In this class, we talked about Chapters 10-14 of the Written on The Body. In Caplan’s article, ‘National Tattooing’: Traditions of Tattooing in Nineteenth-century Europe’ we contrasted Cesare Lombroso and Lacassagnes’ perception of tattoos, and this led to a thought-provoking discussion on nature vs. nurture. We also discussed cultural appropriation and how the phrase is commonly used today. I believe that this discussion was very helpful for me to put some issues into perspective. I have been thinking about tribal and traditional tattoos, which people are entitled to or “allowed” to get them, and how should we think about cultural appropriation when it comes to tattooing.
We also talked about contemporary Russian prison tattoos, which I found very fascinating. When it comes to prisoners, there is a striking contrast between the punitive function of tattoos and tattoos that prisoners get willingly in order to establish themselves, and to some extent, to take pride in their past. Also, in contemporary Russian prison tattoos, we could observe an established visual language, with specific imagery meaning specific crimes or themes such as “freedom”, that the prisoners developed within their community.
I also thought about how tattoos fit in with the concept of femininity at different ages during this class, especially when we were discussing tattooed entertainers in America and Germany, and 1846-1966 changing perceptions of tattoos in America. The conversation around the idea of “tainted women”, why this perception especially arises when it comes to tattooed women in certain communities, is still very relevant today.