Sasha Krohn is a circus artist and dancer, who specialises in aerial acrobatics and equilibristic as well as contemporary dance. Sasha's aim is to create stories and topics that are translated through movement. Those topics often include sexuality / gender , mental states and identification. He was living in London for the past 12 years , and performed and trained worldwide with companies such as Punchdrunk, Nick Knight (photographer), Torture Garden, Cirque Bijou and more. We are very happy that this extraordinary artist agreed to answer a few questions about his tattoos and the stories behind them.
Reflections of Darkness [RoD]: When did you get your first tattoo and what was it? Did it take much time to make you doing it?
Sasha: My very first tattoo is on my left arm and is a depiction of a skull surrounded by Celtic knife like tribal. A very simple depiction of timelessness. The perception of the skull being something bad is typical western understanding, which I personally don't agree with. It's the remains of something beautiful once having been alive
RoD: How many tattoos do you have? Could you please tell us their story?
Sasha: I have both upper arms, my entire back, my chest and a few dots in my face. So about five. As stated the first one, which by the way was my 18th birthday present from my parents, stands for timeless being. The right arm has a Celtic warrior face on it, which emerges out of a biomechanical inside. He stands for the soul warrior, the soul spirit that doesn't accept when something or somebody attacks you. It's the defence of everything that could harm you or your body. My back is the alchemical description of life: an inverted Triangle (Body, Mind, Soul) with a circle in the middle (the connection and repetition) all held together through bones and organic matter. A simple reminder that everything that passes, will find its way back into our life... even if it’s just in our memories. The chest reads “Weed Out The Weak”… a VERY old quote, also used by Edgar Allan Poe, in order to describe the way of getting rid of negative thought. Maintain positivity and strength through the eradication of negativity by writing, moving, painting....anything to use the negativity for something positive. Unfortunately, the statement is being misinterpreted a lot of times, by people that understand those words to be an attack against other human beings. I guess they are just scared... but don't be. 5 dots on my head, and 7 on my chin. Those literally have no other meaning, I just wanted to decorate my face in a subtle but beautiful way. Maybe one day they will have a relevance beyond shallow output
RoD: Have you already made all tattoos that you wanted or will there be some new ones next time?
Sasha: Maybe a few more dots here and there, but I am done. I sometimes miss the skin-look, but I am not regretting my tattoos. But definitely do not need more.
RoD: Have you done all tattoos by one tattoo artist or by different ones? How do you choose the tattoo artist? In addition, who makes your sketches?
Sasha: They are all from different artists. The first two (skull, Celtic face) were done by the same guy who also tattooed my parents, Det from Koerperkult. An excellent detailed worker, spiritually connected, warm human who is a friend of the family. The chest I did in London by a friend who needed me as a canvas, and the back is also by a friend who is a fine artist, and drew out my concept. The dots were done by a friend and student of min , Enriko Davidovs, that I met in the circus. He does acrobatics and is also a fantastic tattooist... and I think he has marked up a lot of people from the circus “scene” so far.
RoD: Making a tattoo hurts, how do you cope with the pain during the sessions?
Sasha: It really depends: on my arms I didn't find it too painful, so it was rather easy to take. My back was painful as hell on some parts, and there... I simply try to breath as calmly as possible and not start to cramp up in my body. Tension means just more pain. Or I start crying, throw a hissy fit until the artists stops
RoD: Do you regret of getting tattoo sometimes?
Sasha: Not regretting, but I miss a spotless canvas look sometimes.
RoD: What is your taboo in terms of tattoos? What will never be made by you and you don’t like to be made by other people?
Sasha: Anything racist, homophobic or any other intolerant statement, symbolism or bigotry (I would like to stress that even the swastika in the right context is not a fascist symbol, and therefore if placed in the right context, go for it).
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, calling it simply a passion. Is it really impossible to stop?
Sasha: Well, eventually you run out of skin. By that time you won't have any other choice but have to stop. But frankly, I wouldn't call it an addiction. It's a passion that found its trigger. It's not that I NEED it, but more the feeling of having access to this beautiful decoration that CAN carry your personality.
RoD: Last Year’s tattoos are a new trend; many people do not think about the meaning, they just want to have something coloured on the skin, to be in trend. These people often just go into tattoo salon and ask to show what 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?
Sasha: Fine by me. Your body is your temple, and you can decorate it any way you want, by any one you want. It's the same kids-politics like telling me what I am wearing is just trendy, and has no meaning. It's like people trying to tell sex-workers , that what they are doing is wrong (which by the way it IS NOT!). Do what you want with your body, NO matter what other people perceive or criticise. You have to walk around with it and feel good. No one else. Simple. And why do some people believe that a tattoo always needs a meaning? As far as I know, we also put pictures up on our walls... just because they look beautiful. I don't question the motif, I enjoy the art.
RoD: I would like to talk about the social aspect of tattoos too. Previously, many people thought that if you have a tattoo you will be never be successful and will not find a "good" job. Have the consciousness and people's perceptions changed or are prejudices still alive?
Sasha: 50/50. In my job it's not necessarily a problem, because I am most of the time flying high above people anyways, and as a performer it's not a problem. But some prejudices are still alive. When people see even the slight dots on my face , you can feel them withdrawing. Fear. Fair enough. But I also think that times are changing slowly and solidly. After all: I barely know anyone without tattoos these days.
RoD: What advice would you give to people who are going to make their first tattoo? How to choose a tattoo artist? Colour or black and white? Just some practical advice?
Sasha: Make sure the lady or guy with the needle has a certificate of hygiene, and doesn't charge prices like two euros per letter (that should always be a warning sign). Ideally, go to somebody, where you instantly feel comfortable and safe. You should be fine. Colour or Black and White? Hey whatever floats your boat. Go nuts, enjoy the buzz (wink wink), and your newly decorated temple.
Project by Daria Tessa and Daniela Vorndran, Interview by Daniela Vorndran
Pictures by Daniela Vorndran (http://www.vorndranphotography.com / http://www.facebook.com/blackcatnet)
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