Reflections of Darkness [RoD]: When did you get your first tattoo and what was it? Did it take much time until you decided to get it done?
Daniel: I got my first tattoo in 1997 and it was a small tribal on the right upper arm.
RoD: How many tattoos do you have? Could you please tell us their story?
Daniel: A few are already there, but I cannot give an exact number. All tattoos have a meaning for me but it is not something special, I just like tattoos.
RoD: Have you already got all the tattoos that you wanted or will you get some new ones in the future?
Daniel: There will definitely be some more.
RoD: Have all your tattoos been done by one tattoo artist or by different ones? How do you choose the tattoo artist? In addition, who draws your sketches?
Daniel: Almost all my tattoos were made by one tattoo artist, only one is from another because it was special. I've never made a sketch myself, I think this should be done by the tattoo artist.
RoD: Getting tattooed hurts, how do you cope with the pain during the sessions?
Daniel: You can stand it!
RoD: Do you regret getting tattooed sometimes?
Daniel: Never!
RoD: What is your taboo in terms of tattoos? What kind of tattoo would you never get done and don’t like to see on other people?
Daniel: I don’t know.
RoD: Some people say that the drive to acquire body art is addictive while others say it fails to meet the true definition of an addiction, simply calling it a passion. Is it really impossible to stop?
Daniel: Agreed!
RoD: Last Year’s tattoos are a new trend; many people do not care about the meaning, they just want to have something coloured on the skin, to be in trend. Those people often just go into a tattoo salon and ask which drafts they have. Tattoo artists are not artists any more, they produce consumer goods. Not all of them, of course. How do you feel about this situation?
Daniel: I do not have an opinion about it ;)
RoD: I would like to talk about the social aspect of tattoos, too. Previously, many people believed that if you have a tattoo, you will be never be successful and will not find a "good" job. Have this state of mind and people's perceptions changed or are these prejudices still alive?
Daniel: Yes, it has changed and the tattoo has no more anti-social reputation. I think it has something to do with the quality of the tattoos as they are made today, they are small works of art and this has changed the point of view. And now they exist in every social class.
RoD: Which advice would you give to people who are going to get their first tattoo? How to choose a tattoo artist? Colour or black and white? Any practical advice?
Daniel: My advice is you should consider it well before you get a tattoo done, because it is just a thing for your whole life. Chose a good tattoo artist who understands his craft and not the first one that you find. I personally do not like colour and therefore all my tattoos are black / grey but that is a pure question of taste.
Project by Daria Tessa and Daniela Vorndran, Interview by Daria Tessa
Pictures by Daria Tessa (https://www.facebook.com/tessaswelten/)
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