Video: “Skin” A Film by Ryan Hope

In March 2011, a group of people volunteered to be part of a contemporary art project. The project would involve some of the biggest names in the art world and would ask serious questions about what, exactly, constitutes art?  Directed by Ryan Hope, Skin is an examination of tattoo culture as high art and a film that tests the boundaries of the medium and the human body. The film features contributions from notable artists such as Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons and Raymond Pettibon, in association with Dasha Zhukova’s Garage Magazine. Now thanks to Christie’s and W Hotels the entire 40 minuet artistic endeavor can be viewed online.

Skin from Stamp on Vimeo.

Video: Freddy Corbin Profile for Tattoo Age

This month’s Tattoo Age focuses on artist Freddy Corbin. In the first installment of the series we get familiar with Freddy's tattoos as well as see his two Oakland tattoo parlors, Temple and Tattoo 13. Freddy's style is further explained by his right hand man and fellow tattooer, Jason Mcafee. We also got a chance to speak with another Oakland legend, pro skater and chopper guy, Max Schaaf, about understanding Mr. Corbin's coolness.

Freddy has a long history in tattooing. Having worked with people like Dan Higgs and Ed Hardy early on in his career, Freddy has witnessed and made some important tattooing throughout his career. The second episode also has some great archival, courtesy of Michael O. Stearns, from some tattoo documentaries in the early 90's.



In the third and final part of the series and what might be the most personal of all the Tattoo Age episodes, Freddy talks about his family, the birth of his son, and what it took to get him clean from drugs. Freddy also opens up about an epic trip to India to tattoo the people of Varanasi for free on the banks of the Ganges River.

Video: Mike Rubendall Profile for Tattoo Age

Mike Rubendall is different than all the artists  featured so far on Tattoo Age, and what makes him so different is that he primarily works in the suburbs. One wouldn't think of Massapequa, New York as a hotbed of tattooing, but it probably has more quality tattoos per capita than any other city in the world. In part 1, we hear from Mike’s co-workers Grez, Justin Weatherholtz, and Matt Breckerich about what it's like working with Mike at his shop, Kings Ave Tattoo, and what makes their clientele so different

In part 2 we hear how Mike began his career in the world of tattooing with the help of his mentor, Frank Romano. Also featured in this episode is some rare archival footage of Mike getting tattooed by one of his major influences, Filip Leu.

In  the third and final part of Mike’s profile we get some insight into how the artist juggles two shops, three children, and his own tattoo schedule to make it all work.

Video: Troy Denning Profile for Tattoo Age - Part 3

We got part 3 of Vice and New Era’s fantastic Tattoo Age series highlighting tattoo artist and head honcho of Invisible NYC, Troy Denning.  In the third and final chapter of this profile we explore the Invisible NYC crews love of leisure time activities, and the special bond that fellow tattoo artist Kiku and Troy have…

Video: Troy Denning Profile for Tattoo Age - Part 2

We got part 2 of Vice and New Era’s fantastic Tattoo Age series highlighting tattoo artist and head honcho of Invisible NYC, Troy Denning.  Part 2 of this profile showcases Troy’s knowledge of history and culture as the piece opens up with a humorous clip of Troy taking part in an episode of Cashcab, he cleans up. Troy also talks about how he got his start in tattooing the influence of Aaron Cain, working at Everlasting Tattoo and the inevitable mistakes one makes when first getting into the business, enjoy….