Is Body Piercing Art?

Guest Column by Elayne Angel

This was my response to an email question from a student for a school project about whether or not Body Piercing is Art:

Body Piercing is most assuredly a form of art. It causes people to observe, reflect, and react. Sometimes they react with interest and fascination, at other times with disdain or revulsion. What else but art can elicit such intensity and range of human emotions?

Specifically Body Piercing belongs to the category of Body Art -- which has certain obvious limitations. There are restrictions not only to the bounds of the body, but by practicality (of where piercings can be placed and what can be worn in them) and myriad health and safety issues. Therefore, within these constraints the creativity lies in the ability of the piercer to combine technique and experience with the fantasy and wishes of the piercee to produce a truly unique accomplishment.

Having performed some 40,000 piercings or so, I can assure you that each human body is different. My artistic capacity also relates to my ability to utilize the unique anatomy of each individual to optimally place a piercing for aesthetics as well as functional and practical aspects. Further, my ability to share with a client my vision for their body and the way in which the particular jewelry complements, contrasts or coordinates with the anatomy, personality and lifestyle of the individual is also evidence of my artistic input.

The unusual relationship of a human canvas in Body Art requires cooperation and communication to ensure that the "work of art" is equally suited as a form of expression to both the piercer and the piercee.