DOCSLIB.ORG

Tattoos — Health, Risks and Culture

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Tattoos — Health, Risks and Culture A REPORT FROM THE COUNCIL ON HEALTH AND DISEASE PREVENTION KRISTIANIAGADE 12 [email protected] DK-2100 COPENHAGEN WWW.VIDENSRAAD.DK TATTOOS — HEALTH, RISKS AND CULTURE WITH AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ’SEAMLESS PREVENTION’ STRATEGY JØRGEN SERUP JEPPE TROLLE LINNET OLE OLSEN BY NIELS HARRIT BO MØHL HENRIK WESTH A REPORT FROM THE COUNCIL ON HEALTH AND DISEASE PREVENTION KRISTIANIAGADE 12 [email protected] DK-2100 COPENHAGEN WWW.VIDENSRAAD.DK TATTOOS — HEALTH, RISKS AND CULTURE WITH AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ’SEAMLESS PREVENTION’ STRATEGY JØRGEN SERUP JEPPE TROLLE LINNET OLE OLSEN BY NIELS HARRIT BO MØHL HENRIK WESTH TATTOOS – HEALTH, RISKS AND CULTURE TATTOOS – HEALTH, RISKS AND CULTURE With an introduction to the ’seamless prevention’ strategy Prepared by Jørgen Serup Niels Harrit Jeppe Trolle Linnet Bo Møhl Ole Olsen Henrik Westh Translated from Danish by Larry Morlan Technical editor Peter Gjerndrup Aagaard ISBN 978-87-998156-3-0 Photos All photos were provided by Jørgen Serup unless otherwise stated. Design B14 Year of publication 2015 First edition Report references Serup J, Harrit N, Linnet JT, Møhl B, Olsen O, Westh H. Tattoos – health, risks and culture. With introduction of the ”seamless prevention” strategy. Copenhagen: The Council on Health and Disease Prevention. 2015:1-156. The report may be freely downloaded at www.vidensraad.dk THE COUNCIL ON HEALTH AND DISEASE PREVENTION WAS FOUNDED BY AND TATTOOS – HEALTH, RISKS AND CULTURE PREFACE 4 TATTOOS IN DENMARK FROM A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE 5 THE COMPOSITION OF THE WORKGROUP 6 METHODS AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT 7 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 9 2 THE CURRENT PREVALENCE AND PATTERNS OF TATTOOS 18 3 THE PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIAL DYNAMICS OF TATTOOS 25 4 TYPES OF TATTOOS 47 5 LIGHT, COLOURS AND TATTOOS 53 6 DISCOMFORT IN CONNECTION WITH TATTOOS 62 7 CLINICAL COMPLICATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH TATTOOS 69 8 TATTOO INK 91 9 REGULATORY CONDITIONS FOR TATTOOING AND TATTOO PIGMENTS 110 10 REMOVAL OF TATTOOS 121 11 ‘SEAMLESS PREVENTION’ - A NEW PREVENTION STRATEGY 130 12 KNOWLEDGE DEFICIT 147 The Council on Health and Disease Prevention’s website includes a number of relevant appendixes (in Danish) and links to websites on tattoos. You can see more at www.vidensraad.dk TATTOOS – HEALTH, RISKS AND CULTURE PREFACE It has become more common to get a tattoo. regarding the health effects of tattoo ink, as well Once tattoos were reserved for special subgroups, as the risks involved in the tattooing situation. We such as seamen and motorcycle gang members will also investigate whether the control systems (bikers), but now getting tattoos is prevalent in regarding tattoos are sufficient. other segments of the population. A tattoo sends a signal about identity, belonging to a group and/ This report is intended for healthcare professionals, or decoration. who are involved with patients with tattoos and their consequences, as well as the general public in order There are many myths about tattoos, and there are to provide more thorough information about the many unanswered questions. Most people have advantages and, especially, the disadvantages of heard about individual side effects, regretting tat- getting tattoos. It is also hoped that the report can toos, dangerous tattoo ink, contaminated needles be used both nationally and internationally in order and the risk of hepatitis. But are there adverse side to develop a legal and supervisory means of im- effects from the various pigments that are injected proving tattoo safety. Therefore, the report has been into the skin and exactly how widespread are these translated into English in a slightly revised form. adverse effects? Do poisons accumulate, which cannot be expelled from the body? And are there safer ways to decorate your body? Morten Grønbæk Chair of the Council on Health and Disease The Council on Health and Disease Prevention Prevention has decided to investigate the scientific literature 4 TATTOOS – HEALTH, RISKS AND CULTURE TATTOOS IN DENMARK FROM A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE Approximately 600,000 people in Denmark have of obtaining measurable effects on the known tattoos, and in Europe the number of tattooed problems, which include allergies in coloured people is estimated to be about 100 million. tattoos, agglomeration problems in black tattoos, Tattoos probably represent the most extensive sun-related discomfort and, not least, the psycho- exposure of people to chemical substances and social problems, including regret. The content of microparticles and nanoparticles of our time. The carcinogens in the ink gives, de facto, no measur- ingredients of tattoo ink are largely unknown and able clinical cancer. These conditions mean that bacterial contamination of new ink products is not regulation of chemical constituent substances in uncommon. Concurrently with the tattoo trend, tattoo ink, as, for example, expressed in Council of the medical and sociocultural complications and Europe Resolution ResAP (2008)1, regardless of potential risks have become obvious, and there is a the fact that tattoo ink, obviously, cannot contain need for a joint prevention effort in Europe. absolutely anything all without restriction, has not proven to function in the prevention of complica- Denmark and other European countries, as well tions related to tattoos. as the EU, are now actively involved in regulating the area, which would be most appropriate to be Innovation is needed when it comes to preven- based on a joint strategy for large regions, such as tion. This report introduces an integrated strate- Europe. The countries’ requirements for tattoos gy,’seamless prevention’, in which all parts of the are insufficient and dissimilar in sharp contrast tattooing process that present a risk are included to the EU requirements that exist for medical and subjected to pragmatic action. The action products and injections for humans. It is difficult to focuses on the customer-tattooist relationship, regulate and control tattoos because, among other which is the focal point of risks related to tattooing. reasons, the area is anchored in popular cultural Influencing this relationship and the conditions ownership, and is many-faceted and fragmented. during the tattooing process, and through a dialogue with the players and professionalising This report examines and analyses the tattoo them, provide the greatest prospects for making phenomenon from a health perspective, primar- real progress regarding prevention. As is the case ily based on Danish conditions, but also from a for other types of prevention that have significance European perspective. Lack of knowledge is, with for the effect, the strategy of ‘seamless prevention’ the exception of infections, the greatest obstacle must be consistent in a large geographical area, to the launching of efficient prevention activities and ideally it should be at a European level that is of a more technical nature with the prospect supported by European health authorities. 5 TATTOOS – HEALTH, RISKS AND CULTURE THE COMPOSITION OF THE WORKGROUP The chair of the workgroup is designated by the › Ole Olsen, MSc, CEO, Medico Chemical chairmanship of the Council on Health and Dis- Lab ApS. ease Prevention, while the members of the work- group are designated jointly by the chair of the › Henrik Westh, Professor, Chief Physician, workgroup and the chairmanship of the Council on MD, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Health and Disease Prevention. They are selected Hvidovre Hospital, and Institute for Clinical on the basis of their professional competences Medicine, University of Copenhagen within the topics that the report contains: Peter Gjerndrup Aagaard, Consultant, MSc, of the › Jørgen Serup (chair), Professor, Chief Phy- Council on Health and Disease Prevention’s secre- sician, MD, Department of Dermatology/ tariat has been the project manager and technical Tattoo Clinic, Bispebjerg University Hospital, editor for the workgroup. University of Copenhagen. Declarations of legal capacity for the members › Niels Harrit, PhD, Associate Professor of the workgroup may be obtained by contacting Emeritus, Institute of Chemistry, University of the Council on Health and Disease Prevention’s Copenhagen. secretariat. › Jeppe Trolle Linnet, Anthropologist, PhD, The workgroup wishes to thank: Lecturer at Aalborg University and Aarhus Eva Jacobsen, MSc in chemistry and mathematics, University. CEO Linnet Research. Head of Section of the Chemical and Microbio- logical Laboratory of Life Science at the Techno- › Bo Møhl, Professor, Special Psychologist in logical Institute for participating in the preparation Psychiatry, Master of Arts, Master of Psy- of the chapter on chemical substances in tattoo ink. chology, Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Aalborg University. 6 TATTOOS – HEALTH, RISKS AND CULTURE METHODS AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT The starting point for identifying literature that groups over time, while Chapter 2 presents the provides the basis for this report is the generally current pattern of the incidence in Denmark today. available databases of scientific literature within the Chapter 3 delves deeper in the psychological and different professional areas, as well as published social mechanisms that motivate people to get analyses and reports etc. of what is also available. tattoos, as well as people’s opinions about and The sources are stated in the references indicat- impressions of people who have tattoos. Chapters ed. The report contains the references that are 4 and 5, respectively, provide a short review of the relevant to clarifying the topic.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Tattoos & IP Norms
    Case Western Reserve University School of Law Scholarly Commons Faculty Publications 2013 Tattoos & IP Norms Aaron K. Perzanowski Case Western University School of Law, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/faculty_publications Part of the Intellectual Property Law Commons Repository Citation Perzanowski, Aaron K., "Tattoos & IP Norms" (2013). Faculty Publications. 47. https://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/faculty_publications/47 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Case Western Reserve University School of Law Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of Case Western Reserve University School of Law Scholarly Commons. Article Tattoos & IP Norms Aaron Perzanowski† Introduction ............................................................................... 512 I. A History of Tattoos .............................................................. 516 A. The Origins of Tattooing ......................................... 516 B. Colonialism & Tattoos in the West ......................... 518 C. The Tattoo Renaissance .......................................... 521 II. Law, Norms & Tattoos ........................................................ 525 A. Formal Legal Protection for Tattoos ...................... 525 B. Client Autonomy ...................................................... 532 C. Reusing Custom Designs ......................................... 539 D. Copying Custom Designs .......................................
    [Show full text]
  • An Analysis of Historical and Contemporary Tattooing Practices Among Members of the Military Community
    Tattooing Identity: An analysis of historical and contemporary tattooing practices among members of the military community __________________________________________________________________ AN HONORS THESIS Presented to The Department of Anthropology The Colorado College _______________________________________________________________ By Victoria Frecentese May 2013 Approved: ____________________________ Date: __________________________________ ON MY HONOR I HAVE NEITHER GIVEN NOR RECEIVED UNAUTHORIZED AID ON THIS SENIOR THESIS ____________________________________ Victoria Frecentese ii Table of Contents Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………………………..….. iv Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… v Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………….…………… 1 Evidence of Historical Body Modifications …………………..…………….…..…………… 1 Table 1: Timeline of major event in tattooing history …………………….. 2 Figure 1: Diagram of tattoos found on Bronze Age mummy, Ötzi ……. 4 Figure 2: Configuration of tattoos found on second mummy ……….…. 5 Figure 3: Depictions of the god Bes as evident in Egyptian tattoos …. 7 Figure 4: Depictions of fantastical beasts found on the Pazyryk warrior ………………………………………………………………………… 8 Contemporary Culture and Theory ……………………….………………...……………….. 15 Figure 5: Engraving of the New Zealand moko ……………..………………. 17 Figure 6: Diagram of the original tattaugraph machine…………………. 23 Figure 7: Original tattoo flash images from 1940 …………………………. 26 Methodology …………………………………………………………………………………………..…... 37 Results …………………………………………………………………………………………………...……
    [Show full text]
  • Tattoo World Agnieszka Marczak Rhode Island College
    Rhode Island College Digital Commons @ RIC Honors Projects Overview Honors Projects 4-2007 Tattoo World Agnieszka Marczak Rhode Island College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.ric.edu/honors_projects Part of the Art Practice Commons, Asian History Commons, Cultural History Commons, European History Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Other History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology Commons, and the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Marczak, Agnieszka, "Tattoo World" (2007). Honors Projects Overview. 29. https://digitalcommons.ric.edu/honors_projects/29 This Honors is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors Projects at Digital Commons @ RIC. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Projects Overview by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ RIC. For more information, please contact [email protected]. TATTOO WORLD By Agnieszka Marczak An Honors Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Honors in The Department of Anthropology The Faculty of Arts and Sciences Rhode Island College 2007 2 TATTOO WORLD An Undergraduate Honors Project Presented By Agnieszka Marczak To The Department of Anthropology Approved: ______________________________________ _____________________ Project Advisor Date ______________________________________ _____________________ Chair, Department Honors Committee Date ______________________________________ _____________________ Department Chair Date 3 I. Introduction II. Cultural Context: Prehistory to Contact A. Europe B. Asia C. The Pacific III. Acculturation and Exchange: From Contact to the Modern Day IV. Issues in Tattoo Culture A. Commodification, Authenticity and Meaning B. The Impact of Technology and the Medical and Legal Concerns C. The Body as Canvas and the Functions of Tattoo V. Conclusion 4 Abstract This paper is a holistic look at the world of tattoo.
    [Show full text]
  • An Ethnographic Study of Tattooing in Downtown Tokyo
    一橋大学審査学位論文 Doctoral Dissertation NEEDLING BETWEEN SOCIAL SKIN AND LIVED EXPERIENCE: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF TATTOOING IN DOWNTOWN TOKYO McLAREN, Hayley Graduate School of Social Sciences Hitotsubashi University SD091024 社会的皮膚と生きられた経験の間に針を刺す － 東京の下町における彫り物の民族誌的研究－ ヘィリー・マクラーレン 一橋大学審査学位論文 博士論文 一橋大学大学院社会学研究科博士後期課程 i CONTENTS CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................... I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................ III NOTES ........................................................................................................................................ IV Notes on Language .......................................................................................................... iv Notes on Names .............................................................................................................. iv Notes on Textuality ......................................................................................................... iv Notes on Terminology ..................................................................................................... iv LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... VI LIST OF WORDS .................................................................................................................... VIII INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Tattooing Among American Sailors and Maritime Communities from 1860 to 1945 Scott Boersma
    Eastern Illinois University The Keep 2019 Awards for Excellence in Student Research 2019 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity – Documents and Creative Activity 2019 Tattooing Among American Sailors and Maritime Communities from 1860 to 1945 Scott Boersma Follow this and additional works at: https://thekeep.eiu.edu/lib_awards_2019_docs Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Boersma, Scott, "Tattooing Among American Sailors and Maritime Communities from 1860 to 1945" (2019). 2019 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity – Documents. 2. https://thekeep.eiu.edu/lib_awards_2019_docs/2 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the 2019 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity at The Keep. It has been accepted for inclusion in 2019 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity – Documents by an authorized administrator of The Keep. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 1 Tattooing Among American Sailors and Maritime Communities from 1860 to 1945 Scott D Boersma Written for Dr. Charles Foy’s American Maritime History (HIS:3385) Fall 2018 2 It is the 1880s in Brighton, England, on the coast of the English Channel. A young boy depicts a scene of some of the men who work at sea. “Nearly all my sailor friends on the beach were tattooed. Of course, their tattoos were crude: just an anchor, a primitive attempt at a portrait of Lord Nelson or a declaration of ‘True Love’ made by some other Jack Tar ‘’teween the heaving decks of a sailing-ship’. But a few had fine tattoos, made by Japanese horis or Burmese craftsmen when their ships had docked at Rangoon or Akyab or Yokohama”.1 That young boy, George Burchett, would later practice the trade of tattooing, join the Royal Navy, and become a leading figure in England’s tattoo industry in the first half of the twentieth century.
    [Show full text]
  • PM0705-38 Pgsc4,C1-11.Qxd
    MEAGAN AVILA ★ FRANKIE FICARRA ★ TALISMAN BODY ART BUYER’S GUIDE FOR BODY MODIFICATION PROFESSIONALS APRIL 2020 #215 USA $10.00 Canada $10.00 Publications Mail Agreement #40069018 PAINMAGAZINE 6 onthecover APRIL #215 content Feature 14 The Old(er) School Ask Angel What does it take to be Ultimate? Blood, passion 16 and determination; It’s that simple. It’s in the Rings, Studs, & Angles DNA. It’s the relentless dedication, the drive to be the absolute. We’re not here because we wanted to create another tattoo supply shop. Company Spotlight We’re not here because we thought we could 19 do it better. We’re here because we did. Stiletto Tattoo Supply Over 3000 Products Whether you're looking for inks, machines, shop Product Spotlight supplies, permanent makeup or anything else 26 Metal Mafia related to the tattoo industry, we have you covered. 50+ Years Decades of experience and a lifetime of work. Shop of the Month None of that was in vain. It was the driving 27 Talisman Body Art force behind the recognition that our industry was evolving. The PAIN Magazine 1 Website 32 It's in the name. Everything we do and every Advertising Options brand we carry, by definition, the creme of the crop, the top of the pile, the best; ultimate. 40 PAINful Music: The cover was designed by Rob Schwager & What’s the deal with coolships? photograph by Alina Kolberg [email protected] GalleryShows & Expos ultimatetattoosupply.com 42 2nd Council Bluffs Tattoo Arts Convention 866.833.7175 See page Inside Back Cover PAINMAGAZINE 8 Artist
    [Show full text]
  • Class Catalog
    0 | P a g e The field of Tattoo and Piercing artistry is growing exponentially, creating job opportunities across the U.S. and abroad. The Master Tattoo Institute has assembled program studies that lay the groundwork for a fulfilling and successful career, while enabling a dedicated artist to excel in the field. Our instructors convey to our student base an understanding of core values, client appreciation and consideration. While attending our program studies, each student will develop a sense of belonging within the family of tattoo and piercing professionals, an appreciation of their unique signature and of the personality they bring to their art. The Master Tattoo Institute The Master Tattoo Institute 740 71st Street Miami Beach, FL 33141 786.220.8238 This catalog supersedes all previous editions and is in effect until a subsequent version is published either in print or online. All information in this catalog is current at the time of printing. Statements regarding tuition and fees, curriculum, course offerings, admissions, and graduation requirements are subject to change at any time and are applicable to all enrolled students unless otherwise stated. This course catalog is the MTI course catalog for terms 2018-2020. The Master Tattoo Institute admits academically qualified students without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, disability, or age. © 2014, The Master Tattoo Institute 1 | P a g e Contents APPROVALS .......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Old-School Ink: New Haven's Tattoos
    Contact: Margaret Anne Tockarshewsky, Executive Director, New Haven Museum 203-562-4183, ext. 20, [email protected] Julie Winkel, Media Specialist, 203-815-0800, [email protected] Old-School Ink: New Haven’s Tattoos Exhibit to Open at New Haven Museum New Haven, Conn. (September 11, 2017) –Ray Willis was in the middle of the sweltering Amazon rainforest earlier this year when a complete stranger took one look at the tattoo emblazoned on Willis‘ right shoulder above the words, ―Original Gangsta,‖ and said, ―That‘s John DeStefano.‖ Willis, a city employee who crowdsourced funding for the tattoo to commemorate the New Haven mayor‘s record-breaking 20-year career, was shocked. A large photo of Willis‘s tattoo is just one of the many quirky items that will be featured in ―Old-School Ink: New Haven‘s Tattoos,‖ an exhibition opening on September 23 at the New Haven Museum. From 2 to 6 p.m., the afternoon‘s events will feature hands-on activities; temporary tattoos; professional photography of visitors and their tattoos, a storytelling booth with the New Haven Story Project, and a reception with the artists from 4 to 6 pm. The exhibit will remain on view through March 10, 2018. The free opening is being held by the Museum to mark Museum Day Live!, a national celebration sponsored each year by Smithsonian Magazine: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/museum-day-live-2017/. ―Old School Ink‖ guest curator Elinor Slomba enlisted New Haven photojournalist Corey Hudson in her examination of why and where locals get tattoos, and how the industry, public policy, and aesthetics surrounding the art of tattooing have evolved over time.
    [Show full text]
  • Tattoos: Ritual
    Title: Welcome to Tattoos: Ritual. Identity. Obsession. Art. The tradition of tattoos has a history of at least 5,000 years, is deep-rooted, strong, and global. The word “tattoo” comes from the Polynesian tatau, recorded by European explorers during the 18th century. Tattooing has re-invented itself around the world, from indigenous origins to those on the fringes of society to mainstream groups. And from underground trends to popular culture. International exchanges between innovative tattoo artists has led to the standards and techniques now used in contemporary tattooing. Over the course of this history, beyond ritual, magical, and social uses, tattooing emerged as an explicit artistic practice. Today, the transformation continues alongside artistic and technological advances. This exhibition traces tattoos over continents and time, examining both the artists and the tattooed, and exploring the factors that have made tattooing an important cultural practice, compelling art form, and modern phenomenon. Title: Tattooing Today Building on a foundation by renowned tattoo artists, a new generation has brought tattooing into the 21st century, and many new genres have appeared. One is inspired by traditional motifs —the Japanese irezumi tradition, Indigenous styles, “old school” American designs, and Russian gulag tattoos. Another school distances itself from current trends to explore the unlimited potential of graphic arts, using typographies, pixels, and sketches that reveal new, sometimes abstract compositions. Over the last decade, tattooing has pushed boundaries to produce a new aesthetic. A number of artworks have been created especially for this exhibition by master tattoo artists from around the world. This silicone mold of an arm was constructed using a live model and tattooed as if it were real skin by self-taught tattoo artist Yann Black.
    [Show full text]
  • A Short History of Military Tattoos
    A Short History of Military Tattoos The tradition is a mainstay in American military history Aug 17, 2016 This article originally appeared in the August 2016 issue of the VFW magazine. While anthropologists cannot pinpoint one reason tattooing began or held fast over the course of humanity, one reason tattooing persists is to signify a warrior. The tradition of tattooing is a mainstay in American military history, from the Revolution to Online Version: https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2016/8/a-short-history-of-military-tattoos Online Version: https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2016/8/a-short-history-of-military-tattoos today. The age-old practice of tattooing can be found on mummies dating as far back as 4000 B.C. Cultural anthropologists attribute the spread of tattooing or body-marking culture to a variety of human traits, ranging from religion to magic to experience and memory. Outside of religious or ancient ceremonial trends—especially among tribal people worldwide—the connection of the body with patriotic sentiments has, for centuries, been a Page 2 of 7 Online Version: https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2016/8/a-short-history-of-military-tattoos motivating factor in perpetuating the art of tattoo among warriors. Furthermore, some anthropologists argue that early tattooing was a form of therapy. “Tattoos and other permanent forms of body modification have been paramount in establishing the status and reputation of warriors for hundreds, if not thousands, of years,” Lars Krutak, a tattoo anthropologist and the host of Discovery Channel’s Tattoo Hunter, told Medium’s “War is Boring” blog in 2014.
    [Show full text]
  • Intellectual Property Norms in the Tattoo Industry
    INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY NORMS IN THE TATTOO INDUSTRY Aaron Perzanowski† INTRODUCTION An estimated twenty-one percent of adults in the United States—more than sixty-five million Americans—have at least one tattoo.1 For those under the age of 40, that percentage nearly dou- bles.2 Not surprisingly, the tattoo business is booming. By some esti- mates, the U.S. tattoo industry generates $2.3 billion in annual reve- nue.3 Once the mark of sailors, convicts, and circus performers, the tattoo has infiltrated mainstream society.4 Despite its countercultural origins, the tattoo industry shares much in common with other, more familiar creative industries. Fun- damentally, it capitalizes on market demand for original creative works. But as public goods, the value of those works is readily ap- propriable through copying. Predictably, copying is both a practical reality and a source of concern within the industry. But unlike their † Visiting Associate Professor, University of Notre Dame Law School; Assistant Professor, Wayne State University Law School. 1 See Harris Interactive, One in Five U.S. Adults Now Has a Tattoo (Feb. 23, 2012), http://www.harrisinteractive.com/vault/Harris%20Poll% 2022%20-Tattoos_2.23.12.pdf. 2 See Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, 36% - Tattooed Gen Nexters, DATABANK (July 22, 2012), http://pewresearch.org/ databank/dailynumber/?NumberID=237 (noting that thirty-six per- cent of adults between 18 and 25 and forty percent of those between 26 and 40 currently have or previously had a tattoo). 3 Max Chafkin, King Ink, INC. (Nov. 1, 2007), http://www.inc.com/magazine/20071101/king-ink.html.
    [Show full text]
  • Anthropological Perspectives on North American Contemporary Tattooing
    University of Central Florida STARS Honors Undergraduate Theses UCF Theses and Dissertations 2021 Marked Membership: Anthropological Perspectives on North American Contemporary Tattooing Rosalie A. Johnson University of Central Florida Part of the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the UCF Theses and Dissertations at STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Undergraduate Theses by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Recommended Citation Johnson, Rosalie A., "Marked Membership: Anthropological Perspectives on North American Contemporary Tattooing" (2021). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 1028. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses/1028 MARKED MEMBERSHIP: ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON NORTH AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY TATTOOING by ROSALIE JOHNSON A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Honors in the Major Program in Anthropology in the College of the Sciences and in the Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Summer Term 2021 ABSTRACT Tattooing has persisted across time and space, often developing across ancient civilizations, even before cross-cultural contact. With the current oldest verified tattoos on the mummified body of Ötzi, the 5,300-year-old Tyrolean Iceman, up to current-day tattooing, a variety of uses and meanings have been ascribed to the practice. A majority of anthropological research has been dedicated towards indigenous tattooing traditions, external perceptions of marked individuals, and tattooing’s deviant associations. Only a marginal amount of work has been geared towards the internal perceptions and cultural structuring of tattoos within modern societies, especially in the West.
    [Show full text]