"INDELIBLE MEMORIES"

While reading Carol Delaney's chapter "Our Bodies, Our Selves" in her book Investigating Cultures, I was inspired by her mentioning of a photography exhibit at the Staten Island historical Society called "Indelible Memories: Sept. 11 Memorial Tattoos Photographed by Vinnie Amesse". I have never heard of this exhibit before, but upon conducting further research, it's fascinating! I think it shows an aspect of tattooing that I had not really considered prior to my research. I know that when you suffer the lost of a loved one, or you experience something traumatic, there is a search for way to heal. Healing is complex and intangible, and everyone handles mourning differently. For some, maybe indelibly imprinting themselves makes them feel more whole. I found a New York Times article from April 4, 2003 by Julie Salamon called "Tragedy Pierces the Heart, Memory the Skin". The article explains the project and the stories of the many affected on Staten Island by the September 11th tragedy. The exhibition displayed over 100 photographs of tattoos on the bodies of firefighters and other Staten Island residents who were affected by the tragedies.

Here are some of the photos that I found on this website: http://www.peprallyusa.com/siny.html

George Donnelly with his new patriotic tattoos, inspired by 9/11.

George Henrique, a man who lost his 29-year-old daughter, Michelle, who was killed in the attacks. His tattoo is a picture of his lost daughter.

Francis Coppola, a firefighter who lost his life partner and nineteen friends on September 11th. His tattoos is dedicated to all those he lost.

Through reading the NYT article and looking at the images and their captions, I feel so strongly that these men and women are heros, many are firefighters and all are survivors. They are survivors of losing loved ones and of witnessing an atrocious act committed against our nation. If getting tattoos is a form of healing for them, then who am I to judge? I think this display of loss is remarkable. Alice Gould, a 63-year-old woman got a tattoo in honor of her nephew, and said that, "People stop and ask me about it and I tell the story so I feel I am keeping his spirit alive." I think this is a very interesting way to see tattoos, as a way to keep someone alive.

The ideas behind this exhibit have really opened my mind to why people would get tattoos. This is something that will always be historically remembered and treasured.

1. Tragedy Pierces the Heart, Memory the Skin.

2003 The New York Times.  Julie Salamon. Electronic Document.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/04/arts/tragedy-pierces-the-heart-memory-the-skin.html?pagewanted=all. Accessed 10 April 2009.

2. PepRallyUSA.

2002-3 PepRallyUSA.com. Written by Dana Johnston. Photographs by Vinnie Amessee. Electronic Document.

http://www.peprallyusa.com/siny.html. Accessed 28 April 2009.