Mansard Roof

21. Cooper Union Art Student. "All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist as one grows up." Picasso

[skindeeptales]

Coen Mitchell

[lalcia]

amazing

[badmagictattoos]

Hi! I just stumbled upon your blog, and one of the very top posts on this page right now mentioned something about mandalas and how its wrong or inappropriate to tattoo them if you don't believe--i'm sorry i'm paraphrasing so i may be quoting (tho not really) incorrectly--and i'd like to know why is that? I very much like mandala tattoos because of their design, and have been wanting to design my own or something that looks like it but is a part (i was thinking of a sternum tat so it wouldn't be

a full circle). I dont want to be ignorant and am genuinely curious about your answer and the information. if you’ve answered this before, i don’t mind if you just point me to the post or info on the internet that would answer my question. Thanks! :)

The short answer is that it’s cultural appropriation.

The long answer is that “cultural appropriation” is (to steal the wikipedia definition): “the adoption of cultural elements, taken from minority cultures by members of the dominant culture, and then using these elements outside of their original cultural context.” [emphasis mine] This is a problematic power dynamic, especially as it encourages the use of minority cultures as decorative elements for the dominant culture, while at the same time discouraging said minority community from practicing their culture or taking part in the original cultural context.

Enjoy the designs, but if you are tattooing them onto yourself without understanding or recognition of their cultural or religious significance as Buddhist and Hindu ritual symbols, you are engaging in this type of (let’s call it what it is) racism. 

Let me also point out that “mandala” means “circle” in Sanskrit. If it’s a not a full circle, it is not a mandala. Tattooing a “mandala” without knowing that means that you are taking on, as decoration, a ritual symbol that you literally don’t know the meaning of.

If you are interested in a circular or semi-circular tattoo, there are plenty of pretty designs you can use without adopting spiritual or ritual imagery from a culture you are not part of, and whose context you do not fully understand. If you look into your own culture, it’s possible there are designs that could be utilized for that tattoo. Alternately, you could find culturally neutral designs (like the anon with the English lace doilies) that would be pretty— for example, look at the geometric patterns of oculi and rose windows in churches or Macedonian, Greek or Roman mosaic patterns.

The REALLY IMPORTANT version of the answer by someone whose life is impacted by this is here.

[lalcia]

Thank you for answering my question! I hadn't know some of this and didn't understand, but now I do. 

[lalcia]

FREE DOWNLOAD HERE: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dirty-south-presents-phazing/id511413155 01. Deniz Koyu vs Porter Robinson vs Dirty South – Bong vs Unison vs Alive (Dirty South Bootie)   02. Michael Woods vs. Nero – Bullet vs Promises (Dirty South Bootie) 03. Alesso – Clash 04. Michael Brun & Special Features vs. Gotye – Synergy vs. Somebody You I Used To Know (Dirty South Mashup)  05. Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl feat. Georgi Kay – In My Mind (Axwell Remix)  06. John Dahlback feat. Urban Cone & Lucas Nord – Embrace Me (Dirty South Remix) 07. M-3ox & Matisse & Sadko vs. Temper Trap – Beating Of My Heart In Sweet Disposition (Swedish House Mafia Bootleg)  08. Danny Freakazoid vs John Dahlback vs Third Party vs Dirty South & Thomas Gold- Raise Your Pyramid vs Feel vs Eyes Wide Open (Dirty South Bootie) 09. Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso vs. Dirty South feat. Rudy – Calling vs Phazing (Dirty South Bootleg)  10. Dirty South & Alesso – City of Dreams 11. Nari & Milani vs. Florence & The Machine – Atom vs. You’ve Got The Love (Dirty South Mashup)  12. Dirty South vs. Daft Punk vs. Hard Rock Sofa – Coming Home Aerodynamic Quasar (Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso Bootleg) 

[lalcia]

so happy i cut my hair two weeks ago. pixie cuts ftw

ive come to realize this haircut might be my road to salvation because now guys won't approach me at shows and concerts because I DONT HAVE LONG HAIR HAHAHAHAHA. except theyd totally notice my ass and then that still wont work. oops...

still, it makes me wonder how the dating scene might change (kinda?) for me because so many guys do like long hair on girls, rather than short hair.

but it just seemingly suits my face more... or at least so many friends tell me that im probably one of the few ppl who could pull off this kinda haircut.

hmmmmmmm

the universe always works in mysterious ways, i'm just hopin for positive outcome... and a dash of self motivation on my part :0

[subtracendente]

[saint-nothing]

Lupita Nyong’o was absolutely stunning tonight and I’m really happy for her on her award, her speech nearly made me cry.

Jennifer Lawrence looked amazing too, she’s incredibly talented, and I’m sure she feels really accomplished for even being nominated for an oscar. Now can everyone stop making her look like some sort of beacon of ignorance and racism because it’s really annoying and stupid.

[lalcia]

PREACH!

[lalcia]

whenever I’m traveling I always get tripped out at the fact that this is someone’s actual hometown like they know every back road and how to get everywhere and they’ve probably had tons of memories in this city

but I’m just someone passing by

[maudit]

[lalcia]

jijiiiiiiiii

[decisivo]

[lalcia]

ughhh i love dylan obrien 

can i find me a guy who looks good with AND without glasses on?

[gangstersgish]

There has been a lot of debate circulating Tumblr lately about Disney’s upcoming film Frozen. A lot of this debate was sparked by the fact that the character design of the film’s heroine, Anna, is strikingly similar (read: identical) to that of Rapunzel in Tangled. Implications of lazy animation...

[lalcia]

this is incredibly eye-opening and now i am going to find the full version of the snow queen to read because that sounds like an amazing read.

[taurgo]

I have to say

As much as I liked Frozen, I feel Hayo Miyazaki was cheated out of the oscar. His work is completely beautiful.

[voldy92]

[my-august]

Anyone know the original photographer?

[voldy92]

lolz hi I am the original photographer, the credit was removed ages ago (here)

[preludetowind]

Toshio Suzuki at the Oscars for his Best Animated Feature nomination for The Wind Rises.

[lalcia]

c'mon universe, work your magic for me.

i know you've got something awesome comin up.

[lalcia]

I'm so excited for my Islamic Art and Architecture class next semester. ahhhhhhh already getting an art boner. possibly the one class i'm gonna love all semester long. :D for now, though, i'm gonna have to enjoy this well needed break.  it's good to get away from everything, although it would be much better if I was on a plane going even further away P:

also i've just went on a saving images spree of all kinds of islamic architecture/art images from the internet. and then tomorrow im gonna read up on some stuffs and then next week i have decided i will go to the met (hopefully they havent changed their policy yet...) to see their islamic art+arch collection. i'll have to drag my friend to it hehehe

yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 

c:

life's pretty good

[sorryzombie-deactivated20141227]

im really sick of reblogging those “reblog and i’ll make you a thing based off of your blog” and getting jack shit so im doing my own to satisfy myself in a way

reblog this and i’ll make you a little avatar based off of your blog

it’ll look something like this

isn’t that fucking cute

ok bye

[bloodfxck]

Hella

[lalcia]

oh man in middle school and little bit of high school i was crazy about playing Gaia! i loved making the avatars on a generator............. :( miss it

[craicalaic]

x