This seminar was divided into two groups, we were allowed to discuss the Dermablend advert that included Rick Genest or talk about an artwork named 'Blood Head' by Marc Quinn. I was sectioned off into the Dermablend group.
'What are cultural texts? Consider who made and produced it. Think about theoretical frameworks. When and where was it produced and made? Consider the site or space in which it is viewed/consumed. Is there an intended audience? Consider the origins. How does the context impact upon ways in which we read/understand the 'cultural text'?'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mIBKifOOQQ - the advert
I was quite happy that I was chosen to discuss this topic; one because I have more than one tattoo, but two because I've always had a birthmark that I have always disliked. It got to the point a few years ago where I went to the doctor about it and I asked for it to be removed; instead she suggested that I thought about my decision a little bit more and she referred me to the British Red Cross, where they were able to give me some cover up cream that matched my skin tone. I used the cream for a while, but it didn't entirely cover up the area I didn't like, so I have had to try and learn to love it. I have also thought about getting a tattoo around it, as it's a circle type shape, so have wondered if my birthmark could be conveyed as a pendant/gemstone inside of the tattoo.
When I watched the advert for the first time, I didn't know whether to think that the tattoos were real or not. However, when the title of the Dermablend tattoo cover-up company appeared at the end of the ad, I begun to understand that this wasn't fake and that Rick was in actual fact tattooed to look as if he were a skeleton, although he does prefer to be called zombie boy. Genest was discovered by Lady Gaga's stylist and eventually went on to marry her; I thought that I recognised him from somewhere and it clicked in my head when this was mentioned - it was Gaga's music video 'Born This Way' that he starred in.
Back in the 70s, 60s, 50s, etc... tattoos weren't really worn by many people. I guess it could have been considered as more of a luxury and also it was probably more associated with males than females. People back then were probably put off as it has associations with a tribal, ritualistic and warrior type 'fashion', however this is deemed quite 'cool' now. Now, in the 2000s, it has become more of a cultural thing and it's quite normal for people to be tattooed, except heavily tattooed like Genest. It's quite a high culture, maybe that's because many celebrities such as Cheryl Cole follow this trend now.
Genest's tattoos represent death and decay... he's basically zombified himself. He must have been so sure when he had his face completely tattooed. I discovered that when he was younger, he had a brain tumor and spent six months on a waiting list; this kind of gave a 'living dead' feeling to him and it might have sparked his addiction to tattoos and the decaying theme. Rick also used to work in a circus and these can be deemed as freak shows/freak culture - he made himself seem as though he was different and that he had something wrong with him, just because he had made himself look entirely unique from everyone else. It was suggested that he was the 'illustrated man'. This can also have associations with the elephant man.
I don't quite understand what the advert is trying to convey... is the company trying to say that Genest uses the product, because I couldn't imagine that he would do that. It seems as though he wears his tattoos, or one big tattoo with pride. Or maybe, it's just trying to simply point out the obvious, if you want your tattoo covered, then this is the solution. But, surely people who get tattoos, get them because they want them to add to their image? I know that's the reason I have got mine. Although, I do understand that tattoos don't always look professional, but in this day and age where tattoos are more of a common thing, I think that they should be allowed within jobs and it's the same with piercings. On top of this, I have dreadlocks and I haven't yet discovered any places that wouldn't have me; I'm not sure whether this is because I have only had them for a relatively short period of time (a year). But, I understand that from forums and groups that I am part of, that other 'dreadheads' are pushed away; some have even had to brush or cut theirs out to get work. The other idea I thought the advert might be trying to point out is that you will always come back to who you are. Even though his body is covered in the cream and you cannot see his heavily tattooed body, once it's rubbed off, he returns to being himself. Tattoos are part of who you are.
