MY Final Paper

Tareq Alsomahi

English 191(Final paper)

Dec 18,2012

Tattoos

Body art/Tattoos have assumed many forms throughout the history of various civilizations throughout the world. A tattoo can be defined as an indelible marking made on the skin using special pigment. It can be designed in various shapes, forms and sizes to satisfy the client.  The origin of tattoos dates back to the ninth century not only in the Scandinavian valleys of Russia but the hills of china and great pyramids of Egypt (Gaudio, pg.13). Several reasons inspire people to permanently draw images on their bodies. Depending on the occasion or the customs, the motives range from rites of passage, as a symbol of social class and rank, age group, membership in a society or group, rebellion, and creative expression. This paper boldly explains the grounds behind getting tattoos and the detrimental effects they have on people and the society as a whole. A myriad of particular individual reasons motivate people to get tattoos, but trends and patterns are by far identified that make clear why countless people in the United States and other civilizations desire to have one or more forms of body art.     

 

The History of Tattoos in America

As mentioned, tattoos date back to the Neolithic period where tribes engaged in ethnic customs that involved various forms of body art (Gaudio, pg.2). Monarchs, civilians, merchants, Vikings and prisoners alike all indulged in the creative art of tattooing. Evidence collected from historical sites and accounts reveal the presence of body art in ancient Egypt, Siberia, New Guinea, China, Brazil etc. this only goes to show how global the art of tattooing is, and how mature (Gaudio, pg. 45). If truth be told, tattooing had been in existence centuries before England's Captain Cook encountered it in the South Pacific in 1769 (Finan, par.5). When his adventures landed him in present day Tahiti, the great explorer observed natives marking themselves in tribal pigment that left tattoo marks on their skin.

In his exploratory book The Voyage in H.M. Bark Endeavor, cook employed the use of the term “tatua” which in English meant to leave a mark on ones skin. Bringing back the practice to his homeland, Cook pioneered the art of tattooing which has spread into many parts of America and the entire globe. In America, tattooing was at first considered uncouth and was unaccepted in many parts. This school of thought changed and in fact German native Martin Hildebrandt got to be the first professional tattoo artist in mainstream America (Kwiatkowski, par.6).

            Previously, tattoos were drawn by hand and needle but by 1891 had developed to an electric tattoo machine that was easily able to made indelible markings on the skin. Following this, a legacy of body art was then pioneered by Irish born Samuel O'Reilly who established a tattoo parlor in New York City (Kwiatkowski, par.2). Thereafter during the two world wars, and the punk rock movements, American militants and vigilante groups employed tattooing as a means of protection and identity (Jackson, par.4). Vikings and nautical seamen soon extend the art to Scandinavia and the states. But whereas its significance has varied from culture to culture as well as from civilization to civilization, tattooing has more often stood as a symbol of social status, as a sign of one's course through life, or merely as a way to beautify the body (Kwiatkowski, par.6). Once thought of in the West as frightening and repulsive especially during the punk movement in America and Europe, the tattoo has enjoyed great fame in our own culture in especially in recent years. Everything around us today; films, advertisements, magazines, television programs, conventions etc show signs that populace of all cultures and ethnicities understand value and practice the art of the tattoo.

Effects of Tattoos on the Body

In light of the discussion above, tattoos still have detrimental effects and health risks that may be harmful to the person getting the tattoo. Given the fact that getting a tattoo involves needles and blood, the practice hold several risks. When tattoo artists fail to use proper sterilization and sanitation methods, the client is at risk of getting various infections which include HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, and Hepatitis among others. Although doctors have had no documented proof of the transmission of HIV through tattoos and body work, cases of hepatitis B and syphilis infections have been on the rise, especially in cases where the artist fails to use proper cleaning methods. Also, bacterial infections are likely to occur with tattoo infections in the case where a client fails to apply the required anti bacterial cream that protects against infection.

Some clients also complain of allergic reactions to tattoo inks and machines. While the color used can have U.S-FDA approval for other uses, the FDA does not police tattoo pigments (Healy, par.3). Additionally, some people experience soreness or burning during medical MRI procedures possibly due to the metallic pigments. Some physicians have also given evidence of interference and imprecise MRI images rooting from the pigment used during tattooing (Healy, par.4). As well, most American states place precincts on whether people with tattoos are able to donate blood. Due to the risk of hepatitis, the American Red Cross does not accept blood donations from persons with tattoo’s that are less than a year old unless the tattoo parlor is state licensed, in contrast with this, most states do not legalize tattoo parlors.

Tattoo artists in this case are required to also take particular safety measures as regards to their hands and sanitation. Gloves help avert the spread of infections from bodily fluids because bacteria flourish in the warm, damp environment they make. Also, bylaws call for minors to have adult consent to get a tattoo, most preferably a parent. Therefore, some youngsters get tattoos from friends or amateurs, who use improvised tools like pens, needles and paper clips with little if any hygienic precautions. This is without a doubt very hazardous, given the fact that proper tools and sanitary precautions guard people against disease and infection (Healy, par.1).

Reasons for Putting Tattoos on the Body

Groups in America today now boldly appreciate the artistic value of tattooing. The use of tattoos has been applied in quite a number of ways, many of which include personal and religious beliefs, military service, honoring loved ones or simply for beauty (Finan, par.1).  Religious beliefs may include tattoos that identify one within their society, tattoos that symbolize a supernatural being for instance a tattoo of Jesus Christ or simply as a devotion to their beliefs. Tattoos are also used to symbolize feelings of affection towards loved ones e.g. lovers or married people, loved ones who have passed away or even doing time in jail (Jackson, par.3). Also as mentioned, tattoos were and still are used in the military for identification and also as camouflage. Notably, tattoos with militant purpose are not artistic in nature but are simply black markings drawn on the face and clothes for identification. A moving story in the L.A. Times once detailed the story of a Marine Corps Iraq War veteran tattooing the names of his 10 dead colleagues on his backside along with beautiful artwork. The visible scars of his own injury received from the blast that killed his friends were combined with the tattoo.

Another fascinating motivation behind body artwork had been described by author of Pagan Fleshworks: the Alchemy of Body Modification Maureen Mercury; a notable inspiration behind tattoos is the need for human beings to be in touch with their bodies again, whether consciously or unconsciously. She argues that modern philosophy has for a long time advocated for humans to be in touch with their minds and thus has created a disconnection between the being and their physical body (pg.75). Adding to this, Mercury (pg. 33) notes that the pain an individual feels while getting their tattoo done reactivates the link between the body and the person. This is quite juxtaposed to the conventionally mental ways in which people connect to modern day experiences such as  reading words, sitting in cars, viewing images, sitting at desks, et cetera. Mercury also insists that the tattoo leave a “symbol” that acts as a constant reminder of the phases of life and the countless experiences that come with it. 

            Apart from the physical needs laid out by Mercury, tattoos can also be a mode of self expression for people who are incapable or rather challenged at expressing themselves, using their body as a canvas. The ownership of the skin and being able to express oneself through it is something that many subconsciously cherish. In our greatly fast paced society, the lasting possession automatically enabled by body art has appeal for many worldwide. This unparalleled possession is hard to realize in any other way, and, in proper circumstances, a tattoo lets an individual to be fulfilled by the creativity (Finan, par.4).

It is well know that the art of tattooing has in for all time received great antagonism not only from the older generations but from religious fraternities and groups. For instance in Christianity, the practice of body work has been greatly criticized largely due to the fact that biblical teachings preach against any bodily marks that may offend their creator (Dan, par.1). There however have been conflicting ideas as some Christians boldly use tattooing as an art, for instance when they get tattoos of Jesus Christ r the holy Virgin Mary.  Other religions such as Judaism and Islam strictly forbid the use of tattoos or any other acquired bodily markings for that matter (Dan, par.2). No follower of the individual religions is allowed to get any form of tattoos and failure to this result in punishment. Mormons however are simply discouraged to put any tattoos on their bodies as they do believe in the teachings of the bible but this does not mean that some of them do not. All in all, different religions and different people have various approaches to the practice of tattooing and body art and this at the end of the day varies with the individual, especially in present day America (Dan, par.5).

In conclusion Tattooing is in this new age seen as a part of fashion and the young generation is plainly crazy about this kind of body art. The blend of technology, historical knowledge and artistic skill has taken the art of tattooing to unimaginable heights with people tattooing virtually any part of their body. It has been noted that hand tattooing is also making a comeback in the America again, particularly in the heavy metal followings that have some sort of “appreciation” for pain. Tattoo and body art is fast growing in not only America but all over that there is hardly any country unaffected by this form of art.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bibliography

 

(1) Dan, T. T. Tattoos and Religion, 2009. Web. 12 Dec. 2012.  

(2) Finan, E. Is Art Just Skin Deep? 2002. Web. 8 Dec. 2012.   

(3) Gaudio, M. Engraving the savage: The New World and Techniques of Civilization.             Minnesota: University of Minnesota Press. 2008. Print.

(4) Healy, B. The Dangerous Art of the Tattoo, 25 July 2008. Web. 12 Dec. 2012.

(5) Jackson, B. 5 Reasons Why People Get Tattoos, 7 May 2007. Web. 14 Dec. 2012.  

(6) Kwiatkowski, P. Tattoos, Mar 27, 2011. Web.11 Dec. 2012.    

                                                       

(7) Mercury, M. Pagan Fleshworks: The Alchemy of Body Modification. California: Park

Street Press. 2006. Print.