April 15, 2007

"Tattoos remind you of death."

That's the title of what I consider the best blog post I've ever written. It was only possible because I had the perfect news story to riff on. Now, here are some photos of the pigs tattooed for the sake of art and the finished artwork, courtesy of this Metafilter post.

13 comments:

Jim Hu said...

When I followed the link and read "Luis Vuitton" my first reaction was that this was going to be about a very odd line of high-end pigskin luggage. Which led to musings about other applications and markets

Ruth Anne Adams said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Palladian said...

Those wacky Europeans!

Joan said...

That image of the crucified Mickey Mouse on the finished artwork achieves its purpose.

One of my all-time favorite posts is about tattooing, also, and in it, I coined the term tattoo taxidermy. I had no idea at the time Art Farm China existed -- in July, I spend more time at the beach than on the computer, and so I missed the original post. Just last month I wondered why people were hitting my blog using that search term -- now I know why!

I'm relieved that most likely they were looking for Art Farm's products, and not a way to preserve their own tats post mortem, an idea which still creeps me out.

Maxine Weiss said...

It's so sad. Where are all the prostitutes without any tattoos and piercings?

If a man wants a Pro without tattoos and piercings---that sort of look is considered so wildly exotic that he has to call a special service.

The common street hookers have all marked up their bodies so..

Who wants to make love to a rifle range?

Sad for the male clients who want a more pristine look.

Peace, Maxine

Simon said...

I think "macabre" is the word I'm looking for.

Palladian said...

"Who wants to make love to a rifle range?"

Would you really consider the transaction between prostitute and client "making love"?

Palladian said...

This reminds me that China also has a growing industry devoted to the preservation and preparation for display of flayed human bodies.

China is a bad place.

Maxine Weiss said...

What goes on between prostitute and client is one of the most intimate forms of exchange in society.

I take an interest in Hooker fashions, and how they've changed over time, because it says something about society in general.

A 1950s hooker dressed in a more respectable fashion, and yet she still managed to get the job done. When I look at pictures of Judith Exner, it's quite a revelation, that you could be that common-looking, that pedestrian, even for back then, and still have major success in her chosen profession.

Peace, Maxine

Ruth Anne Adams said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chip Ahoy said...

Definitely macabre. The art reminds me of books bound in human skin and of the samples of tattooed skin collected by Nazis.

Chip Ahoy said...

I just thought of the perfect gift for Pelosi with her to take to Iran.

Unknown said...

"When I see someone with a tattoo, I usually think: you're going to have that as part of your body until the day you die. And then you're going to have that on your body in your grave. You and that tattoo are in a death grip."

Youzah, that's morbid. Why on earth would that be the thought that crosses your mind? My thoughts are usually -- That's crappy.; That's beautiful.; or Wonder what that means to them?