The Customiser Is Always Right by Nitricboy
I was reading the paper on the way into work today and there was a short article on tattoos. It was primarily about fashionable 'body art' and presented such 'mega-stars' as Robbie Williams, David Beckham and Madonna as examples of people in the public eye who have chosen to decorate their bodies for the sake of fashion.
It reminded me of another article I read much earlier in the year (in the same paper in fact) about how tattoos were a sign of insecurity and self-hate and went on to explain (citing the classic star-fuck-up-made-good: Drew Barrymore) how desecrating your skin is a sure sign that you hate life and are an insecure wreck of a human being destined for the social gutter (I remember it vividly because there was a salacious photo of Drew having a tattoo imprinted on her arse - full colour as well).
Now, it strikes me as futile (and also slightly patronising) to deconstruct the whole phenomenon of tattooing by relating it to an OK Magazine-style celebrity psychology review. The common factor in both these articles (apart from the fact that they were about tattoos obviously) was the way in which they utilised celebrities in order to make there point. Apparently it is difficult for us the general public to place an intelligent argument in any kind of context unless it is directly linked to a glamorous public figure who we already 'know'.
As most of us know the art of 'inking your skin' dates back way before Drew turned pre-teen and decided to get rebellious. I'm not going to burden you with details of Maori folk-lore etc (there was a very good article about the whole tradition in Adrenalin magazine a few months ago which can most likely be found on their website www.adrenalin-hit.com). But what I think is interesting is the way in which the tattoo has gained a certain social status (mostly through celebrity endorsement granted) over the past ten years or so and how that change in attitude has allowed it to become a viable form of 'personal expression.'
A decade ago the social groups you were most likely to spot sporting tattoos were squaddies, neo-nazis or bikers. Why? Because they're hard of course. "Look, I've got a spiders web/Swastika/Union Jack on my face, therefore you acknowledge what a maniac I am before I plant this pint glass in your face."
Ok, I'm generalising a touch - but I think it's worth arguing that tattoos have not only become more common in recent times but have also become more visible. That is: people have always had tattoos they just didn't necessarily tell their mums and dads (or the national press) about it!
Why has this happened?
Well, two reasons really, both intrinsically connected to the increased social acceptance of tattoos. One: The standard of tattoo artists has risen steeply. As the social opinion of the final product rises so does the pride and integrity of the people who create that product. Two: People have realised that they can utilise the tattoo to emphasise their personalities.
And, let's face it, the demand for this type of reconfirmation in today's society has basically gone through the roof. Customisation is one of the first cults of the twenty-first century. Whether it's jeans, trainers, your fucking ring tone or the body itself - everyone wants the independence and uniqueness that you inevitably have to pay top dollar for. Gone are the days when fourteen-year-olds gathered around the local twenty-four-hour petrol station decked out in identical shell suits. As we're all painfully aware, these days it's all about the Benjamins and if you haven't got enough Benjamins in your Building Society Young-Saver Account then you're just not going to cut it next to the guy sporting the limited edition Nikes with Puffy's signature lovingly reproduced on the side.
Tattoos however present a relatively cheap and incredibly personal way of customising yourself... and guess what? They last forever! Unless you're looking for a life-size portrait of Malcolm X across your back then a tattoo is going to cost somewhere between thirty and one hundred quid and will allow the world and his dog to see just how committed you are to our chosen subject.
Even if you don't choose to have Chairman Mao's portrait indelibly imprinted on your forearm ("been done") then even an indecipherable squiggle from the murky depths of Celtic tradition will do. After all it carries all the romantic connotations of bravery and manhood which will remain applicable throughout your life whereas Chairman Mao might not look so appealing once you actually read about what he did to millions of innocent people!
What it boils down to is the fact for those people committed or stupid enough to got through with it tattooing has become an acceptable way of promoting your own personality to the world and carries the added bonus of allowing the tattooee (Star Wars anyone?), a little more certainty when it comes to their own personal convictions ("Obviously I'm glad I called my child Brooklyn - look I even had it written above my arse." ).
Yes, Nitricboy does have a tattoo. No, he isn't going to tell you what (or where).