| History |
|
Tattooing has many facets, much like a diamond. You can’t see all of them just form one point of view. You have to be able to see it form all different angles. There is no real formula. People get tattooed for a myriad of reasons. It could be due to peer pressure, membership to a club, an organization, or perhaps due to cultural trends. However, for many people, it’s a form of connecting with their lost tribal ancestry. Lastly, it could possibly be a “cultural” wave that has caused a boom in the tattoo community. People, places, cultures and events have enticed many to begin the progression of the practice of ornamenting their skin with colored pigments. It would be virtually impossible to define who was responsible for what, how, when and where the styles actually emerged.
Contemporary tattooing has become so diverse, that it is overwhelming. There are many different designs and styles that are unique in their origination. The art of tattooing and ideas for designs have evolved so much in recent years, that there is really nothing etched in stone as to how a tattoo should appear. Also, with the awareness of the possibilities, anyone contemplating a tattoo might get a piece of work that is truly an original and reflects his or her own personality. A tattoo enthusiast can simply pick from a “flash” picture hanging from a wall, choose from a portfolio of original designs and with the internet, the possibilities are virtually endless. Through TattooLove, anyone can request a specific design and have artists from all over the world design and compete for their business with the best of the best in original art!
There is definitely a profound change in Western culture and this is only the beginning. The urge to assert one’s originality goes hand in hand with a desire to challenge social norms and values. This is allowing people to advocate different ways of experiencing, feeling and displaying one’s body. Many fans of body art, piercing and tattooing have been heard to say they no longer accept the Western ideal of physical “perfection” that has been forced down their throats by movies, television and magazines. It now seems that the body has become a canvas or artistic space, to mix and match physical and cultural elements in defining who or what you want to be… |