Saturday, August 30, 2003
People such as Marilyn Manson and Leigh Bowery are splendid at changing their bodies. The body becomes a work of art, a text, so to speak, that is read and interpreted and helps the viewer form an opinion on the soul of the owner. Manson especially manages question set but unsaid rules in society through his gender-bending masks and costumes.
On a smaller and even less subtle scale comes tattoos and piercings and branding. From Beckham's love letters to his family to even the smallest rose perched on a buttock - people want to make statements and be noticed and, most importantly to be seen as originals, one-of-a-kinds. Writing on their bodies means that the statement can be carried with them wherever they go, and that it truly has become part of themselves. In the case of tattoos and branding there is furthermore the added intensity of being unable to remove said item and it is therefore for life.
I have a tattoo, on my lover back, in the shape of some tribal mark. Originally, it was meant exactly like this; something that would make me stand out from a crowd - not necessarily in the eyes of the crowd, but in the eyes of me. Now it is just there, part of me, part of what I (think I) am.
That said, often non-self-inflicted diversions from the norm are much more interesting. A crooked nose, a lazy eye, a bendy finger - these traits are truly part of you and much more charming than a pierced upper lip.
In Dangerous Liaisons, Valmont writes a letter to one woman, using another as writing desk. In this instance, words are, in a heightened state, used to woo an innocent, 'pure' woman, while the flesh takes a subordinate position. Words are passive, flesh is active. The ideal state would be a combination of the two.
On a smaller and even less subtle scale comes tattoos and piercings and branding. From Beckham's love letters to his family to even the smallest rose perched on a buttock - people want to make statements and be noticed and, most importantly to be seen as originals, one-of-a-kinds. Writing on their bodies means that the statement can be carried with them wherever they go, and that it truly has become part of themselves. In the case of tattoos and branding there is furthermore the added intensity of being unable to remove said item and it is therefore for life.
I have a tattoo, on my lover back, in the shape of some tribal mark. Originally, it was meant exactly like this; something that would make me stand out from a crowd - not necessarily in the eyes of the crowd, but in the eyes of me. Now it is just there, part of me, part of what I (think I) am.
That said, often non-self-inflicted diversions from the norm are much more interesting. A crooked nose, a lazy eye, a bendy finger - these traits are truly part of you and much more charming than a pierced upper lip.
In Dangerous Liaisons, Valmont writes a letter to one woman, using another as writing desk. In this instance, words are, in a heightened state, used to woo an innocent, 'pure' woman, while the flesh takes a subordinate position. Words are passive, flesh is active. The ideal state would be a combination of the two.
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