Hilltopics
Page 6A
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
KANSAN
March 3, 1997
With better techniques and higher acceptance more and more people aren't afraid to be
TATTOOED
Story by Steph Brewer
Photographs by Andrei Urasov
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lamie Chisum, Hesson junior, and Chris Martin, Wichita State University
unior, browse through tattoo drawings.
In 1979, when Lawrence resident Tracy Koons was 14 years old and wanted a tattoo, she visited a Harley-Davidson motorcycle convention in Independence, Mo.
In 1996, when Kavita Jain, Lansing freshman, wanted a tattoo, she traveled no further than downtown Lawrence.
If Jain had walked into a tattoo parlor 15 or 20 years ago wanting the sun that now adorns her back, she may have received some funny looks.
"It's a fashion statement now and it wasn't then," Koons said. "It definitely wasn't the norm. Back then it was only bikers and military who got tattoos."
In fact, Koons, now a 32-year old office manager at the Douglas County American Red Cross, said she hadn't even told all of her employers about her tattoos because of the stigma that was previously attached.
Lance Tuck, tattooed and body piercer at Skin Illustrations, 740 Massachusetts Street, said tattoos had moved into the mainstream.
"We get bankers, doctors, lawyers, jobless types, fraternity and sorority members, bikers and truckers." Tuck said. "It's almost getting to the point where if you're not tattooed or pierced, you're part of the minority."
Tuck, who may overstate the fashion a bit, attributes tattoo acceptance to the rise in popularity of tattooed musicians and sports stars, such as Dennis Rodd
"I think tattoos are something really common to our generation," said Amanda Schick, Los Angeles, NM. 6
John Hoopes associate professor of anthropology, also cited Dennis Rodman as someone who had helped bring tattoos into the mainstream. He said people often got tattoos as a way of imitating their heroes.
most would consider shocking. Tuck said the most requested designs are suns and moons, clovers, roses, yin and yang symbols and tribal blackwork.
While such designs may not seem hard-core enough for tattoo enthusiasts, the recipients of these tattoos are perfectly happy.
"I didn't want something biker chic-esque," said Beth Melin, Olathe sophomore, who sports a blue, purple and black butterfly on her ankle. "I wanted something beautiful."
David White, Kansas City, Kan. freshman, who has a biomechanical design on his upper thigh, would dispute the beauty of the dolphins and butterflies that are
Alamos, N.M., freshman.
Still, the most popular tattoos at Skin Illustrations are not what
"It's almost getting to the point where if you're not tattooed or pierced,you're part of the minority."
"I think it's a more readily accepted form of expression," said Haynes, who has the eye of Ra, an Egyptian god, tattooed on his upper arm. "It's kind of lost its shock value."
Matthew Haynes, Maize sophomore, agreed.
However, Hoopes said tattoos still weren't completely accepted.
"My guess is there are a lot of political conservatives who would not consider tattoos acceptable." Hoopes said.
Lance Tuck
Tattooist and body piercer at Skin Illustrations
showing up on college girls across the nation
"I think it ruins the image," he said. "I see a lot of sorority girls who go to Skin Illustrations and get dolphins on their ankles, and they look terrible."
However, Jessica Kueker,
DeSoto sophomore, said she thought the dolphin on her hip was feminine and she likes the fact
"If you come in with a big, old flame tattoo on your wrist, who's going to hire you for a serious iob?" she said.
that it is understated. She said tattoos that could not be hidden easily by clothing were tacky and could hurt a person's chances for employment.
Mercantile Bank is one business that will not hire someone with a flame tattoo on a wrist — or anywhere else that is visible. Camille Jones, senior vice president of human resources at the bank, said body tattooing, piercing, or jewelry that was not generally considered acceptable in a business environment was prohibited. While the bank has nothing against tattoos, Jones said customers had expectations that must be met.
"They have a certain image they feel is appropriate," Jones said.
The issue of employment is not the only one that one must consider when getting a tattoo. There are also questions of health and whether the design will be welcome in 20 years.
Randall Rock, chief of staff at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said he would advise patients not to get tattoos because of the risk of infection. The application of a tattoo involves the introduction of a foreign material to the body, which can cause problems. There is also the risk of infection from using dirty instruments.
"If instruments are shared with another or contaminated with the secretions of another, the recipient of the tattoo could receive more than the picture." Rock said.
Rock said a tattoo also could be a bad idea because of its permanence. He said methods of removal were difficult and costly.
Ginger Bartkoski, Lansing freshman and owner of two tattoos—a daisy on her thigh and a sun, moon and stars design on her back, said she thought many people who followed the trend would be unhappy with their decision later in life.
"My guess is that it's a trend where, 10 years from now, there will be a lot of cosmetic surgeons tattooing off," she said.
Schick said that while she may not still want the pink daisy on her back in 20 years, she would keep it anyway.
"Even if I don't like the tattoo, it'll be a good reminder of my college years and how I used to be young and carefree," she said.
since it is not alone in her philosophy. Hoopes said people often got tattoos as a way of creating identity — ethnic or otherwise.
"It's a way people create a personal history for themselves," he said.
ABOVE: Mennen Speedstick will help the purple coloring transfer better onto the arm of Derek Reding, Kansas City, Mo. resident.
LEFT: Lance Tuck traces Calvin from the shoulder of Jeff Foster, Perry Lake resident, to tattoo another customer.
30128760542599581520975555555555
BUTTERY CHUNKS MUSIC REVIEW
I remember when soundtracks were nothing to get excited about. The majority of them contained cheesy music from obscure artists and only once in a while did a soundtrack such as Foottoose race up the music charts. Well, the times definitely have changed. Lost Highway contains new
Various Artists — Lost Highway, Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Interscope Records.
songs from Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins and Martilyn Manson. The album provides the background for David Lynch's new movie and was produced by both Lynch and Trent Reznor. The result is a virtual cornucopia of techno/metal/pop and the occasional
instrumental from Angelo B ad al a menti. Perhaps the best song on the album is Lou Reed's version of the golden oldie, This
Magic Moment. Although the album does have some lows, the majority is an enovable techno swirl pop.
L7 — Beauty Process/Triple Platinum; Slash/Reprise Records.
The grunge grrllrs return with their fourth album and a cleaner sound.
A lt hough they had a modest hit in the early '90s with Pretend We're Dead, they have maintained their rough style while progressing past the
grunge fad. The Beauty Process boasts strong rock songs like Drama and even a guest appearance by Lionel Richie. Now that's an interesting combination. While the album travels along the same hard-core path, we can see a glimpse of a kinder, gentler L7.
White Town — Women in Technol;
oog; Chrysalis/EMI Records.
Morphine — Like Swimming;
Dreamworks Records.
If the '80s are back, White Town should be able to secure its place as the new OMD or Flock of Seagulls. The album consists entirely of slow English synthesizer pop. Listening to it is like having soda accidentally spurt out of your nose. At first it's kind of bubbly and fun, then it just burns. With song titles like *Function of the Orgasm*, and *The Death of My Desire*, one would expect an Enigma-esque sound, but instead it's just boring.
Wow. The new album from Morphine is a lot like swimming. It gives the listener the impression of floating underwater and grooving to slow, deep base-
are addicted, *Potion*, the first single sets the tone with its soulful bass and haunting horns. The band has success; fully merged their jazz/funk/soul style once more with their fantastic new CD.
lines. Morphine has a definite style and sound which has attracted many fans; and this new project will easily satisfy those who
— Ashlee Roll
Some CDs provided courtesy of Seventh Heaven.