In tattooing, as in any other fine art, there are many stylistic trends. Some of them have an established character, while others are only a short-term reaction to fashion. The first, in particular, can fairly be attributed to the young direction-thrash polka. Its pronounced nature and the rationale for its occurrence allow us to speak of a strict author's concept. Next, we will consider the characteristic features and symbolism of this popular trend in the world of tattoos.
Unlike most other trends, thrash polka can boast of a true history of its origin. We know not only the place of its origin (Germany), but also the names of the creators. One of the authors (Volko Merschsky) conceived a new style back in the early 70s, when he visited an American military base. He was impressed by the brutal tanks and strong soldiers. However, he took the first step towards creating his own studio ("Buena Vista Tattoo Club") only after meeting with a friend of his life - Simon Pluff. All this time, Volko was waiting and probing the ground (read the skin of customers) to loudly announce a new trend.
It is important to note that both authors have an art education and work experience as graphic designers. Their research in the world of tattoos began with the fact that they experimented with unusual material. Namely, paper newspapers, colorful fonts. Also, the birth of a new style was influenced by their love of black-and-white photography. Creating collages from newspaper clippings of tabloid reading, various color inclusions and their own drawings, the artists gradually got on the right track. Their conceptual style has received a charismatic name. Despite the existing eloquent translation of the word trash from English, they themselves name as a source of inspiration - the love of Gypsy culture. In addition, the couple is not limited to painting, but also tries himself in musical creativity. Their band Dobbs Dead is famous for the gloomy sound of country-folk and unique designer guitars of their own manufacture. That is, the origins of the young style should be sought in folklore.
They found the most suitable association for their tattoos in a fast folk dance-polka. They saw in it a number of fundamental principles applicable to their own creativity. First of all, this is a pair dance, symbolizing their tandem of authors. He is also temperamental and demonstrative enough to be recognized all over the world. Therefore, the combination of the realism of the incendiary dance with their abstract ideas in the field of graphics became a fairly good reason for such a fervent name. An unusual combination of words succinctly characterizes the daring spirit of the now popular direction.
The couple's various experiments with the graphics and font design of newspaper clippings led to an amazing result. The fruit of their creative work was a rebellious style of self-expression in relation to public morality, and maybe even a flashy style of self-expression. His aggressive and vulgar notes invariably cause a reaction from the audience. Often it can be negative, but never indifferent. And this is exactly what the young emerging direction needed.
Many people point to a certain decadence inherent in thrash polka. Allegedly skulls always carry heavy energy, and newspaper trash as a basis is initially unattractive. However, this is only a superficial look at the external expression of the style. People forget that one of the main goals of the colorful current was to challenge the glamorous society. To shake his moral foundations, to make him doubt them. If you want, this is a kind of author's irony over the bourgeois world. The careless attitude to the topic of death, the combination of lapidary newspaper inscriptions with bloody roses and parts of the skeleton-all this is intended to protest against the existing hypocritical standards. For example, when the government of some developed country declares concern for people, but continues to fight for resources in distant Africa. Therefore, the sardonic laughter and malicious mockery inherent in the skulls in thrash polka has a completely objective basis. In a sense, these are life-affirming drawings on the contrary.
The authors painted each other's bodies for a long time to find a suitable contrast. And the combination of rich shades of red and black was the answer to their silent question. At the same time, the tattooists themselves are not limited to only a bloody range. In their works, you can find carbon dioxide orange, marsh green and many others. This is already a popular rumor attributed to the style of a rigid black-and-red concept. The artists also needed a red tone to express the maximum contrast. That is, the color in this case is only a tool for the implementation of the idea, and not an end in itself.
Another element of the contrasting tattoo style can be called a bundle realism andgraphics . Together with the art of lettering, such images can eventually even border on fantasy. When beauty becomes a terrifying force that makes you shiver. This can be easily traced by the example of the same fallen angels. The use of bright images is invariably combined with the aesthetics of the repulsive. These are crosses, pistols, barbed wires and other frightening things unacceptable by Puritan society. That is, everything that really exists, but it is customary to turn a blind eye to. It can also be characteristic images of animals designed to cause fear in the viewer: black crows, pit bull terriers ' grins and other synonyms of the terrible. Excessive aggressiveness never stops tattoo artists in the style of thrash-polka. Moreover, they are looking for this maximum expression of thanatos to get catharsis. And red and black tones only enhance visual perception. To shock, to frighten, to suppress the will - all this is inherent in a powerful direction. The depressive coloring of most images is only a deceptive impression of the observer. Since the undisguised expression of an artistic message is fraught with the potential of a big bang.
We can safely say that there are no restrictions regarding gender here. Brutal tattoos look equally good on both men and women of the weaker sex. Unless it will be difficult to imagine them on a child, since he has yet to learn the inside of this two-faced world. Often provocative images are applied to the front part of the body: forearms,