Are tattoos art?

[Philosophy Explorer]

Tattoos have been around for a very long time. It seems that recently they've gained in popularity on the American scene and are often talked about.

As with everything else in art, it may be a matter of taste. Clearly there's much personal interest in it.

So what do you think about tattoos? Are they art or something else?

[Misty]

I think tattoos are art but sadly they will not gain in value to be admired and resold but will just die with each body that framed it.

[Sy Borg]

What are the options? Fine art. Commercial art. Folk art - naïve art, tribal art, primitive art, pop art art, outsider art, traditional art, blue-collar art.

Or what's the difference between art or craft?

I'd say most of it would be commercial art and faux outsider art. Some of the serious work would qualify as fine art, though some would rattle their pearls in disapproval.

[Thinking critical]

Obviously tattoos are art, there is NO question about it. I have two full sleeves half my chest and am now starting on my back, next will be my leg.

Why would tattoos NOT be considered as art?

[Misty]

Obviously tattoos are art, there is NO question about it. I have two full sleeves half my chest and am now starting on my back, next will be my leg.

Why would tattoos NOT be considered as art?

Only one leg?

Tattoos could be called living art. They do move when a muscle is flexed. They change shape when the skin grows older or the person gains/loses weight. Tattoo art can also be called walking art or art on the move. When the person with tattoos dies the art is dead art, or dying art as in decomposes with time. This art is also one of a kind even if the same tattoo is on more than one person because the canvas is always different and unique bodies. I think those with tattoos should take pristine photos and sell them as art to hang in homes and museums. Maybe that is already being done- I don't know.

[Philosophy Explorer]

Misty said:

"When the person with tattoos dies the art is dead art."

The statement is inaccurate as it takes time for the body to decompose. I'm sure Misty meant that the tattoo will disappear in time.

[Misty]

Misty said:

"When the person with tattoos dies the art is dead art."

The statement is inaccurate as it takes time for the body to decompose. I'm sure Misty meant that the tattoo will disappear in time.

Exactly what I meant, I thought it would be understood as such. Thanks for the clarification. I edited my post to reflect this clarification.

[Thought_Hurricane]

You see a painting on a wall and you call that art. Someone sits and draws a portrait of you, I'm sure you'd call that art. Does it matter if a drawing is on paper or skin? What is the difference?

Art is the context, the drawing and what people make of it. Surely it doesn't matter if it happens to be on ones body?

[Isosceles]

I am comforted to know that there is both art that will be preserved, and art that will not. Life seems richer for there being ephemeral things that we cannot capture but must appreciate in the moment. Next time you enjoy a tattoo, enjoy it even more, for it will be gone.

[Theophane]

If tattoos are treated as art, they *are* art. Even graffiti can be considered art. Art is a fairly nebulous idea that is extremely difficult to capture in words.

[Misty]

If tattoos are treated as art, they *are* art. Even graffiti can be considered art. Art is a fairly nebulous idea that is extremely difficult to capture in words.

Tattoos are not the only way humans turn their bodies into art. Makeup, jewelry, body piercing, burning, enhancing parts, reducing parts, on and on. Come to think of it each person, per se, is a work of art. Tattoos etc., enhance the original work of art.