Everyone has had the internal tattoo debate. Weeks of
indecision, a trip to Europe and a drunken night later, a girl is
stuck with a random squiggly line or Chinese symbol for the rest of
her life.
Marisa Carnesky, born and bred in Britain, did not debate long
about getting some body ink, attributing her first tattoo to her
rebellious adolescence. Debuting last night, “Jewess
Tattooess” runs this Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday
at 7 p.m. at the Macgowan Hall Little Theater.
“I got my first (tattoo) when I was 19. I was at a
university, so I was away from home,” Carnesky said. “I
had always been interested in punk, a little rebellious and into
alternative tattoos.”
Carnesky breaks with tradition in her show by contrasting her
Jewish background, which prohibits tattoos (considered a
desecration of the body), with her true identity. Besides giving
herself a tattoo on stage, Carnesky adds the extra shock value of
performing nude. Although her parents were not exactly thrilled
with the idea of ink all over their daughter’s naked body,
they remain supportive of her decisions and even attended a few of
her shows.
“When my parents come to my shows, they always say,
“˜Next time you do a show, why don’t you keep your
clothes on?'” Carnesky said. “They don’t
always understand the kind of lifestyle I’ve created for
myself. But I’m 32 ““ my parents don’t have that
much say.”
The performance showcases various films, monologues, dances and
a small portion where Carnesky tattoos the Star of David on herself
on stage. This last part might seem like the most radical, but
Carnesky explains that there’s a deep meaning behind the
act.
“I just want to open up the conversation in people’s
minds about how traditional religious ideas blend or conflict with
contemporary values,” Carnesky said. “The fact that
I’m Jewish and tattooed is kind of a metaphor for all young
women who come from different backgrounds with all kinds of
conflicts.”
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