bib:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1olK19Zxtm_TC6i5YQCCU3ZZ1q0UcdvT0aud9Y4XAc_Q/edit?usp=sharing
abstract:
I present “TITLE,” a series of tattoos on individuals that explore tattoo culture and history in East Asia, portraying the connection between masculinity and tattoos in East Asia and the effects on tattoos on patriarchy.
The process of making “TITLE” primarily involved learning how to tattoo with a machine gun and looking for volunteers to be the canvases. To evaluate, thorough interviews and surveys were conducted to both the participants of this project and the ones viewing the project as an outside audience. The results showed that participants reported a heightened sense of ownership and connection to the art that was permanently inscribed on their bodies because the tattoos allowed them to express their identities, experiences, and beliefs in a symbolic, visual way. Furthermore, the study revealed a shift in the relationship between the artist and the canvas. Through the intimate and collaborative nature of tattooing, both parties engaged in a shared creative process, blurring the lines between creator and medium.