ModBlog News of the Week: April 1st, 2011

Happy April Fool’s day everyone!  With ModBlog’s annual joke already finished, it’s time to get to some legit news.  Hopefully all of these stories are real, although you never can tell on the 1st of April.

The Copenhagen Post this week featured the first of a multi-part story on the history of tattooing in Denmark.  Anyone with an interest in tattoo or Scandinavian history should take the time to check it out.  The first part covers the beginnings of tattooing in Denmark from the 1800′s sailor tattoos, to the mid 50′s when King Frederick IX posed for Life magazine shirtless, showing off his collection of ink.

“This is where it all started,” said photographer and author Jon Nordstrøm when The Copenhagen Post met him outside of Nyhavn 17, home to Tattoo-Ole, the oldest functioning tattoo shop in the world.  Though tattoos can be traced backed some 5,000 years, the modern history of tattooing in Denmark began in the late 19th century, when sailors poured into Nyhavn sporting tattoos they had gathered on their journeys and were greeted by a few enterprising locals who had set up rudimentary stations that amounted to little more than a box to sit on, hand-held tools and some ink.

At the turn of the 20th century, Nyhavn was the only place in all of Denmark – indeed in all of Scandinavia – where those inclined could get tattooed. It was a distinction the area held for nearly a century.  “Denmark, and Nyhavn in particular, was the headquarters for tattooing in Scandinavia for nearly 100 years, from the 1890s to 1975,” said Nordstrøm. “Aside from a few ‘sailor shops’ that popped up in Sweden in the ’40s, where tattoos were done in a backroom, there was no tattooing in Sweden or Norway.”

Tattoo Ole also became known for the work he did on a particular customer. In 1951, a LIFE magazine article featured a shirtless King Frederik IX – a former sailor himself – showing off his physique and his extensive collection of tattoos, which included the handiwork of Tattoo Ole. (See a short video of the King showing off his tattoos here)

I’ll be sure to include next week’s installment in the weekly news post so those interested can keep up.

More news to come, including a marketing strategy that may or may not be real.

Are you someone who likes a gamble?  Well if you live in San Francisco, tonight you can take your chances on getting tattooed with a design you pick randomly.

As the Lower Haight Art Walk approaches (from 6pm to 9:30pm on Friday, folks), so does the annual tattoo roulette tradition at Idle Hand Tattoo Studio. See, each year they offer “$60 Get-What-You-Get Tattoos” night. It goes something like this: They have a large gumball machines filled with tattoo designs, you fork over a comparatively scant $60, turn the dial, and outcomes your new tattoo. Whether you like it or not. But, since the artists at Ide Hand are top-drawer, you’re bound to like it.

I’m not entirely sure what to make of this, as it sounds like it could be a good deal if you’re looking to get some piece of random flash tattooed on your body.

Speaking of deals, in a marketing move that could quite possibly be an April Fool’s day joke, Ecko have launched an interesting new ad campaign.

The company offers templates for the two stores’ rhino and shears logos, but encourages those interested in the discount to “personalize… Add color, scenery, etc., but the logo needs to be intact.”  Of course, to get the discount, the ink must be permanent and not a rub-on transfer.

I noticed there are no size restrictions, so it might be worth getting a really tiny version of the logo tattooed on the bottom of your foot, or some other non-visible location.

The scumbag of the week award goes to Arthur Moore for not only sexually assaulting a 9 year old boy, but also tattooing his name on the boy’s shoulder.

Assistant District Attorney Kyle Rossi says last spring, Moore assaulted the boy in his home, where Moore was renting a room. Shortly after that, Rossi says that Moore then tattooed the boys upper shoulder.  When the boy’s family discovered the tattoo, the boy then told them of the sex abuse and a warrant was issued for Moore’s arrest. Arthur Moore was arrested last month in Albuquerque, New Mexico and then extradited to Rochester.  Rossi says that Moore threatened to kill the boy if he told anyone about the abuse. Moore has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child for those alleged threats.

I think this is a great example of what not to do.  Ever.

College ModBlog readers, and those of you who went to some kind of post-secondary education.  After the bills were paid, and the books bought, what did you spend your extra money on?  Across North America the number one answer to that question is “buy booze”.  Well The Towerlight, Towson University’s newspaper took a look into the lives of students who spent their money on body modifications instead of alcohol.

The four or more years students spend at college can go by faster than many expect.  A permanent way to capture a moment or idea from that time is gaining popularity on college campuses, according to senior and former Towerlight contributor Amy Hefter, causing the formation of a unique culture.  “The draw of tattoos is having beautiful art or sayings on your body,” Hefter said.  “Tattoos allow you to spend your money on something that is much more permanent than a case of beer.”

Three years ago, Towson University decided to explore the culture surrounding tattoos through photography for a class project. She entitled it “The Tattoo Project. “ To date, Hefter has photographed 90 students and two professors.  Through word of mouth and social networking publicity, “The Tattoo Project” has grown into much more than a class assignment.  Hefter is now reaching out to Towson faculty to participate.  She plans to continue shooting students and faculty until she graduates in December.

This week’s collection of celebrity stories is thankfully short.

Gucci Mane, the rapper known only for his facial ice cream cone tattoo, has finally come public as to why he chose such a unique design.

In the past few months, the Atlanta MC has exhibited some less than savory behavior, culminating with tattooing a large ice cream cone on the side of his face. However, Gucci wants the public to know that he is of sound mind, and feels that his ink was a good decision. “Everybody wants to know why I got the tattoo, did it hurt, what it means,” he told Billboard. “I just tell them it’s my trademark. It represents being the coldest in the game.”

Now I could be wrong, but don’t musicians want to be considered “hot”?

In a shocking turn of events, Amber Rose went out in public with a skintight dress showing off her nipple piercings.  I don’t really know who she is, or what she’s famous for, but here’s a picture of her anyway.

Yesterday, Amber Rose stepped out in NYC wearing a skin-tight freakum dress. This wouldn’t normally make headlines because, let’s be real, when isn’t Amber wearing an outfit that shows off her assets? However, on this particular occasion, we couldn’t help but notice the nipple piercings poking through her dress.

Well, that’s it for the first news post of April.  As always, keep sending in those news stories, and have yourselves a great weekend everyone.