I've never had any trouble with my tattoos, most of the time everyone loves the ones I have. When I first brought the idea up of getting a tattoo my mom said no, then brought it down to after I turn 21, then when I turned 18, she went with me get my first one. Personal, I think tattoo is art, I have seen some amazing pieces, then I've seen some really crappy ones too, but that goes with any forms of art. Also I think it is very important for people to think about the tattoo they are going to get and where, don't just go out on a whim and get it. You 'll have to live with that tattoo for the rest of your life, unless you get it removed, which will cost much more then the tattoo and be even more painful.

I think our society still pictures bikers, and other tough characters are the only people with tattoos, but our society forgets about why people get tattos, maybe they get a tattoo for spiritual reasons, to remember a loved one, to celebrate life, to remember over coming bad times, giving strengh to oneself or because they love that tattoo. Our society tends to fear what is different, just by having tattoos makes me different, people are fearful of that.

There is a saying which I think is perfect for this discussion

My Body is My Temple and It is My Choice to put Wallpaper up or not.

panpanchan

I beg to disagree with you, kieselgurgh. While I do agree that there are some people who do have them done to get attention, they are not the norm. There are so many reasons people get tattoos. Think about this: Tattooing has been around since practically the beginning of man. Many native tribes use their tattoos as identification, decoration, status signifiers, and proof of accomplishments.

So far from the people who I've seen with tattoos on their skin none of them seems to be from a native tribe and I seriously doubt you're from one of those native tribes.

panpanchan

Sailors used to get them as proof of where they've traveled or good luck charms for their journeys home and such.

None of the people who I've seen with tattoos were sailors either, also, I seriously doubt you're a sailor and I'd add that luck doesn't exist.

panpanchan

More and more, others use them as reminders of loved ones who have passed or touched their lives. To them, the tattoo is a constant reminder of something they never want to forget. (Yes, I realize that sometimes people end up regretting this decision, but alas, this was their decision.)

If you don't want to forget you just don't forget, human skin in no way resembles a hard drive so there is no need to write on it in order to retrieve the data.

panpanchan

About saying that "In no way [are tattoos] art. Calling them art trivialises real art and real artists." I do believe you are mistaken about this. While yes, most tattoos come from a pre-existing design, I think that this akin to having, say, a print of a famous painting. I know many people who, like Pokute, have their own design, or collaborate with the tattoo artist to create a one-of-a-kind design that will only be put onto that client's body. Many newer tattoo artists have had formal artistic training. One has to know important artistic principles to create a well-made tattoo. Principles of design are the most important: Color, Shape, and Space. Let's look at those tattoo artists who particularly are exceptional at creating "portrait tattoos". These people, in my opinion, are some most gifted ARTISTS I have ever seen. They need to be able to look at a picture of a person and recreate that with photorealistic quality. They need to be able to pick out specific lines in a person's face, be able to shade accordinately so that as the tattoo heals, the shading blends together naturally.

I dare you to define art with your own words. I repeat myself, in no way tattoos are art.

It's different for all people. as many people have said, that tatoo is a way of expressing themself, it's different for everyone, if you want to get a tatoo then express yourself, but you shouldn't react in a negative way just because of someone's own expression.

Im not a big fan of tatoos. I dont know to me it just looks weird. I especially hate those tramp stamps (tatoos that girls get on their lower backs). I just dont think that its necessary

Kieselgurg, you do not have to be a sailor or belong to a tribe to use tattoos in the same way that they do. What I think panpan was trying to get across was that tattooing has been around for far longer than it's bad rap, and that most people get tattoos for reasons other than vanity.

Also (and much more importantly), why should they not be considered art? What does a tattoo lack that every form of art must have? Not liking tattoos is not reason enough to argue that they are not art. I hate rap music, but I cannot deny the fact that it is music because of my personal prefrences.

Ironlynx

kieselgurg, you do not have to be a sailor or belong to a tribe to use tattoos in the same way that they do. What I think panpan was trying to get across was that tattooing has been around for far longer than it's bad rap, and that most people get tattoos for reasons other than vanity.

Also (and much more importantly), why should they not be considered art? What does a tattoo lack that every form of art must have? Not liking tattoos is not reason enough to argue that they are not art. I hate rap music, but I cannot deny the fact that it is music because of my personal prefrences.

Well, from panpanchan's post, tribes use them as "identification, decoration, and status signifiers" if we rely on tattoos for identification, this renders our names useless. Decoration, depends on people's sense of aesthetics. "Status signifiers" we don't need that since we know who we are. I don't know how bad rap was draged into this discussion nor how is that meant to be a support for your argument. According to panpanchan's sailors use them for luck, and as I said before luck doesn't exist.

I dare you as well to define art in your own words. The same way liking a tattoo is not a reason for calling it art. Yes, rap is music, but certainly not all music is art either.

Im kind of half and half on tattoos. they can be absolutely amazing or repusive, depending on their size, location, and what they depict. i personally would love to get one done in the near future, i just havent decided exactly what i want quite yet. although, i refuse to get anything done til im positive its what i want and i know its something im going to enjoy for a very long time.

Body art is a delicate thing. Tattoos are something that will be on your body for the rest of your life or leave scars if removed, i'm not a huge fan on unnatural cosmetics and such things so thus the idea of tattoos does not interest me. There are a few decent tattoos around and they are quite damn good, but I would never put them on myself and am not too fond of them on the opposite sex to any amount.

I'm not fond of tatoos myself! I hate them to say the least!
My ex-girlfriend had a tatoo just above her butt and it not bad looking, but she did look better without it and knew I hated the damned things but still got it grrrr.... now she is my ex so can't care anymore :lol:

My point being tatoos are bad!

More and more, others use them as reminders of loved ones who have passed or touched their lives. To them, the tattoo is a constant reminder of something they never want to forget. (Yes, I realize that sometimes people end up regretting this decision, but alas, this was their decision.)

Hey why not take a picture. It can last just as long, and dont make you look trashy.

At my junior college, when I was a student, there was this girl who was in my student government organization for awhile. She's goth, a great dancer, and has some awesome tattoos. Just wanted to share that with you.

For me, I only like to tattoo my face with my school logo when it's homecoming week. And it's with a temporary tattoo. I don't like tattooing any part of my body permanently for a couple of reasons. First, I believe my body does not need to be stripped of its natural beauty and sanctity. Even though I've grown up to have a paunch, entering my first few adulthood years. Secondly, a number of tattoo parlors have dirty needly, and if any of those needles have Hep C or HIV in it, I'm screwed for life.

Thus, temporary tattoos for important school events pass, but permanent ones fail in my book.

Hi!I`m noob , could you say me if anyone knows speak spanish because I am spanish xD and write all the day in english is too dificult thank you
saludos a los españoles si es que hay en el foro

PD: I love tattoos there are greats
sorry for my awfull english ¬¬U

I don't mind tattoos, if a person wants them, then fine get them, they look ok on some guys too XD
I'm thinking about getting a tattoo something small though, but i'm not to sure...I mean once you have it, it's always there, you can t just wish it away..

I too dont mind people wearing tattoos...

Personally i might carry temporary tattoos but i never put any perminant one... coz for several reason;

1. stay there even if after having them you decide you dont want them....

2. process (hurt) to put them on, to remove and put in another one lol = one word "Hurt"

3.who can really guarantee that the needle work on you is sanctities? person working on you is no doctor... and putting it before a flame or alcohol doesnt guarantee anything. (Yah you can sue them for handling badly and you get HIV or Hep... but once you have it... even a billion dollar from sueing will be mute at that point.)

So those are my reason... reasonly sounded...

I really don't care about tattoos some are cool some just plain suck lol
i'm thinking about getting one myself that says "savera" that name enchants me i heard it in a dream so i dunno what my opionion is lol