The Field Museum of Natural History, that’s where!
1400 S. Lake Shore Drive
Now through April 30th exhibition, Tattoo explores many aspects of the practice of tattooing including cultural influence, the tools used, the history of tattooing, and live tattoo demonstrations.
I visited this show over a week ago and what continues to come to mind is the characteristic of tattooing that identifies a person regardless of whether it is received by choice or not. These characteristics then exemplify a dichotomy of extreme intention, representation, and meaning.
Auschwitz survivor, Dr. George Brent
Photographer: John Weinstein Wilmette
Auschwitz survivor Livia Ravek’s grandson Daniel Philosoph proudly displays his grandmother’s identifying number as homage to her.
Photographer: Uriel Sinai
A practice of the Ottoman government, during the Armenian genocide, was to force women into slavery and prostitution and then identify them as such by tattooing their faces and chest.
Photographer: unknown
Photographer: Marc Garanger
Famous Phillippine master tattoo artist Fang-Od Odday practices and trains the art of Kalina tattooing. For women, the marks are signs of beauty along with the belief that the adornment will carry over into the afterlife.
Photographer: Jake Verzosa
A woman from the Chinese Drung culture with marks that identify rights of passage among her tribe.
Photographer: Michael Laukien
Yakuzas or Japanese mafia identify themselves traditionally by full body tattoos.
Photographer: Irina Ionesco
Salvadorian gang member’s marks convey symbols of gang loyalty and defiance to authority.
Photographer: Isabel Munos
Photographer: Isabel Munos
A late 19th/early 20th century sideshow featuring a prisoner being tattooed by natives.
Photographer: unknown
Mid 20th century trunk and suitcase of a traveling tattoo artist.
Last, I want to show some work of contemporary artist.
Artist: Guy le Tatooer
Photographer: Zoe Forget
Artist: Yann Black
Photographer: Zoe Forget
Artist: Musa
Photographer: Zoe Forget
Artist: Kostek
Photographer: Zoe Forget
A really interesting exhibit and keep in mind only a fraction of it is shown here.
Alright! Betty and I are off on our next adventure and considering Thanksgiving is around the corner, and I’m super thankful for this project, the next entry will reflect gratefulness!
Remember fellow explorers, art and artistic expression is everywhere. Look for it. Document it. Then please, post it here and SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
My Bike Betty 