by Roy Blumenthal on November 30, 2006
Yup. That’s me. With my brand new tattoo.
I’m into deep irony. Which is why the text reads, ‘Right Arm. Property of Roy Blumenthal.’
However, most people don’t really GET irony. It sorta slides over their heads. Which is why I didn’t opt for the deepest irony of all… to have this tattoo upside down.
That’s ULTRA-deep irony, cos it implies that the tattoo is for my benefit alone, so I can look down and know that it’s my RIGHT arm, and to remind myself who I am.
But that’s waaaaaay too subtle. Most people seeing that would go, ‘Roy — why’s your tattoo on upside down?’ And then I’d have to explain about deep irony and all that.
Now, they get the gag immediately. It’s a sight gag, and it’s an immediate laugh.
When I was showing the design to friends and strangers before I committed to it, I got this comment quite a few times: ‘Roy, it’s funny NOW. But will YOU still find it funny years from now?’
The short answer: ‘Who knows?’
The long answer: ‘Tattoos are forever. I’ve been ironic since birth. I think I’m optimistic that this one’s a keeper.’
Oh… one thing… if you’re thinking of asking… Yes. It is indeed on my right arm.
This painting was made in my bedroom, on my Toshiba Tecra M4 tablet pc, using ArtRage 2.2 painting software, with me wearing a deep red sarong and a t-shirt, listening to Paste Magazine samplers on my mp3-playing Nokia N91, with the scent of Zam-Buk antiseptic cream wafting off the tattoo, and a highveld thunderstorm smashing the sky outside. And yes. I’m still dating. And I remembered to eat tonight.
by Roy Blumenthal on November 29, 2006
It’s NOT as sore as people make out. In fact, it’s even below the flinch threshold.
I’m talking about getting a tattoo.
I went to Kevin’s Kustom Tattoos yesterday afternoon with my design in hand.
The lovely Ethel did the hard work.
And I listened to my music on my Nokia N91.
While reading AS USED ON THE FAMOUS NELSON MANDELA: Underground Adventures In The Arms and Torture Trade by British comedian and activist, Mark Thomas.
Thanks to Mark Thomas there were a few dodgy moments when Ethel had to pause for my laughing to stop.
This is a painting of me getting the tattoo. Soon I’ll upload a rendering of the actual design. And you can laugh your head off and say, ‘Sheeeeeesh! Roy DOES do his very best to come across as a wise-ass eccentric.’
And you’d be right.
Now give them a call. And go get yourself inked. Here’s the number of the Cresta branch: +27 11 678 1595. And no… I do not receive free tattoos from them. I paid full price for mine. They just happen to be one of the best tattoo parlours in Africa, according to tattoo types.
This painting was made in my bedroom on my Toshiba Tecra M4 tablet pc using ArtRage 2.2 software with me listening to STADIUM ARCADIUM by The Red Hot Chili Peppers and noticing that it’s now 2am and I forgot to have supper! Damn.
by Roy Blumenthal on November 29, 2006
This is a spec painting of South Africa’s great bad-man, Jacob Zuma. He’s the presidential hopeful who was accused of rape and acquitted.
He did admit to having unprotected sex with the woman, even though he knew she was HIV positive. He claims that he ‘had a shower aferwards‘, and believes that that would ensure that he doesn’t get the virus.
He’s also involved in all sorts of corruption allegations.
And the bad news is that he is South Africa’s equivalent of George Dubbya Bush. He’s likely (in my cynical opinion, anyway) to be elected in our next ‘democratic elections’. Which is, frankly, terrifying.
The populace love him. They cheered when he was let off the hook. This country could be in some very serious trouble.
Back to the painting… I’m kinda hoping one of the big newspapers in South Africa will use it for their year-end publication. Cos Mr Zuma will be sure to feature as a superstar personality of the decade. Sheesh. What a loser.
This painting was made in Mugg & Bean, Cresta, with innocuous music playing in the background, using ArtRage 2.2 painting software, on my Toshiba Tecra M4 tablet pc. My arm is burning as I speak. All will be revealed.
