Homemade Tattoo: Simplification of Body Modification as Search for Authenticity

Mgr. Georgiy Chernyavsky

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Body modification and particularly tattooing practice had been accompanying human life for thousands of years, carrying spiritual and initiative function, being an identity signifier, serving as a manifestation of strive for individuality as well as group belonging. This thesis investigates the genre of homemade tattoo, trying to shed a light on its core ideas at the instrumental side, reveal the meanings hidden behind tattoo designs and tattoo artists’ approaches and attitudes. Homemade tattooing, being an extremely individualistic practice, opens a door into a complex status-symbol underlay of the commonly industrialized practice, bringing back the spiritual strings that had a dominant meaning for the ancient tattoos. Development of the investigated style, as well as the change of the inherent attitudes, is studied within an online medium, which provides a consistent set of data from the topical online spaces. The multidimensional phenomenon of homemade tattoos is presented from the side of both consumers and providers, which gives a full sphere of feelings attached to it. At the more general level, the pattern of the establishment of the counter-movement as an accepted trend is studied.

Abstract:

Body modification and particularly tattooing practice had been accompanying human life for thousands of years, carrying spiritual and initiative function, being an identity signifier, serving as a manifestation of strive for individuality as well as group belonging. This thesis investigates the genre of homemade tattoo, trying to shed a light on its core ideas at the instrumental side, reveal the meanings hidden behind tattoo designs and tattoo artists’ approaches and attitudes. Homemade tattooing, being an extremely individualistic practice, opens a door into a complex status-symbol underlay of the commonly industrialized practice, bringing back the spiritual strings that had a dominant meaning for the ancient tattoos. Development of the investigated style, as well as the change of the inherent attitudes, is studied within an online medium, which provides a consistent set of data from the topical online spaces. The multidimensional phenomenon of homemade tattoos is presented from the side of both consumers and providers, which gives a full sphere of feelings attached to it. At the more general level, the pattern of the establishment of the counter-movement as an accepted trend is studied.

Keywords

tattoo, DIY, authenticity, body, liminality

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 25. 5. 2015

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 16. 6. 2015
• Supervisor: Dr. Werner Binder
• Reader: M.A. Dominik Bartmanski, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Master programme / field:
Sociology / Cultural Sociology (Eng.)