Monday:
Lecture: Artist Tattoos
Assignment: Artist Tattoos
ASSIGNMENT: Make an Artist Tattoo
RECOMMENDED MEDIA: Tattoo transfer, drawing for the body, performance, video
Due: See schedule for details
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Human beings have been tattooing themselves for thousands of years. For religious and spiritual reasons, for beautification, remembrance, for rites of passage, for sex, as expressions of identity and belonging; of protest, of love and sometimes – of possession and hate.
Artists have explored many of these ideas in artist-tattoo projects, utilizing self-conscious, and conceptual strategies in designing and applying tattoos. The resulting works are sometimes surprising, provocative or difficult, funny, or emotionally moving.
Students will create a tattoo piece. You can use the transfer paper or other print and drawing techniques to make one, or multiple tattoos. You can also consider ways to present your work – on a body, in a performance, or in a video. Finish your tattoo somehow – to present to the class and on the blog as a finished artwork.
**** While your work may be a proposal and sample of a permanent tattoo, I would recommend you do NOT apply a real permanent tattoo/mark on yourself or others to complete this assignment. After critiques you are free to do what you like with your own body – but for class, you will not make a permanent body alteration, please.
Consider artist tattoos by:
Jana Sterbak
Douglas Gordon
Catherine Opie
John Murchie
Shannon Gerard
Artur Zmijewski
Michelle Lacombe
David Shrigley
Jordan Bennett
Santiago Sierra
Alethea Arnaquq-Baril
Students will document finished works for addition to the blog. Include a title, a short description and one to two images or video of your work.
Works must be posted on the blog ONE WEEK after final class – with a title and description to receive a final grade.
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Prep for in class exercise on Wednesday – SHOW US YOUR TATTOOS
DEMO for printing on Tattoo paper and demo assignment – with a partner, make a tattoo based on the work of MICAH LEXIER that involves more than one body to complete. Make and document in class!
WEDNESDAY:
Watch and discuss the documentary: Tuunnit: Retracing the Lines of Inuit Tattoos
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Discuss ideas for tattoos
Work time and printing in studio
Review work time next week, and plan tattoo party!