Today’s Halloween inspired pic comes from BME’s resident Hanson expert, IAM: ilovehanson, who you might recall had her knuckles tattooed in tribute to the band. Ilovehanson, and her boyfriend IAM: Adrian, recently attended the Lawrence KS, zombie walk, and from the pictures it looks like they had a great time amongst the walking dead.
Well, finding the solution to the equation is simple. Just take a quick look at the new skool tattoo gallery and you’ll find that the answer is Madison of course.
Now this isn’t the first time we’ve seen Madison on ModBlog. Last year she was seen twice, here and here. This year she’s back showing off her ship sleeve by Scott Forbes from Oceanic Art in Dartmouth, NS, as well as showing off something a little new that you can see by reading on.
Did I say “pretty” earlier? I think I meant gorgeous.
Either way, it’s good to see her back on ModBlog with something new. Hopefully the next time she sends something in we’ll get a better look at the heart piece she has.
The headline of this post is the exact same message that is featured in a number of ads put forth by breathe.sg. I’d like you to first watch both videos, as they’re the focus of the rest of the post.
Keep on reading to find out where these ads came from and why they were made. I’ve broken the post up because it is a long one, and I know how much you guys hate massive stories on the front page.
The last time I posted an ad that featured a heavily modified person there was a healthy debate over the implications from the ad. This time though, the implications are pretty clear. These two people, who have great stories to tell about their modifications and the meanings behind them, should be looked at negatively as they’re on the same level as a binge drinker.
It took a little digging, but I discovered that the breathe.sg campaign began in 2008 as an initiative put forth by the Singapore government’s Heath Promotion Board (HPB). In a press release dated Oct 9th, 2008, the HPB announced the creation of the Breathe campaign.
NHLC 2008: “Breathe”
2 The theme for this year’s campaign is “Breathe”. It seeks to encourage youth to choose (breathe in) life, truth and self-expression and not succumb to (breathe out) insecurity, pessimism, pressure and judgement. “Breathe” will also brand health as exciting, vibrant and an asset youth should treasure to help them achieve their fullest potential and ambitions in life.
3 “Breathe” is targeted at youth aged 12 to 23 and will be launched by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Padang on 7 November 2008.
“Breathe – Game for Life” – Launch Event
4 The campaign’s launch event, “Breathe – Game for Life”, aims to showcase non-conventional, youth-centric activities to encourage the young to cultivate healthy habits for lifelong health. These include Human Bowling, Human Table Soccer and remote control speed racing. Conventional games such as Captain’s Ball will also be given a new twist to demonstrate how these activities can be made more exciting to engage our young in an active lifestyle.
5 Strong elements of music – a universal language among youth – will feature prominently at the launch event. In line with this, the event will feature an exhilarating new dance fitness routine, a hip-hop competition with a healthy lifestyle theme and a dance party under the stars. All these will encourage youth to keep active while grooving to their lively beats.
Launch of “Breathe” Portal
6 A new “Breathe” portal (www.breathe.sg) will be launched to engage youth on various health issues and provide them with information on events and activities held in conjunction with NHLC 2008.
In December of that year, todayonline.com wrote an article describing the efforts of the campaign, as well as it’s initial goals. The article has since been removed, but there there is a cached version of it available on a blog located here.
HE GOT drunk at a friend’s house and ended up taking off all his clothes in the bathroom. “The next thing I knew,” said :student Mervyn Lee, 19, “I woke up in my friend’s bed wearing a fresh pair of shorts.” Tales like this may raise a titter, but the dangers of excessive drinking are all too real. That is why the Health Promotion Board (HPB) will embark on its first nationwide campaign against binge drinkingnext year, aimed at 18- to 25-year-olds. Binge drinking — consuming five drinks or more for males, or four drinks or more for females, within two hours — is an “emerging issue in Singapore”, said HPB in a tender document posted on the GeBIZ website.
The HPB intends to create awareness through student-led projects and educational material targeted at tertiary students, among other things.
– Alicia Wong and Sufian Suderman, todayonline.com
Finally, as part of the 2008/2009 annual report, the chairman of the HPB, Lucas Chow, goes on to describe just how positive the campaign is meant to be. The entire report can be found here but it is a large .pdf file, so just be aware of that if you want to give it a read.
The annual National Healthy Lifestyle Campaign (NHLC) took on a youth focus for the first time, with the theme, “Breathe”. It encouraged young people to appreciate health as an asset for them to achieve their fullest potential and ambitions in life through an array of activities and events.
Now with the mandate of the campaign being intended to bring a positive outlook on their health and lifestyle, I find it interesting that their initial ad campaigns were so negative. To be fair, in addition to the ads, the Breathe campaign does sponsor a number of youth oriented events such as a hip-hop dance competition, as well as other youth themed events. But the question still remains, if the purpose of the campaign is “ to choose (breathe in) life, truth and self-expression and not succumb to not succumb to (breathe out) insecurity, pessimism, pressure and judgement”, aren’t these ads completely disingenuous? When I see the people in the videos I see two people who have chosen truth and self-expression, and aren’t showing any form of insecurity at all. The ads themselves even run counter to the notion of preventing pessimism, pressure, and especially judgement. If anything these commercials are huge examples of judgments being passed on young people in order to put them down and discourage them.
While the 2009 programs seem to be targeted towards reducing the number of teen smokers, the binge drinking campaign is still being promoted on the site’s YouTube channel.
Looking back at the ads, the question arises if the individuals in the ads knew exactly what the campaign was about. I find it hard to believe that two people with such high self-esteem would allow themselves to be used as a metaphor for an unhealthy activity. What I also find interesting is that the 2009 campaign against smoking had a fashion show event where you can obtain temporary tattoos that you’re encouraged to show off, as well as receive discounts at stores for wearing the tattoo. So while in 2008 having a lot of tattoos is equivelant to binge drinking, in 2009 suddenly it’s cool to show off a tattoo, even if it is temporary.
If the comments for the videos on YouTube are any indication, I’m not the only one who finds these ads offensive in they way they portray heavily modified people. It’s a shame that they took this approach because they may not receive the results they intended.
So ModBlog readers, what are your thoughts on this campaign? Is there a big enough cultural difference between how we see these ads, and the target audience would, that our perception of it is skewed? Or did the HPB completely miss the mark, and put out a campaign that will infuriate more people than it could help?
I know, I am kind of a tool for pretty much abandoning modblog as soon as Rob jumped on board and then coming back only to post a tattoo that I got last weekend. However, had I seen this tattoo on someone else, I would have quickly jumped to post it, especially seeing that it came from a relatively unknown artist out of Martinsburg, West Virginia.
Sometimes, I work conventions, but not this time. This convention was purely about hanging out with friends, enjoying some time off from my usual responsibilities of work and parenting and to get a “little” tattoo. Usually, when I go to conventions I just cruise the show floor looking at portfolios and “convention specials”. Convention specials are tattoos the artist really want to do, either for their portfolio, to enter in tattoo of the day or just because it’s such a ridiculous design no one outside of a convention would likely ever get it. I usually go for the latter. At the recent Philly convention I got a traditional style tattoo of a hand being held in a cup shape that read “cup the balls”, of course I got this on my inner thigh as close to my balls as possible so it could act as a fully functional instruction manual for how to properly handle my balls.
I had every intention of getting an equally, or possibly even more, stupid tattoo at this convention. Then I saw this design and instantly fell in love with it. After talking to the artist, Matti Hixson, I realized this was the guy who worked at Cherry Bomb In Martinsburg, WV. I first discovered his work on Sketch Kult and was instantly impressed, and SHOCKED that this kind of work was coming out of WV a mere 20 minutes from my home. After realizing this was the same guy, I almost decided to opt out of the tattoo. “Why get work from a local guy when there are all these amazing artist from all over?”, I thought to myself. I decided to check out the rest of the convention floor. There were some awesome designs but none that drew me in like this one from Matti, so after realizing someone else might actually want this piece, I hauled ass back over to his booth to book the appointment.
I was a bit disappointed to find out this design would fit nowhere on me (except my left rib panel that I am saving for a bigger piece) that was even remotely visible, but it did fit well between the random tattoos on my upper right thigh. As he started the first things I noticed were that he was incredibly light handed and his machines were damn near silent. It was almost surreal as the two sensations, pain and noise, that I normally associate with tattooing were not present. As the hours went on (6 total) it did get a bit more painful but never unbearable.
The background is one of my favorite parts, it was 100% freehanded on, and while it was being done, I have to admit I had my doubts. I thought to myself, ”Dots? Big fucking dots? If I wanted dots, I would have gotten a traditional tattoo”. However, I had faith in him, and I kept my thoughts to myself. As it came together, I grew to love these dots. The give the design movement and flow and the muted colors of the background really make the main design pop. When the piece was finished I was blown away. The drawing was rad but the finished tattoo was absolutely incredible. I was not the only one impressed either this piece got second place for Tattoo Of The Day on Saturday, a day full of awesome tattoos. The girl who took first that day had a bad ass Velociraptor on her thigh and really can you argue with a chic with a velociraptor? I think not. To sweeten the deal, third place went to my wife’s rad tattoo by Josh Payne.
Anyhow, like I said, I feel like a bit of a tool for posting a tattoo that I have, but I really think Matti deserves some recognition for his talents, and this post is the best way for me to do that. If you are within a few hours of Martinsburg, WV and are interested in a low pain, high quality color realism style tattoo, at AMAZINGLY REASONABLE West Virginia prices definitely get in touch with him.
PS: Now that I am back in town and things have settled down a bit I am going to try and put out at least one modblog post a day, to take some of the burden off Rob.
PPS: On a totally unrelated note. Does anyone know the older gentleman who is tattooed all blue with tribal tattoos that was running around the convention? I tried to peg him down for an interview, but I never saw him except when I was stuck in the tattoo chair. He seemed like a super nice guy and it’s odd for me to see someone with that heavy of a transformation and not at least know of them.
It’s always nice to see a couple happily in love. Of course with every relationship troubles can arise, it’s just how you deal with these that will get you through them. Being prepared also helps. Knowing each other well enough to get you through the toughest of challenges can make a relationship even stronger. I’m not talking about fights between the couple, although those would be included, I’m thinking of the big life problems that can arise, sometimes when they’re least expected. Loss of a job, unexpected pregnancy, nuclear fallout, basement getting flooded, car breaking down, and more are all the things life can throw at a couple at any time. This is why it’s always nice to appreciate the little things. Those little moments you share with your partner when the rest of the world doesn’t matter. Sometimes it could be something as simple as a shared love of something. Take this young couple, it’s obvious that they love each other, but they’re showing just how prepared they are for what life can throw at them, even if it’s a nuclear winter.
So while we can all hope to not have to live through a scene from the Fallout series of video games, it’s nice to know that if the world is coming to an end, that the love these two have for each other will surely carry on. If anyone knows who the happy couple is, please let me know so I can give them the proper credit.
Update: The photo is of IAM: NickFriederich and his lovely wife Chae. Head on over to Nick’s IAM page to take a look at the rest of the pictures from the photoshoot.
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
–Albert Camus
Most people have a favorite season. If you love skiing or snowboarding, winter may be your favorite. Spring has always been thought of as a time of rebirth and new love, while summer is the domain of the the sun. Then there are those of us who love the fall. The days growing cooler as the nights get longer, but not so cold that you need to bundle up when you go for a walk. The air becoming crisp and clean now that the humidity of august is behind us. And of course, who can forget about the biggest visual reminder of the changing season, the leaves changing colour.
I suppose it’s fitting that one of the first posts I make the day after Labour Day features some images uploaded over the weekend. Labour Day is always summer’s last hurrah before the fall takes its hold. It’s the last weekend for most kids before heading back to school, and it’s the last long weekend of the summer for adults to head out to the cottage to catch those last few moments on the lake.
For the uploader of the following pics, Halfie, this tattoo really captures that transition from summer to fall. Granted all the seasons can be seen as transitional, but when looking at the leaves, you can really see the changes happening right before your eyes. The artist is Kyle Hoffman from A Brand New Tattoo in Eau Claire, WI, and the photographer was Paul Veit.
Keep on reading to see the rest of the leaves, and the colors they change into.
A little while ago I received the following video in my inbox. If you have the same language barrier that I have, you’ll want to skip to the 1:55 mark to see the relevant portion of the video.
This news piece was filmed in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine at a tattoo festival a couple of weeks ago. ModBlog reader Mark sent this in along with this picture of the completed piece.
Of course the BME Logo has found its way on to many people from all over the world, as you can see in the BME Logo tattoo gallery. To think that it’s been over 15 years since the late Scott Fox first designed the logo, and while he may not have lived to see how widespread his image would become, his memory is still alive in the hearts of those who knew him, and I’m sure seeing his design carried all over the would makes them proud to have known him.
If you’re unfamiliar with the works of C.R. Mackintosh, he’s definitely one artist you may want to look into. As one of the forerunners of the Arts and Crafts movement, as well as a proponent of Art Nouveau, his designs, and those of his contemporaries are often only seen in galleries. Often times you will see echoes of their works carried over into the 20th century, as many of the buildings that were designed by Mackintosh and the others are still standing today.
This beautiful piece is one of Mackintosh’s paintings, which has been superbly reconstructed as a tattoo by the always brilliant Fabrizio Divari.
I’m sure the art history majors can do a much better job describing the intricacies of this piece better than I can, but from what I can see, this piece definitely captures the essence of Mackintosh’s work perfectly, while transferring it to the new medium of the skin. With Nouveau’s principles buried in encompassing the totality of a structure, to see it transplanted onto a person takes that mentality one step forward. The alteration and creation of the new self, by changing ones external self, embodies the philosophy so well. If only there were artists of Fabrizio’s caliber during Mackintosh’s day, the Art Nouveau movement may have taken on an entirely new form.
“Ut imago est animi voltus sic indices oculi” (The face is a picture of the mind as the eyes are its interpreter)
–Cicero (rough translation)
We’ve all heard the phrase “The eyes are the window to the soul” in some variation, yet what does it really mean? Have you ever looked into someone’s eyes and were able to know everything about a person in an instant? The concept of love at first sight is often linked with the soul quote. People claim they knew they were soulmates the moment their eyes connected.
It is true that our eyes are probably one of our more expressive features. With a single look a person can convey pretty much every emotion possible, just ask Tyra Banks how important “smiling with your eyes” can be. Which could be the reason behind the quote. Or is it something more? An eye is like a fingerprint, or at least that’s what every spy movie that uses a retinal scanner tells me. With so much detail and nuance stored within the eye, is there some form of unknown code that we can unconsciously translate? Who we are as a person is somehow imprinted into the structure of our eyes, and no matter what we do physically with our eyes, there is a truth that cannot be hidden from others?
What do you think it is? While you ponder that, check out this eye tattoo that Questionable uploaded.
I like that it is incomplete so you can really see the steps the artist is taking to put the eye together. It makes you wonder what part of the wearer’s soul this third eye is revealing.
Questionable also uploaded an image of an incredible Nyarlathotep tattoo, that you should check out as well.
Tattoos can have many different meanings to the wearer. Sometimes those meanings can even change over time. For example a tattoo that was done with a friend present may one day become a memorial tattoo if the friend passes away. Tattoos can mark significant events in a person’s life, the birth of a child, or journey taken. They can be about something the wearer is passionate about, or has played a major role in that person’s life.
Whatever the reason a person has for getting a tattoo, most of the time there is a story to be told. A while back I talked about modified members of the armed services. Today I found a story about one serviceman that I thought would be nice to share.
Sergeant Matthew Jackson, a bomb disposal expert from the 1st EOD Company, likes to quote Charles Manson in relation to his job – “total paranoia is total awareness.” It helps to keep his mind focused when he and his explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) team are working on one of the countless IEDs they have come across during their deployment in southern Afghanistan.
Jackson, on first meeting, looks just a tad eccentric. An English major at college, he is a big Hemingway fan. He wears thick black-rimmed glasses, and along the length of his left arm are a series of tattoos of the molecular structures of different types of explosives. Some call it his crib sheet, but he regards it as a portrait gallery of close friends, whom he refers to fondly as he lists their explosive properties and relative levels of oxygen content. In the center of his forearm is TNT – “the base of all explosives,” by his wrist are blasting cap explosives, nitroglycerin is further up his arm, but his personal favorite, he says with the enthusiasm of a professional collector, is RDX – the main component of C4 – “it’s just neat, it’s sensitive, it’s powerful…”
While Sergeant Jackson goes on to describe how the life of an EOD tech isn’t anything like it is in the film “The Hurt Locker”, he still is responsible daily for the lives of his company, and everyone else serving in Afghanistan. So while the sergeant’s tattoos are jokingly called a “crib sheet”, those chemical compounds are responsible every day for injuries and possibly death for any number of troops or civilians.
Sergeant Jackson’s arms tell a story. The story of a man who puts his life on the line every day to make sure people get home safely. I know that there are ModBlog readers who have served, and I can think of a specific IAM member that ended up coming home after being wounded by an IED. The stories that Matthew has are his own to share. So while we can see part of the story on the surface, it is what is underneath that carries the full tale.
This story is just like everyone else’s. Not everyone with a tattoo has a story that is tied to life or death, but we all have a story to tell. The ink is just the surface, the outer shell of the person inside. The tattoos are the story from inside being reflected on the outside. They are as much a part of ourselves as the stories that make up our life are.
