Indigenous cultures have for thousands of years used Rites of Passage to acknowledge major milestones in a persons life. Tattoos were in many societies included as a key part of this process. From Australia to Samoa and Tahiti to North America, Vanuatu, New Zealand, Africa and Papua New Guinea both men and women were tattooed and adorned their bodies with jewellery and markings.

In this blog we will explore

- what a Rite of Passage actually is
 
- the elements that are common to all Rites of Passage
 
- the creation of 21st Century Rites of Passage
 
- the use of tattoos in Rites of Passage

We will also look at how a person can decide what tattoo to make a part of their life. It is a major decision to mark your body permanently and there is a big difference between a tattoo that represents events happening in the moment, the community or group that you belong to and your core essence or spirit.

I have been studying and creating Rites of Passage for nearly 20 years now. My training and early professional career was as a doctor. I sold my medical practice to work full time in the field of Rites of Passage. I believe people need Rites of Passage as a core part of their spiritual growth. I look forward to a fun and exciting exploration of the connection between tattoos and Rites of Passage.

Dr Arne Rubinstein ( mbbs, fracgp )

CEO The Australian Rites of Passage Institute

arne@heritesofpassageinstitute.com

Up for this years line up of tattoo award judges the beautiful Salem Kimberlee Potter will be gracing us with her presence at the show. Salem has lead a wonderous life as a singer and entertainer leading her through various bands such as the high energy Rockabilly band Salem and the Hellcats, and WEST TEXAS CRUDE!

Not one to be messed with Salem also created and owns Fists Full of Glitter Organic and Ritual Beauty. She is currently working on a new movie due out next year where she will be making her acting debut as a vampire in a remake of the classic “Count Yorga “vampire” wow, you rule sister, I hope she wins an Oscar!
The Tattoo Awards will be held daily at the tattoo convention rewarding tattoo artists and their resilient customers for a number of different nominations including ‘best black and grey tattoo ‘best realism’ ‘best japanese’ ‘best of show’ and many more. All submissions can be made on the weekend of Rites of Passage at the info/merch booth. For more information on the Tattoo Awards 2012 click here..

The votes have been tallied and the nominees are up. Get your votes in and be sure to catch the awards ceremony at the Rites of Passage Tattoo Convention & Arts Festival 2012 starting at 7pm Saturday the 27th.  CLICK HERE  to begin voting..

Marcus Kuhn is a world renowned tattooer and painter who has been tattooing for twenty two years. He has worked in Japan with the best tattooers in Osaka and Yokohama, tattooed in Argentina and Australia, and lived and worked in Paris and London for years.

He lives in Maine and spends half of the year traveling and tattooing all around the world. Marcus was one of the original NYC tattooers in the early eighties. He worked at the original Fun City on the lower east side when it was the only street tattoo shop in NYC.

He is currently splitting his time between NYC and Maine, tattooing and creating The Gypsy Gentleman.

The Gypsy Gentleman is a series of short films chronicling the travels of the Gypsy Gentleman. A travel documentary profiling the world’s greatest tattooers and the world’s most fascinating places. Each episode will present the city that it was shot in. They will go to the streets and give you the city as it feels to them.

Marcus will be profiling one cool spot per city, a record store that sells coffee and antiques, or an Italian shoe maker in Buenos Aires that has been there for a 100 years, or a sumi shop in Kyoto that has been there 500 years.

Each episode will conclude with a feast involving all the great people who have come together for that city’s filming. The message being- human interaction is the most important point; it is that moment together that is most important. Too often we miss the real highlights of being here.

Marcus and crew are gearing up to head over for the 2012 Rites of Passage Festival and to take in the delights of Melbourne, the creative capital of Australia. oh yeah

… FROM THE TEAM AT RITES OF PASSAGE

It is a pleasure to announce that the tickets are now on sale and this year, they are much, much cheaper!

In fact we have an amazing limited early bird special until the end of January 2012. Tickets are available through Greentix click ‘here’ to purchase tickets for 2012

Keep an eye out for the first run of ROP posters for 2012 with the masterful hanya mask by Jeff Gogue.

This image leaves the Rites of Passage team astounded!

Owen Williams from Tattoo Magic in Victoria is creating the official poster for Rites of Passage Festival 2012.  This masterful piece of artwork truly encompasses everything that is ROP 2012.

Owen you’re brilliant! xx

Once again our friends of Gomineko Books will be attending Rites of Passage 2012 and we are thrilled that they will be so generously exhibiting, as part of our tattoo history museum, Japanese woodblocks from the early 1800’s and some old scrolls and a book with antiquated pictures of tattooing and original ukiyo-e and tebori tools.

Have you seen goblins and ghoulies in Japanese Art and wanted to know more about them? Here is your chance.

Gomineko Books will be conducting a fascinating seminar on Japanese yokai and mythical creatures at the 2nd Annual Rites of Passage Festival – for more detailed information email Crystal at info@gominekobooks.com

The latest in the expert line of wonderful publications from Gomineko Books is Japanese Mythical Creatures due for release in February 2012 pre orders welcome through their website GOMINEKO BOOKS.

‘We are sooooooo excited about this years Rites of Passage festival in Melbourne this coming April 27-29. Gomineko Books will be there with Horimasa Bunshin-saikian, Horikazu, Souryu, Horishin Nobu and Horiken….. going to be epic. If you are going to do one Aussie show this year, this is the one to do!’ Crystal Morey – Gomineko Books

Rites of Passage 2012 has a great line up for all of you tattoo fans,  just to give you a taste of what’s to come we are giving you a sneak preview and announcement that both the infamous Shige (Japan) and Victor Portugal (Poland) will be attending and coming to Australia for the 1st time. Returning to the annual Rites of Passage Festival is Jeff Gogue and Nick Baxter (US).

Hang out with the worlds best tattoo artists over three days of entertainment from across the globe, if you thought this years show couldn’t get any better then join us 27th, 28th & 29th April 2012 for an even cooler show.

For all of you early birds, special tickets prices of $20 a day will be available online closer to the event and then $25 on the door.

This is a show for the artists and a show for the people. The new Rites of Passage team would like to thank you all as it wouldn’t be happening without you.

Watch this space as the count down for RITES OF PASSAGE 2012 has commenced.