21 July 2007

I'll eat your liver and still look fabulous.

Jean Paul Gaultier's latest ads are very intriguing... His recent couture collection uses influences from colonial times, and these ads are utilizing Maori face tattoos. In the mid 1800s, the Maori people in what is now called New Zealand were colonized by the british. The British were fascinated by the cannibalistic rituals of the Maori warrior... and taking note of the popularity of the Hannibal Lecter films, the rest of the western world still is as well.

"We now live in a world where those we once called exotic live among us, defining their own identities, precluding our ability to define ourselves in opposition to "others" and to represent our own culture as universal." source





8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jean Paul is my fave designer ever - more than McQueen.

As a Kiwi I am amused and entertained by the use of Moko on the models. Maori are very protective of such Moko being tattooed permanently. Elders are supposed to approve them (not officially, more in a blessing way) for people who have earned them. However many gang members have facial tattoos without such blessing obviously. Needless to say they were not impressed with Robbie Williams's Maori design tattoos but they approved of Ben Harper's as Ben spends a lot of time in NZ (and with Maori) and owns land.

Anywho I always look forward to new collections from Jean Paul. He is under-rated IMO.

Anonymous said...

i like that quote used. the european models with the exotic warrior paint, like everyone has a bit of warrior in them. appreciation rather than wonder, recognizing someone's inherent wildness.

Anonymous said...

Funny looking dude with a lady's moko on his kanohi - perhaps JPG should have gotten himself a "cultural advisor"...

Moko to the chin alone is for the realm of women, not men (and the nose job doesnt make it any more appropriate). Hei Kona

Anonymous said...

We sometimes regret that we live in a global environment, where not just the liver, but the soul is consumed as well. Designers like this prey upon the art forms and heritage of my people, and tell us to be flattered by their noticing our aesthetic genius. Watch out for a big glamorous Penguin book, Mau Moko : the World Of Maori Tattoo, coming in Dec 2007. And get a sense of what moko - the patterns on MY face - really mean.

Anonymous said...

It's interesting that the French see fit to strongly protect their language and culture but see it completely appropriate to expropriate (i.e. steal) from others (in particular indigenous cultures).

TangataWhenua.com

Anonymous said...

It is very unfortuate that we have ignorant people in the world. People who disrespect a custom that has been used for many centuries. Its sad to see these models with the moko; knowing they have no clue on what it means to the Maori People. Shame on you!!!! And for using it for money is even worse... You all better pray it doesn't come back to you....Karma isn't a joke!

JohnKnutson said...

Here's a piece of animated typography that rather nicely echoes these tattoos.

John

Anonymous said...

WHO IS THE 3 GUYS IN THE FIRST PICTURE WHERE ARE THEY FROM THEY HAVE NICE TATOOS