Londoners queue to stick their arms through a hole for a surprise tattoo
LONDON -- LA-based tattoo artist Scott Campbell has a client list that includes the likes of Penelope Cruz, Heath Ledger, and Courtney Love.
Over the weekend, he came to London and offered to ink 15 randomly selected people -- completely free of charge.
But there was a catch.
As part of his "Whole Glory" project, individuals selected to receive a tattoo forfeit the right to give any input whatsoever into the design. (Check out the tattoos from the event in New York here.)
To ensure minimal contact, a wall with a small hole separates the artist from participants. However, Campbell told Mashable that a degree of subliminal communication does take place.
He explains, "When somebody puts their arm through here, I can't help but imagine who they are. The whole time I'm back here tattooing them, I create these stories in my head about who these people are. The tattoo that I do is tailored to that imaginary person.
"I feel like everybody gets the tattoo that they're supposed to have."
Participants are chosen through a daily lottery system announced every hour, and when Mashable arrived on the scene Friday, a massive queue of hopeful fans started at the Lazarides Gallery where the event was hosted and wrapped around the buildings through Covent Garden.
One lucky winner, Stephanie, had arrived in London just that morning on a flight from Barcelona. Despite having no professionally done tattoos, she and a friend showed up on a whim after seeing the event on Facebook. Just a few hours later, she found herself in the chair.
As Campbell remarks: "If you end up putting your arm through here, there are definitely a lot of stars that have aligned in order to make that happen."
Check out the ink from this weekend:
