Like a fresco, painted onto a wall, a tattoo is created by implanting ink into the dermis layer of the skin. Firenze Indelibile is bringing the best of the world’s tattoo artists to our beloved city—the seventh annual Florence Tattoo Convention will run from November 7 to 9 at the Fortezza da Basso. While some assume tattoo art is contemporary, this ‘human fresco’ artwork has spanned time, serving a wide range of purposes, from tribal markings to religious and spiritual expression.
The highly esteemed tattoo artists and ‘tattoo historians’ will offer visitors opportunities to learn and to watch. On show will be the Ta Moko technique from New Zealand, in which grooves are carved into the skin with a chisel made from the bone of a local seabird, and the Inuit technique, which uses a thread and needle to ‘sew’ ink into the skin.
Among the 300 artists and other experts will be anthropologist Lars Krutak, of the Discovery Channel’s Tattoo Hunter, and famed artist Michael Hussar, along with music, dance and food. For details and the full program, see www.florencetattooconvention.com.
