may mean that the commodified body is one that is totally devoid of personal meaning. It may be the ultimate statement of anonymity. To give one’s self up to a corporation renders the body meaningless (George Orwell, where are you when we need you!). When I think of this state of affairs it saddens me until I realize that culture is dynamic, and another trend will ultimately replace this one. What the next generation of youngsters will move on to is anybody’s guess. But how they will deal with a society that increasingly treats them as a number and not a person is another matter entirely.
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Tattoos are considered a method of self identity. Through class discussion, it seems that the tattoo craze was more popular to past generations currently in their late 20s and early 30’s to create self expression and individualism. In class last week, Professor Alperstein mentioned the term “enculturation” in which individuals seek to become and remain a “member” of popular society. By educating ourselves with the latest fashion trends, one can maintain his or her membership in society. Whether a tattoo was bought for the memory of a loved one, a family name, or simply for the mere satisfaction of having one, tattoos were a fashion icon. On the contrary, people desire to maintain a sense of individualism and uniqueness. Therefore, tattoos provide a sense of membership while simultaneously serving the purpose of preserving one’s distinguishable characteristics.
After all, nobody wants to be just another number as both my Professor and fellow classmate brought to the class’s attention. In today’s postmodern society students may feel as if he or she is just another number. Although Loyola College is a tight knit community with many personable people, to the outside world, another Speech Pathologist is another Speech Pathologist unless in some way, shape, or form, he or she has the ability to accomplish something so remarkable that a footprint is made in society. To some, tattoos may, metaphorically speaking, serve the purpose of leaving a mark on society. Whether a conscious decision or unconscious decision, tattoos allow one to self- express. However, in an ever-growing society, the level of difficulty in creating ones own recognized mark becomes a challenge. So I guess the question becomes, in a post- modern society where rapid transformation and competition reign, how does one continue to “temporarily fix a lost identity?” As the world continues to cultivate, how then does someone leave a mark?
Tattoos are considered a method of self identity. Through class discussion, it seems that the tattoo craze was more popular to past generations currently in their late 20s and early 30’s to create self expression and individualism. In class last week, Professor Alperstein mentioned the term “enculturation” in which individuals seek to become and remain a “member” of popular society. By educating ourselves with the latest fashion trends, one can maintain his or her membership in society. Whether a tattoo was bought for the memory of a loved one, a family name, or simply for the mere satisfaction of having one, tattoos were a fashion icon. On the contrary, people desire to maintain a sense of individualism and uniqueness. Therefore, tattoos provide a sense of membership while simultaneously serving the purpose of preserving one’s distinguishable characteristics.
After all, nobody wants to be just another number as both my Professor and fellow classmate brought to the class’s attention. In today’s postmodern society students may feel as if he or she is just another number. Although Loyola College is a tight knit community with many personable people, to the outside world, another Speech Pathologist is another Speech Pathologist unless in some way, shape, or form, he or she has the ability to accomplish something so remarkable that a footprint is made in society. To some, tattoos may, metaphorically speaking, serve the purpose of leaving a mark on society. Whether a conscious decision or unconscious decision, tattoos allow one to self- express. However, in an ever-growing society, the level of difficulty in creating ones own recognized mark becomes a challenge. So I guess the question becomes, in a post- modern society where rapid transformation and competition reign, how does one continue to “temporarily fix a lost identity?” As the world continues to cultivate, how then does someone leave a mark?
After class on Tuesday, I found myself thinking a lot about tattoos and their meanings. When we were having the class discussion about tattoos I remembered a recent experience I had that related directly to the ideas we were talking about in relation to tattoos and identity.
Over Christmas break I took my cousin’s children (who are four and one) to swimming lessons. I couldn’t help but notice that the majority of the dads at swimming lessons had tattoos on their arms and backs. Most of the parents were probably ten years older than me, so they fit into the Generation X category. At the time, it seemed a little funny to me because these men probably got their tattoos when they were my age and now they were out of shape and taking their small children to swimming lessons at the local high school with their “badass” tattoos.
In light of our discussion in class, I thought about the swimming lesson dads again. If for Generation X, tattoos were a way of separating oneself, a form of rebellion and making your very own mark on the world, it seems even more ironic to me that these dads ended up in a completely conventional, traditional situations. The were all married, evidenced by their wives cheering from the bleachers, and had children, and were involving the children in perhaps the most wholesome of childhood activities—swimming lessons.
Their tattoos seemed to look plain silly given the circumstances, but perhaps the tattoos had a greater meaning than just a mistake from their youth. I began to think that maybe these dads’ tattoos were even more an expression of identity than people who cover themselves in tattoos and lead “crazy” lifestyles. Perhaps, their tattoos allowed them to negotiate and come to terms with conforming to the traditional path in life of getting married and having children. Maybe because of their tattoos they felt they could “give in” to convention. I don’t know, and it’s hard to guess because I really think the mentality about tattoos for Gen X is completely different than for Gen Y, but nevertheless I thought about the swimming lesson dads’ tattoos and what the possible cultural significance could be at work.
My cousin, a female member of Gen X also has a tattoo, but it is very small and located on the middle of her back, so it is easy to hide. As she has two small children and has been pregnant in the recent past, I remember reading about the pregnant woman who rented her belly to advertisers and my cousin being completely appalled. For her, and I’m guessing for the dads at swim lessons, getting a tattoo meant something completely different than it does today, especially when tattoos take the form of advertisements.
I thought this was also funny because just like my cousin’s parents didn’t understand why she wanted to get a tattoo, my cousin doesn’t understand why another segment of the population would want to get a tattoo. It just goes to show that tattoos are inseparably linked to culture and even to a particular time in culture.
I really enjoyed discussing tattoos in class the other day because I feel that every person has an extremely different opinion about marking one's body. Growing up I was taught that tattoos were something 'bad seeds' did and there was always a negative connotation. My parents raised me and my three brothers in a religious home and we were taught that it was wrong to mark one's body, as stated in the Bible. However, as I grew up I began to question that statement from the Bible because it also says one should not have piercing or holes in the body, yet most parents allow their daughters to get their ears pierced, as mine did. I started thinking about how old the Bible is and how culture has obviously changed since the time it was written and people have modernized their lives. Part of the modernization has been tattoos. Many people get crosses or scripture tattooed on their body; does that mean that it is wrong?
I think culture has affected our idea of identity in many ways and tattoo popularity comes and goes, but I think it is and always will be important to some people. Yes, some people think others get tattoos in order to fit-in or because it is the latest fad, but I do think many people get tattoos for meaningful reasons. I know a few people who have tattoos for people who have passed away or for their time served in the army or navy. I think when someone close passes away, the person wants their friend or family member to know they left a mark on the world, so they get a tattoo that will stay with them forever. This tattoo will show how important the person was to them.
On the other hand, I do know many people my age who have gotten a tattoo just to get a tattoo. Apparently it is really addictive and it is difficult to stop getting tattoos. One of my friends has about 9 stars on her body for no specific reason and also the word 'trust' on her lower back. If you were to look at her, you would not believe she had that many tattoos. Though her personality is somewhat rebellious, it seems as if she began getting tattoos just because it was popular.
I can really only say how I feel about tattoos because no one knows what another person is truly thinking when they get tattoos. I have always wanted a small tattoo on my right wrist. I created my own tattoo that if I were to actually get would mean a lot to me. I would get it very small and have it be hide-able. I would not get the tattoo for the sake of showing it off, rather because I would want to remind myself of the meaning behind it. Since I regard my "tattoo" with respect and importance, it is difficult for me to understand tattooing for advertisement. I think tattoos were meant to be symbolic and to use it for advertising is very awkward. I would not want to see advertising this way because I wouldn't want it to negate the meaning of tattoos for other people.
I find the issue of tattoos fascinating, as well. I was really excited when I saw TattooU was a topic for assignments because I like to see the different opinions people have on marking the body. When I think of tattoos I think of artwork on the body. I have a real respect for tattoo artists because of the intricate work and concentration it takes to create these "marks." Most of the time, people come to these artists with ideas or printed out images of what they want on their body. The fact that what you create is going to be permanently marked on someone's body leaves little room for error. This is a high pressure job. I've seen tattoo artists in the process, and it is very intense concentration that can take multiple hours. I think its ashame that a negative image is often attached to these artists and parlors. I see these people as just as much of an artist as someone who paints on a canvas.
I also used to have a negative image of tattooing, and never thought I would get one myself. Over the years, I became less apprehensive towards the idea and more open to the possibility of one day getting one. I said I would never get one unless it had a personal meaning, and when my father passed it was the perfect reason. The small tattoo I got on my shoulder meaning "father-daughter" in Chinese is a symbol I am proud to always have on my body. I wanted something that I can't ever lose or break somehow and the tattoo was perfect. My mother was even open to the idea. I think tattoos are beautiful and interesting to get, but I feel that anyone that gets one should have a personal meaning attached. It will be with you forever.
On a side note, although it sounds crazy to "rent" your body out to tattooing, the henna tattoos discussed in the article really aren't that radical. Henna tattoos are very, very temporary and rarely last more than a month (sometimes less depending on sun/water/soap exposure). If someone wants to make a little money (excluding pregnant women- ink that could leak to the bloodstream is dangerous to the fetus!) I don't think it's that big of a deal.
While I would imagine that the majority of tattoos have personal significant meaning to their owners, I think that pop culture has put such a emphasis on tattoos as the "cool" thing to do. Take, for example, Lindsay Lohan. While I'm sure many of her tattoos have significant meaning, she, like so many other people, has a small star tattoo. In my opinion this is more of a fashion trend than an personally significant piece of body art. I feel that tattoos for personal reason were a lot more popular amongst generations older than us.
Now especially with tattoos becoming another form of advertising, the personal meaning behind tattoos becomes even more obscure. I personally could not imagine having some sort of advertisement permanently tattooed on my body. Frankly, it seems absolutely outrageous to me and so impersonal and, to be blunt, idiotic. Most people don't want to have a tattoo that looks like someone else's or some other piece of art. So why then would you want an image of a popular product forever etched into your skin?
I have always thought tattoos were interesting. I spent a semester in New Zealand where tattoos are an integral part of the Maori culture. I find these tattoos gorgeous--even though they sometimes take up a man's entire face. I think the reason I liked these tattoos was because they were so meaningful, with each line and design representing a different region and family. I think it's actually pretty ironic that Air New Zealand actually is using tattoos as a way to sell their product--especially knowing the rich Maori tattoo culture.
I think that the Air New Zealand tattoo reinforces the idea (quite clearly, if I might ad) tattoos are no longer personal or meaningful. Furthermore, if tattoos are supposed to be our way of leaving a mark on society, who wants to leave a mark that advertises a particular airline?
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