I have chosen to study the history of tattooing for my research paper. Last year, I (very stupidly) decided to do a stick n’ poke/prison tattoo on myself, and it turned out terrible. I decided to have it covered up professionally, and fell in love with how the cover-up turned out. Four months over, I got another tattoo. Because I am not yet 18 and had to do a lot of convincing and calling between the time I thought of the tattoo idea and sat down in the chair, I ended up doing a ton of research. As I researched, I found that tattoos are more than just a picture on your skin. Tattooing has stigmas and stereotypes, worshippers and haters, and there is a lot to learn about the culture and history behind the trend.
I find tattoos more interesting than other art forms because it is arguably the most permanent medium. If your arm gets bumped while painting, you can try again. If the ring you’re shaping turns out to be too big, you can try again. If you mess up a tattoo, you’re now bearing that mistake on your body for the rest of your life. No “trying again”!
As a whole, I believe there is a lot to learn and discover about tattoos and the practice’s history, but I have a few subtopics that are especially intriguing to me. I would like to research and learn more about why people often get “hooked” after one tattoo and want many more. I also want to research the development of the stigma around tattooed people and how tattoos have become so common and mainstream in our society. Last, I would like to learn more about the motivation to be a tattoo artist, and the complex relationship between and artist and their clients.
I absolutely LOVE this topic and I've always thought tattoos are one of the most beautiful forms of art, as they are permanent and usually have some deeper meaning. I like this is such a unique topic, and I hope you have tons of fun researching! I wish I had thought of this!
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great topic. I think this is a perfect topic for you with your preexisting knowledge and love of tattoos! I like how you mention that with other forms of art, you might be able to restart with with tattooing, you can't restart, just cover up. I like how you want to learn about the motivation to be a tattoo artist and the relationship between the artist and their clients. I would love to read your finished paper!
ReplyDeleteDanica, you have chosen a great topic! I agree in that tattoos are a very interesting art form. I think tattooing has such a unique history; that is very different than the other art forms such as painting and drawing. I particularly find tattoos interesting because they are so permanent, and they usually hold a special meaning to the individual. I like how you will look into how tattooing has stigmas attached to it, and how tattoos have became common in our society. Good luck with all your research, you have a great topic!
ReplyDelete