I watched a movie tonight that posed some questions about art and it's true definition. The movie, titled Vicky Cristina Barcelona, held a ensemble of artists as it's main characters: a poet, a painter, a photographer, and an all-in-one writer, director, and actress. The poet refuses sharing his work with the world for he hates it and wishes to deprive them of his art. The painter is a Casanova that uses his skill and worldliness to seduce women.

I must admit, photography is an artistic medium that I never quite had the best understanding of. With painting or performance or music it's irrefutable that the effort that goes into these works requires a motive, an agenda to express a certain idea. But, by pressing a button to snap a picture, I didn't find it as straight-forward. To me, a picture in a gallery put side by side with a picture that had no artistic implication looked the same. Until I attended the John Wood exhibit at the International Center of Photography.

 Art, as defined by some, is the tangible expression of our views, passions, and talents. While this definition encompasses a large variety of pursuits, one that I find most interesting is tattooing. Although tattoos are viewed more today as unprofessional and more typical of young people, they have been around since ancient times. Past peoples have decorated their bodies with portrayals of their Gods, indications of their rank and social standing, and sentimental pieces with meanings only known to them. The latter, I find is the most beautiful.