Sunday 12 March 2017

OUGD503- Culture / Tattoo research

Nearly the oldest tattooes on record come Ötzi the Ice Man, a natural mummy (read, got caught in a glacier) dating back 5,200 years ago. This dude, discovered in 1991 in the Alps, now sits in the South Tyrol Museum of Archeology in Bolzano, Italy.

The body has over 60 tattoos consisting of dots and clusters of lines along lower spine, knee and ankle joints. Scientists have hypothesized that given the degeneration in these areas of the body that the origin could be therapeutic — a proto-acupuncture or marking for other treatments.



Women dominate the scene of Egyptian tattoo culture, with lady mummies from as far back as 2000 BC displaying evidence of the art. The lines, dots, and diamonds parade across their thighs and torsos, found on the famous mummy of Hathor’s Priestess Amunet. The designs are interpreted as protective of fertility and health- basically a trophy pin cushion.







Tattoos are an important part of the goth look – representing that special kind of subculture that developed simultaneously in Europe and the United States in the 1980s as a reaction against the colorful disco era. Contrary to what some people think, goths are not morbidly fascinated with death or the occult – but they do tend to be highly creative, artistic people with a strong intellectual bent.

Gothic tattoo designs reflect this tendency. Though many different designs could be considered goth, gothic tattoos form a category all their own. One thing is for sure: gothic fashion includes a lot of black: black clothes, black makeup, dyed black hair, ... A certain style of body modification complements this style: tattoos are one part, but other body art such as piercings are just as characteristic.

A great influence are the medieval and romantic times, featuring heavily in popular tattoo's such as crosses, rosary beads, angels, roses, dragons, demons and vampires.

Other "old school" tattoos are popular choices for bikers, like women, daggers, dragons and blazing tires. They're are usually placed on the shoulder because it's a good spot to show them off. Biker tattoos vary greatly with regard to how much skin they cover, but generally speaking they are not small. 

Many biker tattoos feature the Harley Davidson name or logo, sometimes on its own, and sometimes as part of an intricate design. Picture an eagle perched on top of a ‘Harley Davidson’ banner or epithet like ‘Ride Free’. Obviously, a Harley Davidson tattoo is going to demonstrate a passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles. It also represents nonconformity and love for freedom.






Its said on 'Free tattoo designs', an independent website giving tattoo advice and offering free designs wrote and said - 'There’s only one reason the United States Army relaxed its restriction on tattoos. They realised that they were turning highly qualified individuals away over their skin art. One caveat is that the military still reserves the right to determine what is in good taste, so it might be a good idea to run it by your commanding officer before actually having needle put to skin. There also remains a limit on how many tattoos can cover any area. There are no sleeves or Japanese suits for soldiers, at least for right now.' 

This is an interesting point to consider when questioning where the future of tattoo's is heading- is it being embraced in British Military culture?... 






The American USMC typeface is quite gothic in its script, with the C being suggesting of Celtic letterforms.. This seems to be a popular trend with US Military, yet not so much in the United Kingdom which can be found on record. It would be interesting to take photographs of service peoples tattoo's to see what typography they are choosing to have on their bodies.  I also wanted to see how they position on the bodies, as well as the accompanying decorative illustrations- if any?.

 







Interview with Lt Mick Lightfoot, Royal Navy. Currently working in recruitment but history of being a submariner and working closely with languages. 

I asked him "What are your views on tattoo's in the workplace?"



He said: We don’t allow visible tattoo’s, they need to be above the wrist and below the neckline, but I think Royal Marines can have tattoos on hands because they wear gloves for ceremonial duties.

No trend tattoo's, nothing racist or drug related (canabis leafs)- other than Medical tattoo (anti penicillin) . You can't have an kind of offensive tattoo in the navy.

If you're under 18 then no tattoo’s; If I see an under 18 or 19 with a tattoo, I'll just assume they are a law breaker and won’t hire them. This is the millitary, we can't be taking chances on peoples character.

You'll often find some really really shite tattoo's. Theres lots of 'drunk night out' tattoo's knocking around. Most people actually get small shit tattoo's once joining the military than before *laughs*.

We don’t allow piercings, other than small earrings for women.



"What kinds of tattoo's are common in the millitary?"


He said: 'Often kids names, date of births, San-skrit and Chinese symbols. Theres lots of footballs crests, especially over the heart or calf 

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