Staying on the lower floor, one can find a showcase displaying Dürer’s drawings and, moving forward, a section that delves deeper into the content of the paintings, the themes, and the peculiarities of the artist, such as the portraits. One of these was tattooed on the back of a girl while she was studying art history as a profound homage to the painter. Another example is the internationally successful star Maxime Plescia-Büchi, who chose to have two figures from the painter’s monumental works tattooed: Adam and Eve.
The third floor is the most comprehensive and allows one to enter the true heart of the exhibition; here, Martin Küchle has created ten walls depicting the painter’s main themes. The entire exhibition uses every means and technology to allow the viewer to delve into this universe: QR codes, video reproductions, internet platforms, etc. Modernity as a tool to immerse oneself in timeless worlds.
As further emphasisation of this concept, a catalogue containing a selection of over 130 tattoos has been created; the volume was created by Oliver Frank, published by Christine Demele, and the Michael Imhof publishing house. It is a real art book in which concepts, stories, feelings, art, and expressions become testimony to a community.Experiences are recounted and sensations shared; the body, the theme of decorations, and timelessness are addressed and united in printed form.
The aim is also to debunk ancient stereotypes that have classified tattoos as a badge of criminals and outsiders. Here, and throughout the exhibition, the personal importance, the individual, and the unique stylistic choices are highlighted; experiences and sensations are discussed.
Tattoos are an ancient form of art, though often underestimated, requiring talent and manual precision from artisans… it is art and humanity; it is expression on a different canvas and, as this exhibition teaches us, a bridge between generations.