Are Tattoos Becoming Cliché? My Take on Body Art Popularity
Friday, November 6, 2009 at 9:19AM Today's tattoo topic originates from a question asked by Jenna:
Q) Hi Jinxi, I have started making plans to get my first tattoo and am really excited about it. My sister is opposed to my decision because she thinks that so many people have tattoos now that they have become cliché. What are your feelings about this? - Jenna
A) Thanks for the great question, Jenna. A few weeks ago, I wrote about getting tattooed when your loved ones disapprove, so you might want to read this post at some point too; but that aside, I will address the cliché topic here.
As with all things, I know that different people will have different viewpoints on this topic, but here goes mine. It is true that tattoos are becoming more widespread, more (dare we say) "normal," and more visible. The number of tattoo collectors continues to rise each year. Does that mean that they are becoming cliché? Does it mean that they lose their "special" factor just because more of those among us wear them? I don't think it does.
I look at the increase in the amount of skin being inked as a positive thing and I don't feel like it takes away from my collection, or the reasons that I get tattooed, in the slightest. I get tattooed for me. I love adorning my skin with artwork. I love the whole process that it entails. I love the permanent reminder that each piece carries with me. If others around me are doing the same thing, then I see that as a good thing.
Maybe some people get tattoos as a fashion accessory. Maybe some get them as a tribute to someone or something that meant a lot to them. Maybe some people get them just to garner the tattoo experience. I don't see why it really matters. As long as each collector is thoughtful about the process, takes safety into consideration, is prepared to always wear their artwork, and feels ready to enter the "World of The Inked," who are we to tell them that it is trite?
I once heard someone say that, "Once something becomes cool, it becomes ubiquitous, which kills the cool." I guess that can be true in many facets of pop culture, but I just don't see it that way in regards to tattoos. Making the commitment of wearing ink is not like buying a purse that is hot now, but will be old-hat before you know it. It's not like getting your hair cut a certain style, that will soon enough seem passé; it's a permanent measure and not a fad. For this reason, I tend to be really big on reminding people to take their time before leaping in. Do research, be educated, and trust your inner self.
When I see the way that my kids and many of their friends view tattoos nowadays, without the prejudice that some generations carry, I view that as a positive step in the right direction. I hope when their generation is my age that tattoos are commonplace enough that they can be visible in more career settings and appreciated more for their beauty, than vilified because they are misunderstood. I know this will take time, but I see that day becoming more and more plausible. So the fact that more people are inked in today's world, just means that we are inching closer to this possibility.
I guess the concept of "cliché-ness" is all in the eye of the beholder. I've always been one to just go with what I like, no matter what others around me think. If I dig a band when they are obscure and unknown, then I still dig them if they make it big (though it is a bummer when concert ticket prices go up). If my style is out of whack with the fashion magazines (which it usually is), then come what may; I'm wearing what I like. If my hairstyle is outdated (oh, wait, that example won't work) ...
My point is, get tattooed for the right reasons. Do it for you and none of the notions that others might have will matter.
Happy Inkin'!
This post (and MANY other tattoo-related topics) can be found in the Tattoo Corner for easy future reference.
Reader Comments (21)
My older sister hated my tattoo's..i used to get quite ignorant lectures off her..i ignored them,after all it's your own body..She now wants a tattoo herself..so there you go..
I think if you pick something that you've thought about and is your own design then you'll always be 'original' in your own right..
In the words of Katharine Hepburn, "If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased." And in the words of Dr. Seuss, "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." I'm sure someone is ALWAYS going to disappove of those of us with ink, but at the end of the day, it's your body, right? Ink away, I say! :-)
(I found it ironic when I just got my first tattoo that my fairly-liberal mother hated it with a passion and my NRA/Army/conservative father thought it was cool. C'est la vie!)
I really have nothing to add to what you had to say, Jinxi, for all said was true - tattoos are such a ...unique thing that no two are alike, even if done by the same person and even when they are the same design. a tattoo is not just a picture you get to wear - i like to think of it as a photograph of a certain time and mood i was in and people that surrounded me and all emotions i felt, it's like i caught that moment and froze it in time and can look at it whenever because it is ON me, you know? so whatever you get... and whatever people think of it - this is something that will always be with you and you can never lose! how many people get to feel this? not a whole lot, i tell you. how many times have you said "Oh i wish i could stay in this moment forever!" - well, this is your chance... this is just my two cents.
As an artist, I believe that tattoos are only a cliche for the small minded people who let them be...Tattoos are a beautiful form of self expression and should be respected and admired. Open your minds and hearts and see us for the people we are...The exact same people we were before we got tattooed!!! Would you be even less of a person if you got tattooed? NO!!!!!!!!!
I see the body as a canvas. And if more people have them, people will be less likely to look down upon them (as well as employers.) At least I hope...I love my body art and don't like having to cover it up.
two thumbs up to your response! I totally agree with u Jinxi!! U rock!!!
Excellent response Jinxi. Regardless of others opinions I get my tattoos for me.
I agree with Jinxi and all of the comments. I do it for myself and don't give a poo about what others think. Instead of saying they are a cliche, I would say they are becoming less taboo than just a few years ago. Which I think is a good thing.
Crazy, a blog where everyone, so far, agrees!!! Where are the conservative haters? Did we run them off your site Jinxi?? It's a great time to be in Jinxi Land!!!
Hi my lovely Jinxi, great post because I think this is in the back of the minds of anybody who is tattooed meaningfully and have been for a very long time. I personally think it's funny when tattoos are considered only as a status of cool. But I feel that way about anything that is considered "cool." Cool is so fleeting and ridiculous. But thoughtful art and personal interests are rock solid. (I love that Katherine Hepburn quote AKM!) I'm sure there are plenty of people, especially recently, who get tattooed to fit in or to be cool; you can see it in the work they get, that it wasn't personal for them. I find that genuinely sad BUT I figure that once they evolve more into who they really are, that meaningless tattoo will actually become a reminder of their old self and their new progression. So, see? Still meaningful.
I received my first tattoo in January 1987 from a shop in Harker Heights, TX, I was just 23 years old. I did no research and got a tiger on my left shoulder, the shop was clean, however the artist wasn't that great & didn't really know what she was doing. I had to hide that tattoo from my mother who often said to me that should I get a tattoo, to not bother coming home as she did not want a criminal living in her house. Like her political beliefs, I had to go against her wishes, but knowing that I had defied her and she didn't know about it, excited me. She Died without ever knowing that I had ink! I waited another 14 years, Before attending "Marked For Life 2000", and had my Right arm Tattooed with a Maple Leaf in honor of my paternal heritage being Canadian. At "MFL" I met Pauline Zahaline(SP) and she drew a maple leaf for me and inked it! It was such a liberating experience to know that I could now have visible ink. I attended the the next to years before being transferred to Korea, When I attended the 2001 "MFL" I met Erica Stanley, and I have been collecting ever since. My ink experiences have all been good, and as I have been tattooed by some of the greatest inkers that I know of, I have had only positive comments and even talked my friends mother into getting inked, she'll go under the gun sometime in early 2010. I would give someone this advise if you have second thoughts about the artwork, the artist or how it could impact your carreer path, I would suggest that you should not get it, unless you can cover it at work.
i totally agree with you girl except though that there are alot of people who get tattoo just because thier friends have them they see the hows on t.v. etc. Now as a artist myself i can truthfully say that there are some aspects of tattooing that are becoming cliche'.likie the sayings that everyone seems so hell bent on getting these days imean someone who has never been tattooed before in their life comes in to the shop and gets,lets say for instance,in ink i dream (this is something i really did tattoo on a newbie,even after trying to talk her out of it for like hours lol) she had never had a tattoo beore and i asked her why she was getting it. she said that she saw it on someone and just thought i was cool .now i think that is classified as cliche'?or ami worng about that? im not trying to knock what people are getting tattooed,if they didnt get what they wanted my family wouldnt eat plain and simple, but it just seems that so much of the originality and individuality of tattoos is becoming non existent.i bet you that 6 out of every 1ocustomers that walk into my studio ask me to tattoo stars on them.Sorry but i hae to say i CLICHE' love your ink jinx envius of your nikko stuff im going down this summer to get him to do a living dead sleeve .so i have spewed enough. sorry if i offended anyone,not my intention,just get creative think for yourselves "and FOR CHRISSAKES QUIT THE STAR TATTOOS"lol
always fantastic topics Jinxi, tattoos cliche' never!!! someones mindset maybe but not the art. mozart, picasso, rembrandt, beethoven,monet... could we ever calls these artists cliche' nope don't think so...so how could we ever call the work of nikko, devries, demasi, miller, tyrrell, woods, and so many many others cliche'...their art is amazing and awe inspiring. i might not ever be able to own the mona lisa but i could have her inked on my body and look just as stunning as the original, could that be cliche' nope sure can't. i can't take a fancy car, big house, a louis vuitton bag or other useless crap that comes and goes w/ the whim of tv or magazines when i leave this world but my art is something that is always a part of me and will never go out of style and mine right til the very end.
I think that they might be I work in a shop and so many people come in wanting one. When asked, "What do you want?" "I don't know, I just want one." Like it's a pair of pants.
Dude, I work at a dollar tree and the company really sucks when it comes to tattoos and piercings. I have some Nick Blinko art on my right arm that my boss told me I have to keep covered up. Well since she left our store and and we've been kinda without a boss lately I've been letting it show. You would not believe the coments I get on it. Its a leafless tree with skulls hanging off of it. Its quite morbid, but old ladies and christians comment it. What I'm trying to say is its nice that society is finally opening up to it.
I was so impressed and glad to see your success . Your determination and desire is very inspiring and I wish you all the continued success that you can handle. God Bless!
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The popularity of the tatoos are really increasing day by day. People are taking the tatoos on their body parts. The tatoo is looking great on you. From where you have painted this tatoo from.
Great tattoos look great, not so great tattoos... well, you know. Design and style are a personal decision but be sure you go to a tattoo artist who is great at applying the style you are looking for. Take the time to research your artists. And now a short plug for the tattoo artists out there: Tattoo Ink
Hi Jinxi....I'm kind of an unusual tattoo afficionado...64 years old, retired from the FDNY.
Freethinker, like you...Just last winter...late winter...I decided to shave my head, I was nearly bald anyway...Then...contemplating my plain, bald head, I decided to get a tattoo to liven it up...A monarch butterfly seemed appropriate...Now...7-8 months and 4 more tattoos later..It's starting to get a little crowded up there....I am a fan of Cyn here on myspace, and you are a friend of hers...I find your visage stunning...and your wonderful, uplifting attitude is refreshing....You are obviously a joy to those around you...You are to me smooches dragonfly
I believe that your advice ..."Think Before You Ink!"... is about the best that can be given.
While tattoos have become much much more common, I wouldn't dare call them cliche.
Their permanence and deep meaning to many of those who get them would preclude me from ever using that term.
I do feel that tattoos becoming more common is beneficial in the sense that it results in a wider general acceptance of them, and those who have them. However, I also feel that having them viewed as being something common and mundane is a bit of a disservice to the people I have known who put so much time and thought into choosing their tattoos. All too often, other people look at their ink in the same way they would that of someone who just walks into a tattoo shop and, like in Transparent Crayons scenario, says to the artist "I don't know what I want, I just want one."
~Shay
Ya it's become so popular in new generation. But i felt it's too bad for skin and health also.I knew many of my friends infected from it.some type of chemical are not suitable for body.