When I was a kid I read about the cave paintings at Altamira and how they were discovered accidentally by a girl accompanying her father as he worked in the caves. In college, when I was about 18, I learned about Lascaux and the paintings there: elegant images, some "primitive" but some very sophisticated, with all the principles of "gestalt" and "closure" which had begun to fascinate me.
In any case, I have arrived at a few options:
Horse, Lascaux:
My favorite. This is one of the oldest images known to man, dated between 13,000 and 17,000 BC. I like the connection to the spirit of mark-making which existed in our primitive ancestors and which endures today in us today. I also think it would be cool to liken my skin to the walls of a cave, especially when my flesh begins to resemble the geological undulation of a cave wall.
She-Wolf:
The Roman numerals translate as 2008 (I'd change it to 2009 if I had it done after the new year). The time I have spent in Rome has been transformative, a rebirth. This is a sort of tribute to the city and a bit of memorabilia about the importance of this year.
Mercury:
My favorite from the mythology I read as a kid, Mercury (Hermes) was the messenger of the gods and he ran like the wind. An odd coincidence—my surname translates as something like "Messenger of the House." I'm pretty deeply invested in visual communication and I consider running a big part of my identity, so I think it would be appropriate.
Antinous:
After drowning in the Nile, Hadrian had hundreds of likenesses made of Antinous. The sculptures take your breath away.
Posts
3 comments:
The Lascaux horse is my favourite too. It strikes a special chord. I've also been planning on getting a tattoo and I think I've decided on the red bear from Chauvet. XD
Hi, I've stumbled upon your blog quite by accident, but this is the first I've commented. I believe in the Hermes tattoo. Tattoo's still have the link of being rebellious but I find them to be more personal than rebellious. And a canvas more precious than any other. (i'm obviously a fan). I too find a special link to this messenger of the gods and mortals. Please post if if you get it!
For years I have been considering a tattoo, but I too have misgivings about a 'symbol to sum up my life', especially since I am only part of the way through it. Also I hate the idea of some skanky biker marking my skin and being tied to their energy. I had the same idea about a Lascaux image, since it was created thousands of years ago by a shaman, in a world more wild and pure than this one.
I googled 'cave painting tattoo' and here I am. While I was travelling through Spain I saw a 'Przewalski's Horse' and looking into it's eyes, had one of those moments. These are the animals before we made them slaves.
Post a Comment