Modern Primitives: An Investigation of Contemporary Adornment & Ritual

by V. Vale

Book Overview

First published 20 years ago, Modern Primitives is still called "the bible of the tattooing-piercing underground." Here is a celebratory reprinting, complete with a new introduction by original editor/publisher V. Vale.
Interviews with 15 tattoo and body modification artists. Modern
Primitives examines a vivid contemporary enigma: the growing revival of
highly visual (and sometimes shocking) "primitive" body modification...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1889307262
• ISBN13: 9781889307268
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: Re/Search Publications
• Length: 228 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.9" x 9.9"

Customer Reviews

the philosophy and the work

This has several excellent articles by the master of the Modern Primatives (Fakir) detailing rituals and works over a very long period of time throughout his life, as well as several others at the forefront of the scene and some relatively unknowns too. This book definitely takes a more serious approach to the philosophy and work of the movement beyond just a dinky tattoo or piercing, and talking about body modification and discipline which are absolutely more relevant, interesting and visually complex. Re-search is a great source for any subject that it is on, and to get these for like 5$ is a bargain of demonic proportions.

Deliciously Wonderful

"Modern Primitives" is easily THE best book that explores contemporary body modification. The book has hundreds of pictures, wonderful in-depth interviews with important figures and tons of other great content. Though it focuses primarily on those in the world of body modification today, it also refers back to the origins and meanings in past and present cultures.The interviews are relevant, interesting and very readable. You could sit down and read the text like a novel or you could simply refer to them for reference as necessary.The best part is that this book takes an approach that will speak to those reading for personal reasons *and* those reading for academic interest. "Modern Primitives" is entertainly while still highly intellectual. The text is not sensationalistic like many are; it does not set out to shock the reader or obscenely glorify body ritual -- but simply to educate and inform.

a book i keep picking up again and again

let me start by saying that i do very much like a lot of the books that have been published by "re/search".the title says it all: "modern primitives". published back in 1989 it was - as far as i know - one of the first publications looking into now trendy things such as tattooing and piercing. but don't let this mislead you; it goes beyond those topics!there are so many great, fantastic, unbelievable, excellent interviews with countless interesting personalities included. i was overwhelmed! still am! i've had this book for a few years now, but i keep re-reading lots of interviews again and again. here are some of the people that have had the opportunity to speak out in this book: don ed hardy, captain don, anton lavey, leo zulueta, bill salmon, lyle tuttle, vyvyn lazonga, monte cazazza, dan thomé, hanky panky, goodtime charlie cartwright, jim ward and genesis & paula p. orridge (of throbbing gristle / psychic tv fame).also, there are lots and lots of great photographs; (some by the fantastic charles gatewood). though not all of them for the faint hearted...this book is a must-have, imho, for anyone interested in stuff like tattooing and/or piercing.

Kicks a**!! Get it!!!

A must for all tattoo/scarification afficionados. Interviews are top notch. Chosen artists truly are the best at what they do. Found this to be a great resource for Masters Thesis at UC Berkeley on Contemporary tattoo. Did not put it down for hours once I got me wee hands on it...

Encyclopedic reference to tatoos, piercings, scarifications

A top notch reference book that features some of the most important names in the scene. If you are interested at all in tatoos, piercings, scarifications, body mods, surgical and non-surgical and a whole lot of other related stuff, this book is a great read and a must have reference.