This document discusses how tattoos can be seen as performative acts. It touches on how tattoos reflect personality, their social status progression from taboo to respected, and how getting a tattoo is a liminal performance event involving the tattoo artist, the person getting the tattoo, and reflection of identity. Bell's 7 elements of performance are also referenced as relating to the topic.

1. Boundaries of performance
Tattoo artists

2. Ritual
• Preparation

3. Idols
• Pioneers
• Experimentation

4. How are tattoos performative?
• Reflection of the personality – showing people
• Vanity

5. The event of getting a tattoo

6. The tattoo-artist

7. The bearer of the tattoos

8. Liminality

9. Getting a tattoo – its status as a
performance event

10. The social status of tattoos today
• Taboo in the past
• Respected today
• Seen as elitist
• ‘Designer’ tattoo parlours vs cheap shops
• Celebrities with tattoos
• An accessory

11. Bell’s 7 elements