Here the interview
Showing posts with label Interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interview. Show all posts
Swastika Myoshka
Myoshka: An Interview April 17, 2012 by Dorrell Merritt for Sang Bleu art, experimental, inspiration, Interview, portrait, tattoo The Enigma of Myoshka, is as equally revered as he is renowned within both the tattoo and art world alike. Inspiring a generation of practitioners, as well as collaborating with the likes of Thomas Hooper, Tomas Tomas and Xed Le Head, he has earned his name as a Geometrical genius: capable of boggling the mind and altering planes of vision through tesselative drawings, designs and Gif Files. Hundreds of dedicated followers of his complex style have shown permanent appreciation through both tattooing and scarring alike, allowing this realm of adornment to constantly have its boundaries tested and pushed forwards. SB: How would you define Myoshka? M: Myoshka is me now. It started off when I was designing stuff and there was a collective of us working. The name was created then with a creative partner of mine at the time. It came from the word Matryoshka; so it was taking about ideas from ideas and a combination of things making the complete entity. Post rationale, I liked it because it was Japanese (laughs). I’ve gone through various transitions from working as an art director, to working as a designer to then doing some freelancing. I’ve been doing advertising for 15 years, but that’s what taught me all the stuff which means I can do the art. At times there’s a little bit of hidden meaning in my work but other times is simply for aesthetic. At the moment, for me Myoshka is the Geometry. I never use my real name; not sure what that says about me. People don’t really know what I am or what I do: I like that. SB: So how did you discover Geometry? Was it through your day job, or through the likes of tattooing? M: I actually discovered it through Tomas; I knew about Geometry and had been designing before, but not in those ways. As soon as I saw his work, I was just drawn to it. There was just an energy between us and we started sharing stuff. It wasn’t a case of him sitting me down and telling me how to do things, it more me doing it on my own and then us catching up. The blog(s) started and we starting sharing things through that. He’s still a big inspiration for me now. Through that I met Xed and it really opened up for me.SB: Would you say your life revolves around your art? M: Yeah! If I’m not doing my day job, I’m doing this stuff: that’s how the Maharishi thing has come about. I’ve met some nice people along the way, like the blog said. A lot of them I’m proud to call friends; I wouldn’t have met Xed if it wasn’t for that, Matt Black… Jondix, even Thomas Hooper. Even though we haven’t met in person, I still feel as if we’re part of the same family. Tattooing is one of those things where it works in a similar way that I do in that it isn’t a job, its the tattooer’s life. So I’ve kind of drawn parallels in that respect. SB: So what is the creative process like in constructing such complex patterns? M: It can be any number of ways of working. Sometimes I see old patterns I like that I want to recreate, learn from and then create something new from that. Other times….it depends what mood I’m in. All of the patterns already exist in so many different ways, I just connect the dots. Some nights I’ll work and get nothing done. Other nights, I’ll just keep going or I’ll start something and 6 months later or 8 months later I’ll open that file again and I can see what it was, or what I was starting to get at. SB: How far back does Tattooing go, within your life? M: I think my earliest memory of tattoos was when I used to swim in my early teens: I used to train a lot. Every Friday we used to have to share the pool with the public, and there was this old boy and he would come with his full bodysuit and I just thought it was incredible. I thought the concept of it was amazing- Old School, sailor style tattoos- very, very heavy work. After that, it was when I was swimming for the England team, and was ill. They didn’t want me to infect the rest of the team so I had to sit on my own on the plane back to England. This guy turned up; tattoo artist and really crazy character. He was covered; I think they both planted the seed in my mind… SB: Lets talk about the work you have on your arms; are some of them your own patterns? M: I couldn’t be as so bold to suggest so (laughs). Its all geometry that already exists; its mainly a mix of Islamic and Japanese work. I got my first tattoo when I was around 15/16; Japanese Kanji, so I stuck with a theme there. Then I got this fella here, from the Soloman Islands… I think they were a few years apart… SB: Interesting evolution; did Tomas (Tomas) do all of the more recent work? M: Yeah Tomas has done most of the dotwork; we’re working on my front at the moment, which is one of my designs. Tomas and I learnt a lot during it; I’m still interested in the way that Tattooing works and is applied to the body, and so I can understand more what is achievable to the skin via my patterns; still working in 3-D. I know I have my fun on Photoshop, but applying to skin is not simple in any way. When we started it was a case of saying that we can get this pattern just to wrap, but once I started understanding that the arm isn’t completely cylindrical, then I began to fully understand the complexities. Xed and Tomas are the masters who are cracking this sort of stuff; they’re masters and they’ve dedicated their lives to it.SB: With this style of tattooing as well as tattooing in general gaining such a larger social awareness, are you happy to see such a progression? M: Yes; I mean tattooing for me is a very personal thing anyway but I think that its good overall that its growing: its another art form. But me being me, if everyone was getting tattooed I’m not sure if I would be so attracted to it . It still has a very different reaction socially, depending on where you are. Rarely do I leave the city, so I don’t get such negative reactions. If I was to go back to Singapore, where my mums from I know her family would have a very different view and it wouldn’t be as acceptable. SB: I’m always interested when people dedicate their whole body to a specific style. For instance those who have full Geometric bodysuits, but have no attraction to figurative tattoos, script etc. How was it in your case particularly? M: For me, this was the work I was attracted to and it’s about the relationship between me and the artist. It’s the art that spoke to me. I remember going through the flash book for my second tattoo, and then bang!- this one from the Soloman Islands hit me; it spoke to me and that’s what I ended up getting, but I had no idea what it was or what it meant. Years later in Amsterdam, a guy in an art shop, fully tattooed, asked me if I knew where my tattoo came from. When I said no, he scurried out the back of the shop and he came back with a big book and said to me that it was what the ancestors used to carve into the paddles, from the Solomon Islands- which was weird for me as my Granddad was from there. I did my selections differently in the beginning, but I changed how I approached tattooing as time went on. For my back I just said to Tas I wanted a dragon, and just let him rip. With Tomas with the last couple of pieces, we’ve been working more collaboratively and we’re learning along the way which is good fun. SB: Seems like a great co-existence of styles. I came across one of Iestyn (Flye’s) latest clients who had one of your designs scarred on his face; what was it like to see your work like that? M: The pattern that got cut into that guys face’ is one I’ve loved for ages, but never been able to get it right and then suddenly a few month ago I opened up the file again and got it! I just have the biggest amount of respect for things like that. I didn’t see it being done; I wish he had kept the skin, that could have been my next art project (laughs). Iestyn has done a few of my patterns; a guys hand, face- those are my favourites.SB: What creative background did you come from, before you began your journey with Tessellations and Geometry? M: Well I didn’t go to university; I did a B-tec in Media and got my work experience at a Graphic Design company where after two weeks, they gave me a job, which I turned down because I needed to finish my course, but began working there in my free periods. I did 18 months with them after I finished. I then applied for Central St Martins, but didn’t get it in the end- I was absolutely gutted. After doing flyers and youth orientated work for nearly two years, I decided that I’d try something a bit more corporate, so I went into more grown up Graphic Design companies. While I was there, I taught myself Flash and built a portfolio in it, and I then settled in London and worked up to an Art-Direction level but at that point I realised that digital was all great, but really it was motion graphics which was the next big thing. Not a lot of people could see that then though. SB: How significant is dot-work within your art? M: Well Dotwork is something that I discovered through Tomas’ work and was something he was using to express himself, which I and other practitioners have adopted over time. For me its about the life and the energy, its about that balance of negative and positive: I don’t like it when its too dense, I like it to breathe and for it to have this life. SB: What do you have planned for the rest of 2012? M: Well I have the screen prints, so hopefully by June I will have 23 ready for an exhibition, which should be at the Maharishi store- alongside the clothing, and the collaborative work with the brand. I started a project with Tas, which the Tibetan skulls. Tas has kind of done flash for it, then I’m going to render my illustrative version of it, and then we will screen-print those and then Tas will paint the backgrounds. It should be a good year www.myoshka.jp.
Swastika Tradtional Tattoo & World Culture Festival
A few days ago i had the chance to talk with Phil Cummins organisator of the Tradtional Tattoo & World Culture Festival. Since the festival starts at 3 june it's about time i give it some attention here so a little more people get informed to go to this unique festival
SwastikaBlog Q.
How far your with the set up now for the coming festival Phil?
About 75% done?
[Phil Cummins]
Just about
SwastikaBlog Q.
A little about last year and your idea and changes for this year
maybe organisation wise what is the big change this year?
[Phil Cummins]
Well, the biggest change is we are making it alot more affordable for people to come and making it alot more music based, we have 4 days this year and it will be fully packed with live music.
We will be having the suspension in a ritual teepee with a native american sweat lodge as part of the ritual
Pushing to make it even more spiritual than before, and bringing swastika to the forefront again, but really pushing the reclamation of it.
I have personally gained an even deeper knowledge of the spiritual importance of swastika since last year and my mission to reclaim it has changed somewhat.
Personally want to push the spiritual side of it, as i feel that is the most imprtant aspect of swastika at this present time it is some thing that is very important to me
Alot more so than before, the world is changing rapidly and i feel swastika is a very important part of that change, working on that bit.
I have to try and make as universal as possible with out coming across as a total lunatic
I have the support of lots more people than last year which is fantastic, swastika and the importance of this festival and the spiritual importance of it to me.
I have had the most difficult year i think i will ever experience, it is for the right reasons though
I believe i have been given a mission from god in some aspects to do this.
Like i said the world is changing rapidly and people need to be awakened and this festival is an important part of this.
SwastikaBlog Q.
You feel the strengt and the power to push a little harder
how i understand you?
[Phil Cummins]
My friend, i am going to push this as hard and as far as i can
i have strength like i have never had before.
Go here for some more info on the festival!
Swastika Manwoman Total Tattoo
A little piece of it:
The symbol appears in many cultures throughout history. Why do you think it keeps appearing in so many different times and places?
It's because it's a part of the archetypes of the inner foundations of the mind. There are universal symbols; like Karl Yung said, "If you slice through every religion there are universal archetypes: death, rebirth, the sacred mother giving birth to the divine child. And guess what pours through my dreams night after night? It's the archetypes but totally free from any organized religion. I see my duty as an artist and poet to refresh these archetypes. They're not going to change but they need to come out in a new form that we can relate to differently. When I see all these young people taking the swastika and playing with it, dancing with it, and making it into what it really is, it's just amazing. I feel like crying because I'm so excited. I come here and there are all these guys with their heads shaved and swastika tattoos on their faces, and it's like my dream is coming true. I better be careful what I dream of!
Swastika Ferank Manseed II
A few weeks ago i did a little presentation of Ferank for the festival in Cobh, Cork.
Now i had the chance to talk with him a little more!
Foto: Joanna
Swastikablog: From were came your interest for Swastika?
Ferank:
in the mid eighties i was experimenting a lot with dream machines and strobes.
myself and a friend built some crazy contraptions.after i used the dream machine i would
sit and draw obsessively and freely for hours.my hand kept trying to draw swastika forms and
i fought desperately to not draw them.
i didnt see the swastika as bad,i saw it around me in the hindu community where i lived at the time,
but i couldnt see a place for it in my art.
it was a joy and revelation to me when i first read Manwoman's interview in the Modern Primitives book by RE SEARCH.
it opened my eyes to how universal a symbol it is,which i didnt know.
Swastikablog: Can you tell me a little about the Buddist, start and live?
Ferank:
then very early into my tattoo career a piercer friend had me tattoo his hands and arms with beautiful swastikas.
they came out great and i continued to do swastikas on his skin.
we made a plan to have a ritual tattoo session in one of englands many stone circles.....
when i looked in my books for a suitable sacred site for the ritual i discovered the SWASTIKA STONE ,situated on Ilkley Moore,Yorkshire.
i had never heard of this place.we went there the next day and myself and two friends tattooed the swastika from the stone into our skin.
it was an awesome experience,very energizing.
from that moment on SWASTIKA came to me in many forms on a daily basis,it still does and i love it!
Swastikablog: Swastikas, Buddist, tattoo, what about that combination?!!?
How that comes out in tatto in live in general.
Ferank:
my interest in Buddhism began at a very young age at school when a teacher read us the book THE THIRD EYE,by LOPSANG RAMPA.
It fascinated my young mind.
as an adult it was the beautiful mandalas,thangkas and pictures of deity's that beckoned me to learn more...
im still learning..i hope it never stops.
the bodhisatva buddha is often shown with the swastika on his chest,representing four paths of buddhism,it is also directly linked to Vishnu the hindu god.
the SAYAGATA pattern is said to have been born from Vishnu's chest hair!!
it is a blessing.
i have a huge swastika tattoo on my ribs of the word YUNGDRUNG in tibetan script in a swastika form it translates as 'unchanging wellbeing'.
i try to do everything with COMPASSION,as i live by the mantra AUM MA NI PAD MI HUM.it is a beautiful and powerful mantra.
i only tattoo positive things,i refuse to do negative tattoos im a very positive person.
Swastikablog: I read you influenced quiet some people with your thinking reactions
and things are coming out of that, how you look at that?
(The festival, the movie etc..)
Ferank:
I travel constantly spreading the word of swastika and tattooing by hand,which is very portable.my studio fits in a small bag,i can take it anywhere......
so i do! i dont need electricity and i have a headlamp if it gets dark.im very lucky that i do something i love.very lucky.
influencing and encouraging others is something i will always do i think.i have always done this,its how i live.
i like to push people towards their creative passions and help them embrace that.art in all forms is so valuable and precious.
i was encouraged to live my dreams,i try to encourage others the same.
these are exciting , magical times.
Now i had the chance to talk with him a little more!
Swastikablog: From were came your interest for Swastika?
Ferank:
in the mid eighties i was experimenting a lot with dream machines and strobes.
myself and a friend built some crazy contraptions.after i used the dream machine i would
sit and draw obsessively and freely for hours.my hand kept trying to draw swastika forms and
i fought desperately to not draw them.
i didnt see the swastika as bad,i saw it around me in the hindu community where i lived at the time,
but i couldnt see a place for it in my art.
it was a joy and revelation to me when i first read Manwoman's interview in the Modern Primitives book by RE SEARCH.
it opened my eyes to how universal a symbol it is,which i didnt know.
Swastikablog: Can you tell me a little about the Buddist, start and live?
Ferank:
then very early into my tattoo career a piercer friend had me tattoo his hands and arms with beautiful swastikas.
they came out great and i continued to do swastikas on his skin.
we made a plan to have a ritual tattoo session in one of englands many stone circles.....
when i looked in my books for a suitable sacred site for the ritual i discovered the SWASTIKA STONE ,situated on Ilkley Moore,Yorkshire.
i had never heard of this place.we went there the next day and myself and two friends tattooed the swastika from the stone into our skin.
it was an awesome experience,very energizing.
from that moment on SWASTIKA came to me in many forms on a daily basis,it still does and i love it!
Swastikablog: Swastikas, Buddist, tattoo, what about that combination?!!?
How that comes out in tatto in live in general.
Ferank:
my interest in Buddhism began at a very young age at school when a teacher read us the book THE THIRD EYE,by LOPSANG RAMPA.
It fascinated my young mind.
as an adult it was the beautiful mandalas,thangkas and pictures of deity's that beckoned me to learn more...
im still learning..i hope it never stops.
the bodhisatva buddha is often shown with the swastika on his chest,representing four paths of buddhism,it is also directly linked to Vishnu the hindu god.
the SAYAGATA pattern is said to have been born from Vishnu's chest hair!!
it is a blessing.
i have a huge swastika tattoo on my ribs of the word YUNGDRUNG in tibetan script in a swastika form it translates as 'unchanging wellbeing'.
i try to do everything with COMPASSION,as i live by the mantra AUM MA NI PAD MI HUM.it is a beautiful and powerful mantra.
i only tattoo positive things,i refuse to do negative tattoos im a very positive person.
Swastikablog: I read you influenced quiet some people with your thinking reactions
and things are coming out of that, how you look at that?
(The festival, the movie etc..)
Ferank:
I travel constantly spreading the word of swastika and tattooing by hand,which is very portable.my studio fits in a small bag,i can take it anywhere......
so i do! i dont need electricity and i have a headlamp if it gets dark.im very lucky that i do something i love.very lucky.
influencing and encouraging others is something i will always do i think.i have always done this,its how i live.
i like to push people towards their creative passions and help them embrace that.art in all forms is so valuable and precious.
i was encouraged to live my dreams,i try to encourage others the same.
these are exciting , magical times.
Swastika My Swastika
On the festival will also be present TickleToc.Com wich is a filmproductionteam who are making an documental about the swastika. Since there gonna be a concentration of swastika people in the festival their presents is obviously.
I had a an interview with Dominick Crowley who is (Writer/Director/Presenter/Executive Producer) from the documental.
Swastikablog
From where you are or your productionteam?
Dominick Crowley
I am originally from Dublin, Ireland but have lived in many varied and interesting countries over the years.
I have lived in such places as Poland and Israel and after many adventures I came back to Ireland.
I returned to Ireland 8 years ago. After my return I teamed up with an old friend from Roscommon in Ireland
and we decided to establish a film production company.
We have been operating for the last 4 years as TickleToc.com. We usually use an Irish based team but for the Swastika documentary
we have enlisted the help of artists and professionals internationally. Canada, U.S, Great Britain, Italy and Israel.
Swastikablog
Where comes the intrest for the Swastika from?
Dominick Crowley
B) On my own spiritual journey through life I spent 10 years as a Hare Krishna.
I would often see the Swastika in pujas, services, spiritual paraphanelia and paintings and was very common in my life
and never really dwealt on it. I knew its true meaning from those early monastic days. It was not untill 2009 that I really took
an active interest. A close friend, Phil Cummins of Original Skin Tattoo, invited me to his beautiful country tattoo studio to
document his 8 year old son as he tattooed Phil. I had no idea what his son would tattoo just that I was to point the camera. The tattoo
was of Swastika. Later in the evening, Phil expressed his desire to reclaim the Swastika and spoke with great vigor and intelligence
on the subject. His energy soon passed on to me and soon I too started to see the need for a reclamation.
Through my research for the documentary my interest has become a culmination of my past spiritual adventures and my present pursuit
of artistic and vocational advancement.
Swastikablog
I guess you investigate all the parts of the world and use of the
Swastika, nowwadays we have the positive Swastika tattoo as a very big
influence in the altenative scene
how big you gonna use that part in the docu?
Dominick Crowley
D) So many of todays tattooists have read or heard of Manwoman. With the 1989 publication of Modern Primatives, Manwoman's
extensive Swastika tattoos and desire to recaim Swastika reached a wide audience of seasoned and budding tattooists, body artists and
alternative practioners all over the world. Now, near 21 years later, the seed Manwoman planted back then now grows very strongly
within the realms of body artists, tattooists more so.
Ferank Manseed of Mudra Ink is a prime example. Ferank is a traditional Buddhist Hand Poking specialist who travels globally and, on a
person to person level, teaches people about the true meaning of Swastika. My friend Phil Cummins is another. Both active in their
work as tattooist and both as equally active with Swastika. The Tattoo community plays a big a part in the documentary and it would
be impossible to make this documentary without featuring them in a major way.
Swastikablog
About the content of the movie what will be the most
imported part in the docu?.
Dominick Crowley
A) The most important part of the documentary, or any documentary, is truth. I could fill the documentary with special effects, V.I.Ps and a full orchestra sound track and try to make it look and feel "all Hollywood" but this would take away from the real feeling of what we are doing. We are after the truth. The information on Swastika we are using has to be examined and cross examined. If we suggest a theory on Swastika, if we give a dating to an artifact or if we see a weak spot in some bodies approach we have expose and present it, warts and all. We are trying to have incontestible fact. No sensationalisim or hyped up content. The truth shines through as they say. So by giving the bare naked data that we are collecting we know that people will see this as the most important part of the documentary
Swastikablog
There special things wich you want to add in the docu?
like what?
Dominick Crowley
A)Special effects, V.I.Ps and a full orchestra sound track. I joke. I cant expect the viewer to sit in a chair for 90 minutes, chewing raw data and expect to make an impact. They would be bored and their attention would wander. We will be using different visual effects to illustrate certain points or to enhance a scene. For example, we have thirty five 3D animators preparing a cartoon history of Swastika depicting the evolution from peaceful symbol to detested icon. We also have a digital graphic artist in Canada creating some amazing 3D Swastikas for graphic enhancement of the documentary. Also we have word that 2 well known celebraties may take part as an interviewees. So far everything looks great. A good combination of well researched information and stunning visuals will be sure to add that special something.
Swastikablog
How big gonna be the part of the 3rd reich?
Dominick Crowley
A) I would prefer to give a tiny part to discuss the 3rd Reich but in the reality of todays bannings and taboo I have no choice but to address it in a bigger sense. After all, it is due to the actions of the 3rd reich that all this controvercy comes from. With the documentary we are trying to bring a sense of healing and closure in regards to the Nazi's use of Swastika and the deep global psychosis that it has caused. If you were to go to a therapist with a problem he would ask you to address the problem that caused the illness. In that we we must address the activities of the 3rd reich and pick it apart. This could well run through the entire documentary. It would not take over the film but it would have to confronted.
Swastikablog
The internet wave of the Swastika movement is also very alive, how
you gonna approuche that?
Dominick Crowley
A) The Internet today is the most important tool for minority groups and organizations to share information and support the continuity of their thoughts and ideals. The World Wide Web has become as valuable as television or news papers in being an integral connection to modern society and its affairs. With the Swastika movement the internet is no different. We have noticed that the movement is extremely strong in this medium and is helping to spread information and views on Swastika. But with all things that allow free speech it also attracts censorship. I myself have had many situations where I am unable to view Swastika images which have been emailed to me, or refused to even use the word in email accounts, forum topics or mail headings. This draws into light the situation that many pro Swastika supportors face with apparent infringments on free speech, freedom of expression and privacy laws. I once was sent an image of a Swastika that when I tried to open it received a message saying that the content was unsuitable for me. So now I am being treated like a 5 year old being told what I can see and what I cant. I can walk into a sex shop and no one would stop me. I could walk into a bar and no one would stop me so why am I stopped from seeing an image that I choose to see, post or send. The internet has its own laws regarding what is legal and what is not, operating outside already established guidlines or government censorship laws. In addressing the Swastika's internet movement we discover more than meets the eye and deserves to be spot lighted. We intend to speek to such people as Amnesty international, human rights lawers and the big boys themselves, Google. So far they have not been the most easiest company to approach but to help the freedom of expression idea that the internet once stood for we must continue to prod and poke untill we get some answer.
Swastikablog
Is there also somethig you like to tell?
Dominick Crowley
A)Well the support that is now flooding in is amazing. When I first set out on this journey I had no idea of the extent that people would go to to help us along. It seems that it has now gotten to the extent that we have supportors jumping at us and offering no end of help. I had one Swastika supportor send me a very rare crystal to help with financing the film, another well know personality and Swastika lover offering his art and valuable time. The list goes on and on. But in saying that we are still a long way to go. It will take an extremely dedicated team to carry this project to a pinicle. There have been many times where I have hit a wall and put my hands up saying "What the hell and I doing taking on a project of this magnitude" but the very next moment its like Swastika sends me some inspiration to push me on. It really is a labour of love at this stage but I am too far in now to let small obsticles stop me. The Swastika Reclamation movement has now gone into hyperdrive. Why? I dont know. All I know is what I hear and what I hear is that Swastika is now ready to take the global platform and spread knowledge and truth. I am glad that Swastika has chosen me to be part of this incredible event. I am humbled by the whole experience and hope that Swastika will guide my hands and allow me to present something that will inspire, educate and move people toward welcoming Swastika home.
Presently we are a self financed project with no assistance from the Irish Film Board due to the sensitive subject matter.
We are open to donations and sponsorships to help this socially important project grow into the first class production it deserves to be.
If you would like to get involved please contact Dominick Crowley at myswastik@hotmail.com
To download this brochure from the docu and its makers go here.
I had a an interview with Dominick Crowley who is (Writer/Director/Presenter/Executive Producer) from the documental.
Swastikablog
From where you are or your productionteam?
Dominick Crowley
I am originally from Dublin, Ireland but have lived in many varied and interesting countries over the years.
I have lived in such places as Poland and Israel and after many adventures I came back to Ireland.
I returned to Ireland 8 years ago. After my return I teamed up with an old friend from Roscommon in Ireland
and we decided to establish a film production company.
We have been operating for the last 4 years as TickleToc.com. We usually use an Irish based team but for the Swastika documentary
we have enlisted the help of artists and professionals internationally. Canada, U.S, Great Britain, Italy and Israel.
Swastikablog
Where comes the intrest for the Swastika from?
Dominick Crowley
B) On my own spiritual journey through life I spent 10 years as a Hare Krishna.
I would often see the Swastika in pujas, services, spiritual paraphanelia and paintings and was very common in my life
and never really dwealt on it. I knew its true meaning from those early monastic days. It was not untill 2009 that I really took
an active interest. A close friend, Phil Cummins of Original Skin Tattoo, invited me to his beautiful country tattoo studio to
document his 8 year old son as he tattooed Phil. I had no idea what his son would tattoo just that I was to point the camera. The tattoo
was of Swastika. Later in the evening, Phil expressed his desire to reclaim the Swastika and spoke with great vigor and intelligence
on the subject. His energy soon passed on to me and soon I too started to see the need for a reclamation.
Through my research for the documentary my interest has become a culmination of my past spiritual adventures and my present pursuit
of artistic and vocational advancement.
Swastikablog
I guess you investigate all the parts of the world and use of the
Swastika, nowwadays we have the positive Swastika tattoo as a very big
influence in the altenative scene
how big you gonna use that part in the docu?
Dominick Crowley
D) So many of todays tattooists have read or heard of Manwoman. With the 1989 publication of Modern Primatives, Manwoman's
extensive Swastika tattoos and desire to recaim Swastika reached a wide audience of seasoned and budding tattooists, body artists and
alternative practioners all over the world. Now, near 21 years later, the seed Manwoman planted back then now grows very strongly
within the realms of body artists, tattooists more so.
Ferank Manseed of Mudra Ink is a prime example. Ferank is a traditional Buddhist Hand Poking specialist who travels globally and, on a
person to person level, teaches people about the true meaning of Swastika. My friend Phil Cummins is another. Both active in their
work as tattooist and both as equally active with Swastika. The Tattoo community plays a big a part in the documentary and it would
be impossible to make this documentary without featuring them in a major way.
Swastikablog
About the content of the movie what will be the most
imported part in the docu?.
Dominick Crowley
A) The most important part of the documentary, or any documentary, is truth. I could fill the documentary with special effects, V.I.Ps and a full orchestra sound track and try to make it look and feel "all Hollywood" but this would take away from the real feeling of what we are doing. We are after the truth. The information on Swastika we are using has to be examined and cross examined. If we suggest a theory on Swastika, if we give a dating to an artifact or if we see a weak spot in some bodies approach we have expose and present it, warts and all. We are trying to have incontestible fact. No sensationalisim or hyped up content. The truth shines through as they say. So by giving the bare naked data that we are collecting we know that people will see this as the most important part of the documentary
Swastikablog
There special things wich you want to add in the docu?
like what?
Dominick Crowley
A)Special effects, V.I.Ps and a full orchestra sound track. I joke. I cant expect the viewer to sit in a chair for 90 minutes, chewing raw data and expect to make an impact. They would be bored and their attention would wander. We will be using different visual effects to illustrate certain points or to enhance a scene. For example, we have thirty five 3D animators preparing a cartoon history of Swastika depicting the evolution from peaceful symbol to detested icon. We also have a digital graphic artist in Canada creating some amazing 3D Swastikas for graphic enhancement of the documentary. Also we have word that 2 well known celebraties may take part as an interviewees. So far everything looks great. A good combination of well researched information and stunning visuals will be sure to add that special something.
Swastikablog
How big gonna be the part of the 3rd reich?
Dominick Crowley
A) I would prefer to give a tiny part to discuss the 3rd Reich but in the reality of todays bannings and taboo I have no choice but to address it in a bigger sense. After all, it is due to the actions of the 3rd reich that all this controvercy comes from. With the documentary we are trying to bring a sense of healing and closure in regards to the Nazi's use of Swastika and the deep global psychosis that it has caused. If you were to go to a therapist with a problem he would ask you to address the problem that caused the illness. In that we we must address the activities of the 3rd reich and pick it apart. This could well run through the entire documentary. It would not take over the film but it would have to confronted.
Swastikablog
The internet wave of the Swastika movement is also very alive, how
you gonna approuche that?
Dominick Crowley
A) The Internet today is the most important tool for minority groups and organizations to share information and support the continuity of their thoughts and ideals. The World Wide Web has become as valuable as television or news papers in being an integral connection to modern society and its affairs. With the Swastika movement the internet is no different. We have noticed that the movement is extremely strong in this medium and is helping to spread information and views on Swastika. But with all things that allow free speech it also attracts censorship. I myself have had many situations where I am unable to view Swastika images which have been emailed to me, or refused to even use the word in email accounts, forum topics or mail headings. This draws into light the situation that many pro Swastika supportors face with apparent infringments on free speech, freedom of expression and privacy laws. I once was sent an image of a Swastika that when I tried to open it received a message saying that the content was unsuitable for me. So now I am being treated like a 5 year old being told what I can see and what I cant. I can walk into a sex shop and no one would stop me. I could walk into a bar and no one would stop me so why am I stopped from seeing an image that I choose to see, post or send. The internet has its own laws regarding what is legal and what is not, operating outside already established guidlines or government censorship laws. In addressing the Swastika's internet movement we discover more than meets the eye and deserves to be spot lighted. We intend to speek to such people as Amnesty international, human rights lawers and the big boys themselves, Google. So far they have not been the most easiest company to approach but to help the freedom of expression idea that the internet once stood for we must continue to prod and poke untill we get some answer.
Swastikablog
Is there also somethig you like to tell?
Dominick Crowley
A)Well the support that is now flooding in is amazing. When I first set out on this journey I had no idea of the extent that people would go to to help us along. It seems that it has now gotten to the extent that we have supportors jumping at us and offering no end of help. I had one Swastika supportor send me a very rare crystal to help with financing the film, another well know personality and Swastika lover offering his art and valuable time. The list goes on and on. But in saying that we are still a long way to go. It will take an extremely dedicated team to carry this project to a pinicle. There have been many times where I have hit a wall and put my hands up saying "What the hell and I doing taking on a project of this magnitude" but the very next moment its like Swastika sends me some inspiration to push me on. It really is a labour of love at this stage but I am too far in now to let small obsticles stop me. The Swastika Reclamation movement has now gone into hyperdrive. Why? I dont know. All I know is what I hear and what I hear is that Swastika is now ready to take the global platform and spread knowledge and truth. I am glad that Swastika has chosen me to be part of this incredible event. I am humbled by the whole experience and hope that Swastika will guide my hands and allow me to present something that will inspire, educate and move people toward welcoming Swastika home.
Presently we are a self financed project with no assistance from the Irish Film Board due to the sensitive subject matter.
We are open to donations and sponsorships to help this socially important project grow into the first class production it deserves to be.
If you would like to get involved please contact Dominick Crowley at myswastik@hotmail.com
To download this brochure from the docu and its makers go here.
Swastika Traditional Tattoo and World Culture Festival
I asked him a few questions about it.
Swastikablog
You're organising a festival wich only involves traditional tattooing.
You do that because there's a lack of these sorts of festivals or other reason?
Phil
The reason the traditional tattoo festival came into existense was because i met Ferank Manseed and over a beer in the pub we discussed how we both would like to put on a festival.
It was Ferank who had the idea of the traditional tattoo angle. The more we discussed it we decided it was a good idea as there are so few events of this kind.
Swastikablog
Then into the festival you have Manwoman as a guestspeaker to reclaim
the sacred swastika speech, for wich reason you invited him?
More into the festival are also some people doing a documantery about
the Swastika, could you explain me little about this?
Phil
My friend Dominic is making the documentary on the swastika, he decided to the movie because he was influenced by my swastika obsession
I have been a positive swastika collector and reclamationist for over 15 years. He originally wanted to do a short film for you tube but realised soon enough that swastikas story and history is far too great to put into a small film. and we decided it would be a good idea to ask ManWoman to be interviewed, and he agreed, but we had to fly him to Ireland as it would be cheaper than flying a film crew to Canada.
Only then when we had ManWoman confirmed, Ferank sugessted we definatly go ahead with the festival and ask ManWoman to speak. So from there the festival evolved. And from there the gentle swastika collective evolved, I needed to raise money to fly him from Canada to here so I came up with the idea of the collective. ManWoman liked it too, so alot of my friends who have been swastika reclamatonists joined forces and only the other night we had the first of hopefully many gentle swastika collective events.
Phil helping his son out.
Swastika Interview
Me And My Swastika.
Nerm asks if the time has come to wear his Swastika openly and freely.
Check out his radio interview down here with the link.
Interview
Nerm asks if the time has come to wear his Swastika openly and freely.
Check out his radio interview down here with the link.
Interview
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