Friday, May 1, 2009

NA NA NA NA, HEY HEY HEY, GOODBYE

I have thoroughly enjoyed my research that I have conducted throughout the semester. I have seen the deep relations that my topic has to my anthropology course. One of the biggest things away I have taken away from my research and from this course, is that we cannot judge something unfamiliar to us. If we choose to judge, we will be ignorant to the beliefs of others. As I have read through my classmates' blogs, I have discovered that there are so many ways of life and choices that people make that on first thought, I would judge, but after thorough explanation, I can understand.

My original hesitations towards tattoos were somewhat immature, and after researching all different aspects of the practice, I have truly come to understand the culture. I still would not want to get a tattoo, but I believe I understand the practice enough not to judge the practice, and to have a well-researched opinion. I believe that this cross-cultural investigation has helped me to understand a cultural practice that I didn't before. A lot of information and consideration has changed my views. I think the most valuable part of my research was learning about the September 11th display of photographs of tattoos on firemen and friends and family of victims on Staten Island. This exhibit was a revolutionary display of tattooing as art and as memories. It showed me that tattooing can, ironically, be a form of healing. People deal with hardship in different ways, and tattooing the name, the picture, or a memory of a deceased loved one is possibly very helpful. Not saying that everyone suffering should be tattooed, but I now understand why one might want to. It is a constant memory, a dedication to someone who was once so close. Through my research, I also learned the history of tattooing, and that it has rituals that have lasted through thousands of years. Tattooing is a cultural practice, and although it might not be something I was originally comfortable with or accepting of, it is now something that I understand.

 

SCARIFICATION

After all my research on tattooing, I have stumbled on scarification, something I have never heard of before. Scarification is the cutting or incision in the skin to create scars in a certain pattern. Different tools are used, but scalpels will usually do the job. Some are also whipped with sharp objects to create the wounds. This is an ancient practice which was "the major approach to decorative and symbolic permanent body modification used by dark-skinned peoples on whom tattooing would be ineffective." (Sanders, 8) This practice was originally used by "African tribal groups, scarification is a decorative form primarily intended to indicate one's position in a social structure." (Sanders, 8) Many different cultures have, and do practice scarification. One example is in Papua New Guinea's Sepik region, where they use scarification as an initiation rite  for young men who have reached the age of manhood. The young men are tested on their strength and self-discipline by being sliced with a pointy piece of bamboo. Their culture believes that humans were created by crocodiles, so the scars that result from the scarification are representative of the crocodile that "swallowed" the initiate. On a side note, I remember talking about rites of passages in one of our lectures. We discussed how most cultures have some sort of ritual which make a young man or woman be accepted as an adult. These ritual range from being bar or bat mitzvahed, being forced to gain weight as in some African cultures, or having a Quincenera party. This discussion helps me understand why such a seemingly strange ritual would be used for an initiation rite of passages. These rites are often deeply rooted in history, and therefore might not make much sense to an outsider. The Sepik region is just one of numerous cultures that ritually practice scarification. Other cultures include Australia's Aboriginal culture and Ethiopia's Karo tribe.

Scarification is practiced everywhere, although it is not nearly as popular as tattooing. One interviewee by National Geographic gave a reason behind the practice: ""Tattooing has become hold hat," Hemingson said, "If you want to be on the cutting edge-and want to set yourself apart- you can do tongue splitting or scarification."" (National Geographic). According to National Geographic, scarification in the U.S. began in San Francisco in the mid-1980s as part of a "new body-modification movement". The article says that "it was originally embraced by gay and lesbian subcultures" in San Francisco. In the 1990s, the same practice was embraced by members of a "neotribal, or "modern primitive"" movement. The group wanted to reenact ancient indigenous body modification rituals, in hopes of getting more in touch with the spiritual aspects of their bodies. 

When I first read about scarification, I assumed it was only an ancient practice. I am amazed that it is practiced all over the world, even today. The idea of physically hurting myself in order to create scars is a little horrifying, but I can keep an open mind and consider the fact that these people use it as a way to connect to their culture and the ancient traditions. It is "normal" for them.

1. Sanders, Clinton, and D Angus Vail.
Customizing the Body: The Art of Culture and of Tattooing.
Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2008.

2. Geynup, Sharon. National Geographic Channel. 2004.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/07/0728_040728_tvtabooscars.html
Accessed 15 April 2009. Electronic Document.



WHAT IS ART?

Everyone defines art differently. There are socially accepted definitions of art, culturally accepted ones, and academically accepted ones.

I have learned that tattooing is a form of art. Upon my initial research, I would have been hesitant to consider this possibility. However, there is a fascinating section in the book Customizing the Body: The Art and Culture of Tattooing by Clinton R. Sanders titled, "Conclusion: Tattooing and the Social Definition of Art". Sanders says, "The differentiation between art and non-art is socially constructed and, therefore, subject to significant change over time." (p. 149) The idea that most things are "socially constructed" is something I have picked up from my anthropology course. Before taking this course, I didn't realize how much of what we surround ourselves with is socially constructed. The ethnography Strange Harvest by Lesley Sharp even taught me that death is socially constructed. I had NO idea that people defined death differently. Prior to my reading the ethnography, I thought death was something extremely finite, and medically defined. I was wrong! After reading the ethnography, our class discussed when one is actually dead. Is it when your brain stops working? When your organs shut down? When you lose consciousness? It depends on your own views. Art is like this too. The definition of art is a personal choice, a social construction.

There is a movement to have tattooing accepted as an art form. Some tattoo artists are resisting this movement, but "an examination of the tattoo world can help to identify those factors that impede the incorporation of a cultural production activity into the accepted repertoire of artistry or, on the other hand, increase the likelihood that the practice and product will be socially sanctioned as "real" art." (page 150) There are several reasons that Sanders gives for the desire for a legitimized art form. First of all, tattooing would gain status, and would consequently gain more business and money. Also importantly, "the pressures exerted by agents of social control are reduced or deflected (DiMaggio, 1987, Wolff, 1983)." This concern is especially prevalent to tattooing because there is an incredible social and cultural stigma against tattooing in the United States. If tattooing were to be sanctioned as an art form, maybe some of this resistance would dissolve.

The book that I am basing this post on was published in 1989. Twenty years has past since then and this movement is definitely making some process, as we realize that the people who perform the tattooing are called "tattoo artists".  Since the book is relatively old, the information is not as relevant. I believe our culture has made enormous strides toward including many craft forms as true works of art. Today, tattooing is accepted as an art form. I am in agreement with this. It is something so carefully and meticulously done, and is displayed on a body forever. Tattoos vary by artist and material, and are significant to each person. My research has really been changing my mind on tattooing, and considering it as an art form is a fascinating way to look at the practice.