Preserved tattoos of the dead

The idea of preserving tattoos after death came into existence long before NAPSA. London's Wellcome Collection has over 300 specimens of preserved human flesh bearing tattoos, collected in the late 19th century. There are many more examples of smaller collections in Paris, Poland, Portugal, Berlin, and Austria. But what fascinates me the most is this lesser-known museum at Tokyo University, the Medical Pathology Museum, which houses pieces of skin collected since 1926 by Dr. Masaichi Fukushi.

"Fukushi would perform autopsies on donated cadavers and dissect off just the skin. He created a method of treatment to preserve the skin and kept them stretched in a glass frame, essentially like a leather. Later the ownership of the tattooed skin collection was passed on to Fukushi's son Katsunari. Katsunari added a further 20 tattooed skins himself and it's believed that the Medical Pathology Museum has 105 in its collection, many with full body suits."

[h/t: The Soul is Bone]

Comments

The Chameleon

Damon Albarn is a genius. He constantly reinvents himself, pushes his boundaries, and challenges his listeners. From the raw energy of Blur to the diverse soundscapes of Gorillaz, his solo work, and his collaborations with other artists, Damon has proven himself to be one of the most talented and unpredictable musicians alive.

A Look at Karl Arnaiz's "Duality"

It 's me, not the artist. Karl Arnaiz's "Duality" (currently on view at Eskinita Art Gallery ) is an invitation to ponder the complexities of life and appreciate the balance that exists even in differences. This 36 x 27-inch piece in charcoal and watercolor isn't just art that looks pretty on a wall. It's art that makes you stop, think, and maybe even re-evaluate how you see the world. Karl Arnaiz paints a meditation on death and its contrasting yet inevitable connection with life. In Duality, he explores the darker corners of the human experience. There is a certain sense of psychological imprisonment that permeates his work, as he paints a woman confined in a room with a disconnected skull floating against the wall. It shows how powerless humans are in the face of mortality and how the imminent passage of time from the woman’s face to the skull is simply nothing but a straight line, a blank, negative space on the wall, showing how nothing can obstruct death...

More Than Just Smiles and Sunsets

Ayala Museum is currently hosting "Amorsolo: Chroma" - a spectrum of brilliance you wouldn't want to miss. It is more than just a collection of paintings; it’s an experience. It’s a masterclass in light and color, a journey into the mind of a Filipino genius, and a fresh perspective on an artist many of us thought we knew. The first thing that you will notice you when you step into "Chroma" is… well, the chroma. While Amorsolo is famed for his mastery of light, this exhibition dives deeper into his entire color palette. It’s like entering a vibrant, living spectrum. Go check it!

finding cain

Search This Blog