Research Paper Outline

Eric Zimmermann

Fall 2009

Research Paper Outline

I. Thesis: Tattoos have since their inception risen in popularity from a tribal ritual and honor to a mainstream statement about one’s own individuality and interests. The tattoo artist was born, and with this many changes came as well. However, we must not forget that the lifeline of a tattoo will always end with the person who bears it.

II. Early Civilizations and Tattoos

A. Ritualistic

B. Social Status

C. Medicinal Reasons

III. Tattoo and Culture during the early 1900’s

A. Sailors traveling throughout the Polynesian islands discover tattoos and the fad is born

B. Americanization/Modernization of tattoos

IV. Tattooing as a Subculture

A. Tattoo artists among the likes Sailor Jerry, and Spider Webb

challenge society with new ideas regarding tattoos and body art.

B. Spider Webb creates tattoos as conceptual art pieces.

V. Tattooing in society today

A. New artists continue to surprise the tattoo community by continuously pushing the envelope and trying to out do his or her predecessors.

B. With the acceptance of tattoos in modern day society they have become a fly by night business and the significance of the art of tattoo has been lost. The concept of permanence has dissipated.

C. Laser Removal has saved many, but at what cost? This has also taken away from the original idea behind the art of tattoos (from the moment it is applied to the last breath you take that tattoo is with you, a part of you). No more is this the case.