Artwork: Flash tattoo designs by Kenneth Anger, The Haas Brothers, Mark Mothersbaugh, Sterling Ruby, Analia Saban, and Henry Taylor available exclusively at Gagosian, LA Art Book Fair 2017.
Imagine having a tattoo by no less than from artists Kenneth Anger, The Haas Brothers, Mark Mothersbaugh, Sterling Ruby, Analia Saban, and Henry Taylor decorating your body from now to eternity. Here’s your chance to get tatted up, as Gagosian will host ”FLASH FLASH FLASH,” a pop-up tattoo parlor at their booth during Printed Matter’s LA Art Book Fair from February 23–26, 2017.
Also: Profile | Jonathan Shaw: Vintage Tattoo Flash
The “flash” tattoo first came into vogue around the turn of the twentieth century, when tattoo art was an underground phenomenon consigned to the realm of sailors, soldiers, and outsiders. Using archetypical designs like a pin-up girls, skulls, daggers, or “Mom” in a heart, flash tats got their name because they were the first to use electricity in the process. You’d simply pick your design from one of the drawings of cardboard hanging on the wall, the tattoo artist would replicate it on your skin, and off you would go.
©Kenneth Anger
The rise of flash tattoos over the twentieth century gave the medium new life, transforming it from the margins of the fringe to the center of mainstream culture. Now it reaches a new pinnacle of success as Gagosian presents a pop-up tattoo parlor offering original, readymade flash designs commissioned from some of the most iconic artists of our time.
Christina Harris and Louis Perez III of Mark Mahoney’s Shamrock Social Club will work the booth, delivering quality application of the designs to your flesh. Each original flash artwork has also been produced as a print on paper by The Lapis Press in Los Angeles in an edition of six. After the sixth edition is administered, the design will be permanently retired.
©The Haas Brothers
The 2017 edition of “FLASH FLASH FLASH” follows the booth’s success during 2016 New York Art Book Fair, where 36 people received tattoos from designs by Crave fave Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Devendra Banhart, Douglas Gordon, Kim Gordon, Max Hooper Schneider, and Richard Wright.
The tattoo designs are acknowledged in a special-edition book designed by Brian Roettinger. In addition to the permanent tattoos, prints, tote bags, books, posters, and a selection of Gagosian’s publications will be available for sale at the booth.
You can preview the tattoos and book appointments HERE
© Henry Taylor
About the LA Art Book Fair:
Dates & Times:
Preview: Thursday, February 23, 6–9PM
Free & Open to the Public:
Friday, February 24, 1pm-7pm
Saturday, February 25, 11am-7pm
Sunday, February 26, 11am-6pm
Location:
The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA
152 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
© Sterling Ruby
Miss Rosen is a journalist covering art, photography, culture, and books. Her byline has appeared in L’Uomo Vogue, Whitewall, Dazed Digital, Jocks and Nerds, and L’Oeil de la Photographie. Follow her on Twitter @Miss_Rosen.
