9780789202338

Tattoos are everywhere-especially where they are least expected. Once the specialty of bikers and sailors, they now are frequently spotted in art galleries, fashion shows, and even corporate boardrooms. "Mom-in-a-heart" has been replaced by striking monochromatic patterns; intricate reproductions of famous artworks; elaborate mythical beasts and deities; and the oddly unclassifiable (the innards of a video camera, a monolithic black wedge). This sophisticated look at the latest high-style skin decorations, created by the most creative contemporary tattoo artists, is divided into five chapters: Tribal; Paintings, Prints, and Portraits; Imagination and Fantasy; Neotraditional; and All the Rest. A lively introduction provides a cogent history of tattooing through the ages, making clear that the compulsion to personalize the body has characterized humanity throughout recorded history. Concluding the introduction is an informative evaluation of how the tattoo scene has changed since the "tattoo renaissance" that began in the 1960s and has culminated in today's heady mix of inventive old masters and young artschool-trained hotshots. An invaluable appendix gives answers to the questions anyone should ask before getting a tattoo, including: How Is a Tattoo Made? Is It Safe? How Do I Find the Right Tattoo Artist? How Do I Pick the Right Design? How Much Will It Cost? How Long Does It Take? What Maintenance Does a Tattoo Require? Can 1 Get Rid of It?