On the opening day of Tattoo, I walk inside Forum. The exhibition in Groningen is the latest edition of a travelling exhibition that began ten years ago at Paris' Musée du quai Branly - and has since attracted more than three million visitors. All around me I see people with at least one tattoo. It is almost as if they have been selected for it.
Proud of funnel cup
Henk Schiffmacher, tattoo icon and one of the main loaners, is busy putting the finishing touches to the exhibition just before the opening. We walk past the sleeve which he designed especially for this exhibition. It was inspired by the Drenthe hunebed builders, the Funnel Beaker culture. The design originated from the signs on the outside of an urn. According to him, the fascinating symbols told something about the person in the urn. It is a popular design, as Schiffmacher says he has already received several requests for the tattoo.
That interest is understandable; the design refers to a period in Dutch history that people can still be proud of - derive identity from - and that "is not tainted like the 'Golden Age'." However, he does hope for a different outcome than with the Scandinavian Viking tattoo(s). That there is a chance of certain groups taking it up, unfortunately, cannot be avoided.
Silicone heritage and baby oil
An enormous silicone leg. Lifelike and based on a French donor. The first limb Schiffmacher has tattooed. My attention is caught by the beautifully detailed image of Jesus on the back. Schiffmacher has always fought to preserve tattoos. People once came to an agreement - after the public discussion about displaying human remains - to preserve tattoos on silicone limbs. "The same material from which dildos are also made," he says.
Schiffmacher says he was somewhat intimidated when that colossal leg emerged from a wooden box boarded shut with nails. Besides, working with the material for the first time was not easy. How do you make a tattoo stand out beautifully? That required a different technique. Communicating with fellow tattooists, he found out that to prevent black marks, baby oil works better than traditional petroleum jelly. How do you like working with silicone? It works as pleasantly as on real skin. "When I was almost done with this leg, I was already getting inspiration for a new design," he says.
Underestimated impact
The history and various cultural differences regarding the function and manner of tattooing Schiffmacher briefly lays out for me: a rite of passage for the Maori, the protective and spiritual aspect of the Sak Yant. Religious tattoos and the dark sides. Scarification as a predecessor of the tattoo. The exhibition is full of beautiful (and) historical artefacts. Fascinating is the Buddha statue on display containing the remains of a criminal. When I show interest in the historical wooden printing stamps, Schiffmacher explains how that was printed on the skin "to then be drawn over.
For Schiffmacher, the tattoo is a form of communication and "it has gotten out of hand with the tattoo hype. It has become an accessory." Even tattooing is no longer adventurous. "People who are not supposed to have a tattoo have one," he says. The message behind it is lost. People don't know what they are getting into. Getting a partner's name immortalised. An anecdote follows about a woman who had the name 'Victor' tattooed on her body. Later, a 'y' was placed behind it. Schiffmacher laughs. Victory. People underestimate the impact of tattoos.
Left eyebrow
Schiffmacher does not consider tattooing a (higher) art. It is raw and honest. Walking past the various colourful bodysuits, including a Japanese yakuza design, he points out that it was made by a talented tattoo artist who will also be present at the tattoo convention. Schiffmacher stresses that something from all the artists present will be on display in the exhibition. He goes on to say that practically all tattoo artists are fully booked for the entire weekend. He himself will also be working. There is a chance to win a tattoo by Henk Schiffmacher. In the end, several people will leave that weekend with an original Schiffmacher.
Standing in front of a photo of a cosmetic tattoo; this, according to Schiffmacher, is just another example of people not thinking. A woman wanted to have her eyebrow touched up - he points to the inside of his right one - because that eyebrow was, in fact, not as straight as the other. Some time later, she returned to touch up the other one. "In the end, her eyebrows looked like those of a clown," he says. He points out that eyebrows and other beauty ideals are very trend-sensitive anyway.
No regrets
One of the exhibitions masterpieces is the replica of his tattoo shop. Extremely fascinating. Interior includes a Delft Blue "Hall of Fame" of tattooists, beautiful prints and a cabinet of curiosities with a diversity of objects. The tattoos on (strongly placed) pig's feet interest and recognise me: "Medieval. Inspired by the artist Hieronymus Bosch" Schiffmacher created a Bord Tribute to Hieronymus Bosch for Royal Delft in the past as a tribute.
Whether he regrets certain tattoos? "No, I don't do regrets." Of course, you are more satisfied with some tattoos than others. Those who are restless or fickle should not get one. Rebellion is a must, though.
