Mythologies
Institutions such as MTV create the mythology that tattoos are “cool” and stylish. The representations of tattoos has changed over the years, where tattoos were perceived as negative aspects in our culture are now becoming a trend, and they are more popular and accepted. The ink of tattoos is used as tool to show important values, beliefs and ideologies to an individual, such as love, religion, art and group affiliations. For example the following photo below is a tattoo (Obay Karim) represents important ideologies that I believe in. The coat of arms of Syria represents cultural pride, and the letters on the bottom are my family member’s initials.
Binaries:
Good Vs Bad
The binary good and bad can be seen in tattoos. Tattoos can be seen as good when good intentions is put into the work of the tattoos, such as the name of loved one, a religious symbol/ icon to show you believe in faith for example a cross. For the most part tattoos are usually seen and associated bad/darkness because of criminals, gangs and teenage rebellion. For example many gangs such as MS-13 and 18th Street all identify themselves with tattoos. Some of these tattoos are the name of the gang, and/or the area the individual came from.
Nature Vs Culture
The binary of Nature versus Culture is present within our tattoo culture, known as the “Nature” versus “Nurture” debate. Whereas nature represents our biology set up so our race and genetics versus nature what is learned as we grow up i.e. religion, culture, and technology. This showcases that tattoos is categorized under the non-reality or nurture category, as you are not born with a tattoo.
Reality Vs Illusion:
The Vampire lady’s name is Maria Jose Cristerna and she is from Mexico. She is becoming an icon for her physical transformation with her numerous tattoos and piercings. Regarding her transformation, she said the following in an interview: “My body transformation has been a part of taking my taste to the extreme. Life is short and sometimes we waste it on many things, so I've chosen beauty. And for me it's beautiful to be this way, so that's why I do it.”
Her statement confirms that she transformed herself into her vision and fantasy of what represents beauty for her. The binary opposition here is the difference between reality and illusion. The reality is that Maria Jose Cristerna was not born the way she looks now. It was her cultural values and beliefs that led her to transform herself into what she looks like now. Her appearance is made up of an illusion; it is not real because in reality the fact is that she was not born that way. The following link is a video and article of the Vampire Women.
Ideology:
Eternity and Brands
Tattoos has becomes embedded within our culture as a way to express one’s self. Reasons why individual get tattoos range from their personal values and beliefs to rebellions acts, all to set an identity and representation of that individual. The idea of why individuals attain tattoos in our culture can be the idea of what the tattoo representations. For instances the idea of eternity. Tattoos are “permanent” (they can be removed, however it is unlike) or ever-lasting. When individuals take tattoos to the extent of cosmetic tattooing such as eye browns, eye line, and lip line – demonstrates the yarn for ever-lasting beauty and “permanent” features. In addition when individuals get names of loved ones and in memory showcases they want this to be with them forever. This displays the endearing of loves ones and the profound meaning behind tattoos. The idea of eternity in our culture can be illustrated from the beginning of time with “Adam and Eve” and how they had eternal life. From there on man has tried and placed belief in ever-lasting life. Our culture has based eternity into fictional characters to live through these characters. For example vampires who live forever. Also super heroes tend to live forever as well.
The idea of tattoos is becoming a brand – a way of selling the representation of the meaning tattoos. Branding is an apart of market whereby we can conclude that tattoos are a part of the big world of marketing. There many instances in our culture were tattoo is branded and sold or the idea of tattoos is. The following link below of the tattoo rock parlour is located in Toronto and showcased and has the ambience and target market of tattoos. The tattoo rock parlour is edging, has creative décor, and rock music. This demonstrates how the word and meaning of tattoos can be translated into an experience. Another example is of the new line of eye-shadow make-up under the cosmetic line of Maybelline called Tattoo Tenacity. This displays the idea of the “permanent”, ever-lasting, uniqueness of tattoos. In addition to the marketing the experience of tattoos, Tattoo artist has become established within our culture for example Miami Ink a new reality show about talented tattoo artists.
™ Cosmetic make up: http://www.maybelline.ca/products/122/eyes/eye-shadow/eye-studio-color-tattoo-24hr-cream-gel-shadow/painted-purple/20?shadeId=635&view=shades&position=484
Human Commodification
Tattoos are seen as a way to express a person’s individuality and ideals. For example, if a person gets a cross, then the association is that the person may be religious or if a person gets a music notes tattoo, the association then is that it means they love music.
Branding serves human commodification. The increase in consumption of brand logo tattoos like Apple, Ikea, Mcdonald’s can be linked with the commodification of culture through the representation of brand loyalty. People who get a brand logo tattoo identify themselves with that brand’s philosophy and identity. Hence, brand tattoos serve as a way of objectifying people.
Examples of Human commodification:
If an individual gets a bar code tattoo, it can be argued that it does not portray the uniqueness of each person; but instead it just places everyone into the same group of objects because the permanent marking of a bar code objectifies the human beings by taking away their humanity and turning them into human commodities. On the other hand, the fact that each bar code is different could also imply the opposite - that each human being is unique.
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