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opheliasbr introThis year’s festival season has come to an end for me and now it’s the perfect time to go through all interviews that we have prepared for you but not posted yet. Today I am happy to present you the interview with amazing and mystery woman Ophelia, the voice and soul of SAIGON BLUE RAIN, whose show I have enjoyed during NCN festival this autumn.

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?
Ophelia: I got my first tattoo in 2009. I wanted something that represented my Celtic origins, I've always felt close to and interested in its mythology. It was the result of a long reflection, before doing it, I wanted it to be quite big on my back but very feminine. Then, one of my friend created it for me: Celtic interlaces adorned with vine leaves which are the symbol of sensuality in the Celtic culture.

RoD: How many tattoos do you have? Could you please tell us their story?
Ophelia: I have two tattoos by now. (The story of the first one answered in question 1) The second one is a Sphinx moth on one of my legs and I've just had it for a few days. To be more precise, I got it just the day before I've been asked to be part of the project “artists and their tattoos”. It was a funny coincidence and a good way to pay tribute to my beautiful new one. Since my band exists, I've seen myself changing a lot, I've been gaining maturity and self-esteem. This moth symbolizes my metamorphosis after crossing the darkness during a sad period of my life.

RoD: Did you already get all the tattoos that you wanted or will you get some new ones in the future?
Ophelia: For the moment, I've all what I wanted but I never say never...

RoD: Are all your tattoos done by one tattoo artist or by different ones? How do you choose the tattoo artist? In addition, who draws your sketches?
Ophelia: Two different tattoo artists have made my tattoos. Hayako, a tattoo artist in Paris made the Celtic one, Siouxink, also in Paris, made the Sphinx moth and draw the sketch of it. In the two cases I wanted very thin and delicate tattoos. I found these characteristics in Hayako's and Siouxink's work, that's why I trusted them for my projects.

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RoD: Getting tattooed hurts, how do you cope with the pain during the sessions?
Ophelia: Coping with the pain is very easy for me, I don't find it very painful actually.

RoD: Do you regret getting tattooed sometimes?
Ophelia: No, they are parts of my identity and my history. They both have important significations for me so I don't think I'll regret them someday. Plus, I think that they make me sexier.

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?
Ophelia: I'd never tattoo my face but it's a very personal opinion, only concerning myself because I saw some people that really look good with, it's not just for me.

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?
Ophelia: Indeed, some people say that it's an addiction. About me, it is not, I choose my tattoos in a very scrupulous way and only if they have a real signification for me. If I don't feel the need to get more in the future anymore, my Sphinx moth will be the last one, I can totally consider it.

RoD: Currently, 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?
Ophelia: I think that people have to follow their desires, some like doing tattoos on a whim, why not? Sometimes spontaneity can be fun too, I just hope that these people won't regret it later. About tattoo artists, of course they are not all the same, certain ones don't even hesitate to refuse a project when they don't find it artistically interesting and at the same time, the art of tattoo has become more democratic, it's a business like another nowadays and like in every business, the client has to be satisfied, I don't blame tattoos artists for that, their art has become a real job.

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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?
Ophelia: Tattoos are not perceived the same way in every countries. In France, I know that tattoos, as well as piercings or hair colours, still can be a problem in the working environment. Myself, I have already had difficulties to get jobs because of that. It is more and more common to see tattooed people in the streets here in France but preconceived ideas here are still well alive, especially within the older generations.

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?
Ophelia: I would advise people to choose something that really sticks to their personality and reflecting seriously about it. After all, they prepare themselves to get something indelible on their skin. Personally, I love black and white tattoos, this game between shadows and lights but one more time, everybody' has different tastes. After that, the choice of the tattoo artist is primordial, even if the first tattoo is always very exciting, no need to rush, it's important to consult different tattoos artist's work with attention and check if the feeling is good with him/her. My practical advice would be to lead an healthy life as much as possible before and after getting tattooed, the skin always react better when it's well fed and oxygenated, also scarring is pretty much easier.

Project by Daria Tessa and Daniela Vorndran, Interview by Daria Tessa
Pictures by Daria Tessa (https://www.facebook.com/tessaswelten)
Special thanks to the NCN Festival for supporting the project and for giving opportunity to take pictures.

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