grand blvd tattoo co
For thousands of years people have pigmented their skin for one reason or another in just about every known culture. In 1991 two tourists discovered the mummified remains of Ötzi the Iceman in a glacier in the Italian Alps. His 61 tattoos date back 5300 years. The ancient Greeks used them to mark slaves and criminals, and the Romans extended this practice to soldiers. Neither civilization indulged in tattooing the general populace, however; they associated the ink with the Britons, Goths, Thracians and other so-called “barbarians” from which they wanted to distinguish themselves.
According to early Judaism and Christianity, tattoos defiled a body made perfect by, and in the image of, their God. Roman Emperor Constantine outlawed facial tattooing when he converted to Christianity in 325 A.D. and Pope Hadrian forbade it altogether in the 8th century. For the next thousand years, Europe’s collective skin remained more or less unadorned. In the meantime, tattoos thrived almost everywhere else. In many parts of Polynesia, Asia, Africa and the Americas, tattoos were not individual choices but rather communal rites of passage.
During the age of European exploration some sailors were forcibly marked, others took a liking to this exotic art and even established tattoo parlors when they returned home. With their help, along with the influence of the more pictorial style of tattooing employed in Japan, the trend became fashionable once again in Europe.
Owner Martin Kazan studied at CCS but found he preferred a style that was lower brow, straightforward and easy to understand. Considering he’s drawing directly on a person’s skin, his background in design and color theory are paramount when creating work his clients are choosing to wear for their life’s journey. Intricate patterning in bold lines with dimensional shading ensure the piece’s longevity.
Adam Lux pulls from skateboarding and cartoons for his instantly recognizable imagery. He imprints only what’s necessary to deliver the essence and power of an iconic tattoo.
Ben Thompson subscribes to the shop’s commitment to tradition. Clean lines and a sense of composition deliver a piece that’s anything but basic as this ship appears to bend and roll with the waves.
Aware that tattoo establishments often come with a formidable sense of intimidation—which, let’s face it, badassery is part of the appeal—Martin Kazan and his crew create a relaxed space for anyone, whether looking for full sleeves or first ink, to acquire classic pieces that will hold up over time because tattoos are guaranteed to last as long as you do.
Open noon to 8P every day at Grand Blvd Tattoo Co 2898 W Grand Boulevard Detroit
*images courtesy of the artists
referenced from Discovery Magazine
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