art ..

not sure if this is the right place to post this but here goess..

im doing a art project on personal landscapes and i chose the human body from this im doing research into the way we use our bodies as an 'art form'. im looking into the reasons we get  things such as tattoos, types of pircings, alter our body size ect  the reasons we make ourselves look a certain way weather to be individal, to stand out, be ourselves, to fit into a group, religion ect.any feedback would be helpful. sorry if its not ver clear what im asking for. not the best person for explaing :(

Carney?

I think a lot of people alter their appearance in order to feel that they are more attractive to potential future partners.  All of the things you mention are ways to do this.

(I felt I owed you a real answer.)

Some people do piercings, tattoos, etc. to rebel. Some do these things to stand out and get attention.

For the same reason we do everything. To get chicks.

Original Post by floggingsully:

For the same reason we do everything. To get chicks.

 Or get hot dudes.

It's like this.  If I look in the mirror and what I see on a scale of 1 to 10 is a 5 then the most I can hope for in a mate is another 5 or maybe a 6 with self worth issues.  If I'm happy being with other 5s then I don't need to change anything.  But if I find that the people I'm most attracted to are 7s or 8s then I'm going to have to do something to raise my level of attractiveness.  It could be to lose a few pounds or to change my style of dress or hair.  And this would include accessorizing like tattoos or piercings. 

The problem is once I have upped myself to a 7 then I find I'm no longer satisfied by other 7s.  I want to be with 8s or 9s, in fact 10s might not be out of my reach.  For guys though the best way to get to that higher tier is not through looks but through improving your economic status and then displaying your wealth buy driving expensive cars and such.

I think that for some people, low self-esteem plays a role.

To be honest, for me, the change of body size is mostly so other people will see me as more attractive.

But my piercings (nothing too hardocre: 3 in each lobe, an industrial, and I want to get my belly button once it's flat enough :P) are because I like them and how they make me feel. If I ever get a tattoo (and I think I do want to get something small), it'll be for the same reasons. 

Anything I do to my body has one root reason (for me, individually): expression. Anything I do to my hair, the way I apply my makeup, the piercings, the tattoos, the clothes I wear and how I wear them. All of these are ways of expression. As far as tattoos are concerned, my skin is a canvas just waiting for more ink.

I feel that socially, morally, and culturally our world is turning grey and I refuse to be anything but a unique individual.

I got my big brother's name tattooed on the inside of my wrist after he died in a motorcycle accident three years ago. I did it because I see it constantly and it reminds me that he's still here to hold my hand when I need him.

When I get something pierced, it's to draw attention to me. I got my nose pierced because I thought it would look really cute and make others notice me more. It wasn't due to low self-esteem, but rather to boost it a little bit because it made me feel cute and a little bit edgy.

My ears are a different story. When I was young, I wanted my ears pierced because I thought it was a very grown-up thing to do. My mom had a rule that I couldn't get it done until I was 13 because she also thought it made me too grown up. She finally caved when I was 7 and I felt like I was the coolest girl on earth. :)

vandelay?

***

It's like adding a little bit to the picture; like putting a picture in a frame. But not exactly.. It's garnish. It's just a little extra decoration to POP. I can't explain it better than that, because my brain is on hiatus.

I want a tattoo. I have ear piercings (5 in one ear, 2 in the other). I want a belly ring too.

I'm actually trying to downsize because I wish to go unnoticed. Am tired of the assumptions people make about me because of how I look. Vain perhaps, but there it is.

I have two tattoos. Neither one are easily seen. I got them for myself. One I got with my husband for our wedding. They are matching, but we made sure that they symbolized something that would still be true even if we were to break up. The other one is Japanese cherry blossoms to represent the transience of life, a concept that ties in very deeply with the fundamental teachings of Buddhism that states all life is suffering and transitory. It reminds me to not get too attached to a particular outcome or not become emotional because it will all pass in time.

So, I don't think all people necessarily get them to draw attention to themselves or to make themselves more attractive. Having a meaningful tattoo is much the same as wering a sentimental peice of jewelry or a wedding ring etc. It is a constant reminder of something, and that something is based on the individual donning it. Not saying all tattoos are this way, it is hard to believe a butterfly on someone's a** has any meaning behind it, but for me, tattoos are a beautiful way to build a constant reminder.

I got a belly button piercing when I was 15 because it was the cool thing to do at the time.  I took it out when I was 20 because I was pregnant.

My tongue was pierced once when I was 17 and then again at 25.  The first time I got it done, I wanted it done and it wasn't a cool thing to do yet.  It made me feel cooler but it wasn't something anyone noticed.  My mom didn't even catch on until I was older than 18 and she was not happy.  When I was 25 I still had the first one, but went w/ a friend to have hers done.  I was getting a tattoo touch-up.  The friend chickened out and said she would only do it again if I got mine done.  I asked if it was possible to do it twice and after showing him where the first one was, the piercer said it was doable.  So it was done.  I took them both out the day after my 30th birthday.

Tattoo--The only one I have is a yellow rose.  My grandma and I had the same birthday.  We got each other one every year on our b-day because it was the only flower we both liked.  When she found out she was dying, she asked me to remember her every time I saw a yellow rose.  When I moved out of state I could no longer take a rose to her grave on our b-day.  I got a tattoo of one on my back/shoulder instead.  Something I will never regret.  I've added things to it a few times and had some touch-ups done.

I've had my ears pierced but I don't like earrings so it never lasts.  I think the most I've ever had is 3 in each ear.  Maybe four.

Most of the things I do are for convenience.  I wear my hair in a ponytail, because it is convenient.  I wear clothes that allow me to move during my day taking care of my kids.  I don't wear earrings, even though my ears are pierced, because they are inconvenient - they take time to put in, and they catch on things.

My size, too, is mostly convenience.  Not huffing and puffing bringing groceries up the stairs.  Being able to "scooch" between a chair and a wall.  Keeping up with my kids.

Yes, I like to look like I "care" about my appearance.  I like to look like I am not poverty-stricken.  But, mostly, I want it to be convenient.

Original Post by caiteliz014:

I have two tattoos. Neither one are easily seen. I got them for myself. One I got with my husband for our wedding. They are matching, but we made sure that they symbolized something that would still be true even if we were to break up. The other one is Japanese cherry blossoms to represent the transience of life, a concept that ties in very deeply with the fundamental teachings of Buddhism that states all life is suffering and transitory. It reminds me to not get too attached to a particular outcome or not become emotional because it will all pass in time.

 

So, I don't think all people necessarily get them to draw attention to themselves or to make themselves more attractive. Having a meaningful tattoo is much the same as wering a sentimental peice of jewelry or a wedding ring etc. It is a constant reminder of something, and that something is based on the individual donning it. Not saying all tattoos are this way, it is hard to believe a butterfly on someone's a** has any meaning behind it, but for me, tattoos are a beautiful way to build a constant reminder.

My husband and I considered wedding ring tattoos.  I can't wear a ring because it causes the skin on my hands to crack.  He can't wear one because of his job.  I have only worn my wedding ring a handful of times in the last 7 years.  He wears his on a necklace that he can tuck in his shirt at work.

Aesthetic appeal.  Both to oneself and to what one perceives is appealing to others.

Edit: Not saying this is the only reason.  Just a reason.

Original Post by augustnkate:

Original Post by caiteliz014:

I have two tattoos. Neither one are easily seen. I got them for myself. One I got with my husband for our wedding. They are matching, but we made sure that they symbolized something that would still be true even if we were to break up. The other one is Japanese cherry blossoms to represent the transience of life, a concept that ties in very deeply with the fundamental teachings of Buddhism that states all life is suffering and transitory. It reminds me to not get too attached to a particular outcome or not become emotional because it will all pass in time.

 

So, I don't think all people necessarily get them to draw attention to themselves or to make themselves more attractive. Having a meaningful tattoo is much the same as wering a sentimental peice of jewelry or a wedding ring etc. It is a constant reminder of something, and that something is based on the individual donning it. Not saying all tattoos are this way, it is hard to believe a butterfly on someone's a** has any meaning behind it, but for me, tattoos are a beautiful way to build a constant reminder.

My husband and I considered wedding ring tattoos.  I can't wear a ring because it causes the skin on my hands to crack.  He can't wear one because of his job.  I have only worn my wedding ring a handful of times in the last 7 years.  He wears his on a necklace that he can tuck in his shirt at work.

 Go for it. We had ours done when we were on our honeymoon. We can't wear our bands at work and I guess it's just the kind of people we are. We like tattoos, I would really prefer not to brand myself with someone's name. Our bands are similar, but not identical. They both have an infinity symbol incorporated, but mine is slightly more delicate looking than his.

Original Post by moonikins:

Some people do piercings, tattoos, etc. to rebel. Some do these things to stand out and get attention.

 

I got each of my tattoos because they represented something that was personally important to me. A lot of people have then for that type of reason too.

Also because I think nicely done tattoos look beautiful on the skin.

just like to say a big thank you to everyone that answered back to my post :) there all really helpful. some i hadn't even thought about. thanks again :)