Are you part of the 10% French with tattoos? Exit the cliché of a sailor displaying a heart on his arm or the eagle drawn on the torso of an underground rocker. From socialites (Nicole Richie) to princesses (Stéphanie de Monaco), hipsters (by definition) to politicians (they hide theirs well), models (Kate Moss) to working girls, they all went for one.
Musée du quai Branly is putting body sketching in the spotlight, well « anchored» today in our society. An historic and arty exhibition, that not only retraces its origins, but also the technical and graphic evolutions of the tattoo. It is now considered an artistic venue in its own right.
Reproductions of arms, legs and backs have even served as canvases for up and coming tattoo-artists (including Frenchy Tin-Tin and the Japanese Horiyoshi III), who created special works with needles for the event.
We like: an important (300 works), informative, playful and creative show.
Tatoueurs, tatoués, from 6 May 2014 to 18 October 2015, Mezzanine Ouest Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 11am to 7pm. Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 9pm. Closed on Monday.
Painting by Titine Leu, 2000
"Artoria Circus Lady" Tattooed by her husband R. Gibbons, 1921-1924 Acrylic on canvas, 200 cm x 150 cm Private collection of The Leu Family's Family Iron
© The Leu Family's Family Iron
©Conor Finnegan
