BOOKISH: War Paint's Kyle Cassidy @ Moonstone Art Center

Soldiers have been decorating themselves for centuries, whether it's the painting of faces during battle or the donning of military pins and regalia. In his latest book, photographer Kyle Cassidy gets the stories behind modern military tattoos.

0 comments

BOOKISH: War Paint's Kyle Cassidy @ Moonstone Art Center

POSTED: Thursday, June 21, 2012, 10:00 AM

Filed Under: Arts Books

Beyond the scars and battle wounds, sour memories and recurring nightmares that often mark a soldier's return to civilian life, many servicemen and women choose to voluntarily mark themselves with another kind of physical reminder: a tattoo. Whether it's a memorial to a fallen friend or the insignia of a specific platoon, tats serve as a permanent reminder of service long after the battle has ended.

In his new book, documentary photographer Kyle Cassidy chronicles the stories of these inked veterans with full-color portraits and often surprising details about the meaning behind their tattoos. Following the long-standing tradition of donning war paint during battle, contemporary military life is full of image-filled ritual, providing vivid inspiration for bodily art. While the standard eagles and anchors abound, many soldiers have chosen to elaborate on existing scars or depict a specific scene or portrait from the frontlines. With 20-plus years of photography under his belt, Cassidy has shot everyone from goths and metalheads to scholars and politicians.

For those unfamiliar with his past work, War Paint: Tattoo Culture and the Armed Forces exemplifies Cassidy's continued commitment to unveiling facets of American Culture often misrepresented by the mainstream media. Join him tomorrow at Moonstone Arts Center (110A S. 13th St.) for a free discussion about the book.

Posted by Nina Willbach @ 10:00 AM Permalink | Post a comment

0 comments

Comments (0)

PHILLY LOVE NOTES: An ode to Spruce Street
Q&A with SHARI SOLANIS: "The goal isn't pornography"
ICE CUBE: In Memoriam: Joe Tartaglia
CONCERT REVIEW & PHOTOS: James Blake @ TLA 5/11
SEXY TIME Q&A: I've never had an orgasm during sex with a man — and I'm 30!
Coming soon to Philly: Two cockamamie movie promotion schemes
What we're trying to do this weekend
Q&A with Tony Goldwyn: "Life is gray, and relationships are, too"
CONCERT REVIEW: Primus (3D & quadraphonic sound) @ The Tower 10/17
CITY PAPER WRITING CONTEST 2013: Send stories! Send poetry!

About this blog

Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

Follow Critical Mass editors Patrick Rapa and Emily Guendelsberger on Twitter:

@mission2denmark | @emilygee

Search this blog:

Topics:

Blog archives:

May
April
March

February
January

Past Archives: