Petri Aspvik

Robert Ryan send these links. A new short Higgs documentary/video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0mkaUMOgZU" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMrG_lF1OxY"

Well you picked an amazing shop for your first tattoo :) What did you get and what are you planning on getting next? And welcome

Who was your Higgs "substitute" at that time?

Shawn, did you get tattooed by Higgs?

I think it cames down to can a group of people copyright (for lack of a better word) a meaning of a symbol? Or should we automatically asume that if we as westeners use a symbol/design that means something (animal, plant, god, idea) to some people - and has meant it for hundreds, maybe thousands of years- that the people who have first gotten it tattooed would be offended? Maybe they would be happy. Or couldn't care? I used to think that same aspect but I think it is a very westener type deal, how we are always concerned that if we use something differently than other people, then we would insult them. But I think it can also be a cool thing for them. Or not. Hard to say. If there is a something in these tattoo designs that resonates, or as you said Then it could very well be that they who have gotten blackwork/tirbal tattoos longer than america or finland has been around, might see it as this also. They also could find it something that brings US closer to them. And not just them to us. So I think the responsibilites depend on the wearer. They should know that in some cases they might hurt some guy in New Zealand if they get a stylised moko tattooed. But also the people who want to raise concern about that the New Zealander might get hurt, should also consider the fact that they might think it is cool to them.

The Know Work is done by Norm.

What documentary?!

I have always dreamed that someone would do stuff like this. And now that it is happening it feels... normal. But I love it! HENRY ROLLINS KILL

Good question Sarah. I tried to think about it but I think all the artists work that I am familiar with it are well over 30 and 40.

I have to add (relating to the bad/good tattoos) that of course it is easier for me, a customer, to take such a lofty stance when compared to you tattoo artists, who have to do (and WANT to do) good tattoos. It is different and I understand it :)

Fuck! I wrote a long ass reply then pushed the wrong button! Well. It depends on the person. I see us humans as primal beings, so I can associate any tattoo style to something "deeper". But it is the most prominent when we are dealing with blackwork. I think it maybe in someways makes us look more inward as you also pointed. Because the desings themself are in a way closer to us, as a philosophical thing where you can create the meaning based on your own self and also as a physical thing, where the image it self is about enhancing the bodys curviture. It uses the body maybe more than other styles where the image itself conveys something (ship, monkey, crack addict). They have a set visual meaning. Like words. Car, tattoo of a car. When blackwork can work -maybe even more than other styles- with the human figure and do just that with out having a set image. But of course blackwork/trbal tattoos HAVE meanings, but as I said, it can be easier to make the tattoo alive yourself than get a image that is alive allready. So, it depends. Relating to this. To me, even a bad tattoo is a good one if the person likes it. That is why I rarely take part in discussions about visualy or techinically bad tattoos. Because there is the person behind the tattoo. I try to look past the image and see the whole spectrum. Of course a bad tattoo is a bad tattoo. I just try not be snobish in a way. Tattooing is about more than just the images. Is about the people wearing them.

Great reply Patrick! About the "borrowing". It's funny. For me it is also about the fact that the designs are so simplistic that I am actually more able to be myself (this is in thinking and in thought) when the design just IS. I don't have to think about the deeper connection (like the Rory and Leo backpieces represent whales tale and that has a meaning. If I remember correctly) because it just enhances my body. It's the same reason I want to get the Ensō circle tattooed on me, because it represents nothing but the moment. Breathing in, breathing out. And here is the kicker. At the same time I sort of CREATE my own deep tribal desing, or what ever you want to call it. I give the tattooing life. As did all the old tribes and such. Modern Primitives

OK. Due to the Jonathan Shaw topic (here) I thought I will get some conversation going on about blackwork. I will just call everything that has spawned from Tribal style work blackwork. My favorites are Jun Matsui (3 pic), Thomas Hopeer (4 pic) and the likes. Too many to name. Marisa Kakoulas has a great info piece in the article relating to her book Black Tattoo Art: Modern Expressions of the Tribal. I will quote it here. Needles and Sins Tattoo Blog | Black Tattoo Art Book Release I really love the part where mister Raven said And I think that is what really draws me to this style aswell. How a great black work backpiece for example makes the human seem like something else. A myth perhaps. Some type of otherworldly hero. And it doesn't just have to link the wearer to something old. Like for example the Leo Zulueta backpiece (1 pic, Rory is the one in the right) on Rory Keating conveys a feeling similar to Queequeg from Moby Dick (Queequeg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) when for example the one by Volker (2 pic) is a futuristic anti goverment operative who bears the mark of the resistance. It's his armor of choise. But both have a strong romantic feel to them. The chosen ones. It fits (when done right) the wearer perfectly. Perhaps better than any other style of tattooing. Do you agree or disagree? edit. The title should be Blackwork, not black work

OK. Thanks for the input Deb! :) And Donn, Hawk and others

Interesting. Do you guys not like his work because what kinda guy he is or doesnt it just work? I dont know anything about his personality, but his abstract work looks great to me.

I was re-introduced to him via this blog post by Tomas Tomas. Fucking amazing stuff! Any more pics or stories, I would love to hear them!! Remember this? Jonathan Shaw (NY.2000?) « Tomastomas108's Blog Love the backpiece! http://www.scabvendor.com/wp-content/gallery/TATS/13.jpg

When I was younger (like 23) I was thinking of getting a index finger tattoo of Beavis and Butt-Head. Bodies would go down near the thumb and the neck would be in the crease of the index finger, so when I would wiggle it, they would mosh! Fuck me, that is STILL a good idea :D Of course Butt-Head would have be sideways also

Why not White Light... Or Sex, Love and Rock 'n' roll? I think Somewhere lacks the push, its to me too tamed. Althou has amazing songs.

Only the best. And these are all albums I have listened in the last 2-3 years, so Im not going to think that what I loved 5 years ago if I havent listened to it... And all are actual albums I own, no MP3, burned cds etc. Modern Life Is War - Witness (2005) Timeless and mature HC album Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska (1982), Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978), Born to Run (1975), Devils and Dust (2005), Born in the U.S.A (1984) (total 6 albums) All of these albums are filled with perfect songs and Bruce is the best writer in all of Rock and Roll. Spanish Bombs - S/T (EP, can't remember, maybe like 2007?) Somewhere between Bruce and M.L.I.W. When it comes to the aura these 6 songs have more life in them than most full albums. Tool - 10,000 Days (2007) The most personal and touching album Maynard has made Slayer - Reign in Blood (1986) Fucking SLAAAAAYYYYEEEER! Dead Can Dance - Spritchaser (1996) Amongst rationalism you need... Honorary mentions Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966) Down - Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow (2002) Fantômas - The Director's Cut (2001) Social Distortion - White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996) Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll (2004) Most likely I am forgetting something but thats life...

Great Timmy piece!

Been super fucking busy and I should have a quest blog coming up soon (I hope). Guess I should write something myself also. But fuck, I dont have anything to say right about now :P

I should have checked back to this topic because I forgot the Valentines day. Good thing (or not) that I dont have a girlfriend now...

Fuck yeah :D Captivating shit, man.

What ever Chad Koeplinger does next

Welcome Iwar :)